The New York Herald Newspaper, June 15, 1876, Page 3

, 4 CINCINNATI —__.— . Scenes and Incidents at the Open- ing of the Convention, THE «MARCH 70 EXPOSITION HALL Music and Banners, Flowers and Decorations, Pomp and Circumstance. QUURTLY BEARING OF THE APRICAN DELEGATION Keynote of the Campaign as Indicated in the Speeches. ag POLITICAL MICAWBERS IN WAITING Final Preparations for the Great Battle To-Day. QCHEMING, COMBINING AND INTRIGUING. The Great Investigated Still in the Van. THE SITUATION AT MIDNIGHT. Crroimwatt, Ohio, June 14, 1876. Long before the hour fixed for the opening of the Convention the different bodies of delegates with their bands, and scattered groups and individuals who pre- lerred to make their way to the hall independently, began to move along the streets leading to the peasoup tolored Cincinnati Rhine, The street cars passed slowly along filled with passengers to the railings of the dashboards and bursting out at the four steps with ad- venturous hangers-on. The Cincinnati: horses, not baving tne expericnco of the Third avenue steeds, were evidently astonished and not very well satisfied with the unusual loads, and dragged them lazily slong, irresponsive to the lashes of the drivers. The main crowds mado theit way to the Convention along Elm street, and the several bands of music—all of them good ones—received the applause of the people gathered on the sidewalks and at the windows or lounging on the Rhine bridge, enjoying the fragrance of italop, as they passed along, playing popular airs, ® A STREET OF BANNERS. Elm street, the principal avenue to the Convention, bad been evidently taken possession of by the Bristow men, for on every second or third block ‘banner hung from a rope stretched Across the street from house to houso, bedring Bristow’s name with a number of, variations. On one appeared “Bristow and Succes: on another, ‘‘Bris- tow and Victory ;” on a third, “Bristow and Reform:” enafoarth, “Bristow and Honesty,” and so on through Q variety of changes. These banners are said to have deel pplied from the funds of the Bristow Reform Club, and show that the highly respectable gentlemen ee idle and are still in field. A Conkling delegate, as he passed under this archway of banners, remarked, dryly, ‘‘That if the Bristow peo- ple did not succeed im getting their candidate’s name on the ticket they.had managed to get iton the flags.” “But,” said he, “they bave associated him with too many Vice Presidents. Here it 1s ‘Bristow and Suc- tess,’ there ‘Bristow and Reform,’ and.over there he funs with ‘Victory,’ ‘Honesty’ anda lot of other fel- lows, I don’t believe this scattering of his strength among so many different Vice Presidents is likely to belp him.” COLORED DELEGATES OX THE MARCH. The colored delegates marched along the streets im a Ddody, mostly bearing the Morton bade and all ornamented with as many ribbons as they could consistently sport. Yhey were cheered as they marched past by admiring crowds, and the whites of the eyes of bundreds of ebony damsels flashed upon them with pride ana exultation. The African statesmen, erectly dignified and perspiring, evidently folt their importance, and, a8 they glanced from side to side, it could be seen on their countenances that thoy were resolved to devote their abilities to the service of the party which had raised them from degradation and suffering to honor and happiness’ The Pennsylvania delegation, pre- teded by a good brass band, made a handsome appear- auce on the march, being almost all fine looking men. Their badge is the most showy one in the Conven- Mon—a broad, long crimson silk band bearing in the sentre a inedallion portrait of tne handsome Hartranft, ind the words ‘Ponnsylvania Delegation”? in gold let- ters arched above and below it, ‘The Now York delegation were carly on the scene of detion, the main body leaving the Grand Hotel at dleven o'clock, while the leaders slipped off on their own hook, The members of the Bristow Reform Club Arove ieisurely up to the hall in carriages, somewhat late, and apparently not suffering from the heat,. aithoagh all provided with fans. The arrangements , lor entering the ball of the Convontion were made with much care and judgment, and all crowding, which was to inconvenient at the Greeley Convention four years Ago, was avoided, <A large number of gentlemen, who ook part in that Convention and are now hero waiting jor something to turn up, including Ex-Govervor Fenton, John Cochrane, General Palmer, Genoral Merritt, Waldo Hutchings, Benjamin Manterre, Morgan L Filkins, William T. Ashman, William M. Grosvenor and othors were loud in their praise of the improvement, INSIDE THR BUILDING, One thorough!y satisfactory feature of the Convon- tion is the hall, In Teutonic cities ono may always find enormous bits of space rooied over, and commonly devoted to festive purposes. Thousands of ponderous Teutons assemble at such places to reiresh themselves with beer on the summer nights, to enjoy the exhilara- Woo of monster concerts and to trip the light fantastic toe in frosty weather, Ove of these well lighted, well Ventilated and roomy edifices is the Convention Hall, Its ground area is not far short of an acre. Tho barons who assembled tn couvention at Runnymedo or the German warriors who met on the Rhine in Geids of May to choose a new rulor could scarcely have spread themselves over a larger field, aud if they bad veen Footed in as the Convention is they would have beard ue another ali the better. s . TUK MALL AND TUE SCENE. 