3 for the purpose of organizing the Irish vote. A second convention was held at Saratoga to devise means of disseminating among Irishmen the principles of the 4 Republican party. In urging the Irish Americans to vote Republican the leaders made use of the animosity with which they regarded Great Britain, saying that the Republican party stood for the policy of protection, as opposed to the Democratic policy, which was akin to that favored by the majority of the English; and that the Democratic campaign was being assisted by English capital and sentiment. 5 As the work of the various National Committees progressed campaign funds to pay the expenses incurred had to be raised. The Republicans in this matter had the advantage of a large body of office holders to assess, and since Garfield's attitude allowed partizanship full sway the campaign managers resorted, with 6 slight attempts at concealment, to make the most of this source of revenue. In a circular issued by the Republican National Committee all contributors were assured, "that such voluntary contributions from persons employed in the service of the United States will not be objected to 3. New York Tribune, July 15, 1880. 5. Ibid., Semi weekly, October 22, 1880; Can the Irish 6. Schurz, Reminiscences, III, p. 396. in any official quarter", and fixed the minimun acceptable amount of the "voluntary" contribution at two per cent of ry the office holder's annual salary. It appears that the funds from this source were forthcoming, although many Republicans, and naturally the out of office Democrats 8 thought this means should not be resorted to. Levi P. Morton, as chief financial agent of the Republican National Committee was in charge of the campaign for funds, and raised large amounts, especially in New York. 9 The Democratic National Committee was confronted with more difficulties in raising campaign funds that were the Republicans, and therefore had a smaller amount at their disposal. Humerous appeals for aid were sent out, but the entire sum spent by the Democratic National Committee in the campaign, as nearly as one can now establish it, appears to be approximately $355,000 as compared with The Greenback $1,100,000 spent by the Republicans. party in the 10. campaign issued a circular, in which it asked for individual contributions from one dollar 11 upwards. Before the Republicans could begin their campaign in earnest it was necessary, as we have seen, as we have seen, to appease the hostility of the Grant faction. This was far from 7. Stetson Hutchins, Political Manual for 1880, 8. Hation, July 1, 1880, p. 2; Hale, Political Assess- 9. New York Herald, December 18, 1882. 10. Congressional Record, C0th Cong. 1st Sess., Part 7, p. 6471. 11. New York Tribune, August 5, 1880. being an easy task. Their efforts culminated in the so called "Fifth Avenue Conference" held in New York 12 August 5th. The expressed object of the meeting was, "to have a general consultation and free interchange of views before beginning the more active work of the canvass." The object would have been more nearly stated had it been given as an appeal from the Garfield forces to the Stalwarts to forget the past and ctively support Garfield, since they felt that if this support was not forthcoming Garfield's candidacy was hopeless. The Republican National and Congressional Committees were to be present and invitations were sent to prominent Republicans all over the country, including the chairmen of the various state committees. Garfield wrote regarding his going to the conference as follows, "The trip to New York is greatly against my judgment. But, at last, the committee are nearly or quite unanimous that I ought to go. I will do nothing to compromise myself or the noble 14 men who stand up to the fight.", and "At their (the National Committee's) unanimous and urgent request, I have reluctantly consented to attend... 15 The conference was devised as the best means to give Garfield a reason for visiting New York, while it was 12. New York Tribune, August 6, 1880. 13. Ibid., July 31, 1880. 14. Hamilton, Elaine, p. 487. 15. Sherman, Recollections, II, p. 780. 13 |