They selected as their candidate their old chieftain,
General Grant. He was strong not only in the powerful support
of these great political leaders, but in the solid confidence
of the great Methodist denomination to which he belonged,
in the love of the old soldiers, in the memory of his great
public service, both in war and peace, and the general respect
of the whole American people. Against this was the unwritten,
but well-understood, rule of action by which the people had
been governed since the time of Washington, that no person
should be elected to the office of President for more than
two terms. Against him, also, was the feeling that his judgment,
which had been sound and unerring in the selection of fit
men for good military service, was very much at fault in choosing
men in whom he should confide in civil affairs. There was
a further feeling that the influence of unworthy politicians,
which had been powerful with him during his second term, would
be more powerful if he should go back to the Presidency with
their aid.
Mr. Blaine's old popularity had been increased in the four
years since his former defeat.
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