1m its general architectural features the hall resem- bles a gigantic railway station with the cars run out and temporary seats in their places; or the sketch of @ grand cathedral set up in rows of timber pillars, whieh assist to support the root and divide the nave from the aisles on either side, At a point not far from the middle of this central space or a: is the platiorm and place of the presiding officer, raised about lour {eet from the floor, Behind the presiding oflcer are rows of seats that mount nearly to the roof. These scate command « splendid view of the ball, while every person placed here is meidle from nearly every part of the edifice. Here were seatod the invited guests, distinguished vis- Mora and favored persons of the public generally. Many ladics were there. The reform elub und the Conkling clubs showed advantageously from thie “eoigne of vantage” and the scene was woll varied with the faces of those whom the hotel waiters call the col- Ored statesmen, for such of them as are not delegates were seated there. The galleries on eituer side run the whole tongth of the building, while at the lower end it (Ww erossed by a main gallery or organ loft without an | eupplied more or less exhilaration meanwhile. organ. In this place, however, was the brass band be- fore alluded to which supplied what was no doubt es- teemed most appropriate music. On the floor of the hall the space for about ten feet in front ot the plat- form, cross the whole building, was given to the press, Below this and for the distance of fifty feet, perhaps, the space across the edifice was occupied by delegates, and all the space beyond that was given to the pubdlic, though none were admitted oxcept with tickets, Ail the gallery room was also given the pub- lie, with the same limitation, Under the galleries on both sides, hidden by the ascending grades of seats that were bebind the Chairman, wero the instruments and operators of the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany, and the words spoken from the Chairman's place or addressed to him had scarcely ceased to rever- berate in the hali before they clicked again on the lit- tle telegrapnic pianos and reverborated over tho whole country. ‘TUE DECORATIONS. All the space im the vault of the lofty roof was filled with color, mostly supplied by the useful Star Spangled | Banner, Asapeople we are, perbaps, not gratctul enough to our grand and glorious old standard for the wonderful way in which it lends itselt to decorative effect. From every supporting pillar protruding fiugstaffs bore the pendant colors and filled the spaco with the light and the brilliancy of the flag which, perbaps, rained the infivence of its imspiration ow the delegates and the people below, Some rather tawdry additional decorations consisted of cloth drawn {row pillar to pillar im featoons that were iniended to be red, white and blue, but were whito, blue and choco- late color, which, perhaps, is not to be taken as a hint that the republican party proposes to improve the national tri-color with a deeper hue than red, Access was easy, for there were five entrances, the pubho, the delegates, the invited guests and the roporters each entering at different points. Thero was consequently no struggling, nor discussion, nor crowd, por trouble, All went smoothly and easily; everybody kept his temper and found his place, and the band “Hai Co.umbia” was given and received in silence, so was ths “Star Spangled Banner,” but “Yankee Doodle” provoked a popular demonstration of satisfaction, By noon the galleries and the seats forthe invited guests were filled and throbbed and trembled and fluttered with the rapid movement of fans, All the pine tables in front of the platiorm were crowded with busy cor- respondents closing periods up, and nearly all tho delegates were im their places, THE GAY PARTERAE. There was a large capacity for generalization in the mind of the’man wbo imagined the way in which to indicate the place of delegations, He contemplated the whole’ ground. pian of the hall as a gardener con- templates the piota in which he has put his choico seeds, ang he marked in a similar way the spots that wore to sprout with thelr treasures, Uncompromising, | upright, slonder rods of pino arose all over, and at the pinuacio of cach one was a white ticket with a name jn pisck letters, and the name of every single State or Territory was on one or another of those tickets, Here was located the rare little plant Rhode Island, there was to bloom the wanflower, Pennsylvania, and between the two New York. This thin forest of rods somewhat embarrassed the vye as one glanced over the hall, bat the imstructrve use- i fulness of this contrivance compensates for minor defects, From the platiorm the scene was pic- turesque and effective, and as the eye rose to the lofty roof, filled with thé pendant banners, there was even an element of grandear in the case, but it was soon perceived that this effect is doarly purchased, for the voice that is to fill all that lofty space before it can make. iteelf considerably felt in the chairman’s ear must be ono of extraordi- nary volume. Indeed the voice of an orator out on the floor is like the ‘voice of one crying in the wilder- ps this may preserve us from some im. THR ENTRY OF THE COLUMN. ' As the delegates marched into this well-erranged hall the people, who already filled the galleries and tn- vited visitors’ soats, sent up cheer after cheer, the en- thusiasm being gauged by the popularity of the candi- dates indicated by the banner and the badges of the several detachments, It was at once noticeable that although it might De presumed that Obio citizens formed the main body ‘of the audience, the principal cheering was for Blaine representatives. At this time the galleries were well filled, and the visitors’ seats, at the back ofthe jiailirm, arranged im rising order, con- tained about half. laad, For the information of those who attended the Greeley Convention, four years ago, it may be stated that the stage upon which the Presi- dent and officers appeared was moved about fifty fect forward from the back of the building, and the rear space was occupied by seats arranged circus fashion, The New York delegation, as it entered the hall, received somo applause, but not nearly so much as tho delegations representing Pennsylvania and Ohio, ‘There was but little confusion in the seating of the several divisions—the delegates, tho alternates, the press, the invited visitors and the general public—in consequence of the good arrangements as to ingress and ogress, and before the hour of twelve arrived all was in good order inside the hall. PRAYING 1M THE CONVENTION, The first business in order was the offering of a prayer and the asking of a Divine blessing ov the work of the Convention, The solemnity of this portion of the ceremony was somewhat impaired by the constant moving about of delegates, the ceaseless ticking of the telegraphic instruments, made more audible by the cessation of other sounds, and tho buzzing of wkjspered conversations. Governor Mor- gan’s opening address was delivered in a weak voice, scarcely audible beyond the Grat half-dozen rows of delegates’ benches. It was listened to as far as it could be heard with apparent attention, bat without enthusiasm, and with an impatience that could scarcely be concealed, although applause was occasionally elicited by some of its sentences. Before the Gover- nor had concluded his words were rondered still more inaudible by the ill-jadged playing of a brass band just outside the building, and-he cloaed with a round of faint applause, . THR TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION. The nommation of Theodore N. Pomeroy, of New York, as temporary chairman of the Convention was received with applause by the New York delogates and ‘a few others, and his appearance upon the platform made the ovation more general, Mr. Pomeroy is an earnest and forcible speaker, bat bis personal appearance 1s not greatly in his favor, He is short of stature and shghuy built, with very black bair and corresponding mustache and chin whiskers, which do gross injustice to the wearer Mf they are pet dyed. le wears spoctacies, and his face would look old but for the redeeming fact of its ques- tionable hirsute ornaments, He ts appurently about forty-Ove years of age, His opening address was a happy one, and his voice, stronger than Governor Mor- gan’s, reached tolerably well over the hall, Thero was nothing striking, however, in the speech, His expresmon, that ao platform was buoyant enough to fSoat an unworthy candidate, eli- cited an outburst of applause from the States wapposed to be opposed to Mr. Biaine. But the tables wore almost instantly turned when the New York ex- Congressman deciarcd that no candidate could be con- sidered unworthy who, in the words of the apostie of old, could say, “I have fought the good fight; I have kept the faith.” The cheers of the anti-Biaine States were at this point returned to them with iaterest, but 1 Mr. Pomeroy soov after anited the enthusiasm of the Convention by the declaration that it was in the power of the Convention to nominate the next Presi- dent of the United States, a sentimeat which allin office or hoping (or office could indorse. The forveat amens which followed the declaration proved the heartiness with which it was rosponded to by all Another point made by the speaker was nis indorsement of the order of Presi- dent Grant, “Let oo guilty man escape," and when be added, ‘‘That order vas been executed,” be brought down the house. Mr. Pomeroy was at tirea in » biadk with a white vest and white ueck- tie, and presented a somewhat clerical appearance. “Tue OLD soLDiEE,” At the close of Mr. Pomeroy’s speech a venerable gentleman on crutches arose im bis seat and nominated General Hirsch for Sergeant-at-Arms of the Con- vention, and as he backed up bis motion by the statement that his candidate was covered all over with honorable scars, and, as ihe General was at once elected, it becamo evident that the old soldier was not w be forgotten or overlooked in this Convention. A BLACK RYE YOK NEW YORK. New York received a black eye through the hasty action of Mr, Silas B Dutchor in offering a resolution to reconsider tbe rule of yhe republican conventions, giving delegates trom the Territories @ vote on the Bomination of President and Vice President, Mr. Cesena, of Pennsylvania, immediatety moved to lay the motion on the table, which was agreed to by large majority, leaving upow the audience the impres- sion that Pennsylvania and New York were not pre- pared to act in harmony, and that New York had got worsted in the first round, BAD MANAGEMENT. A parliamentary blunder was made ip thecommence- ment of the procecaings by the singular omission of the call of the roll, owing to which tie Convention had no official mnformation as to what tates were contested. ‘The error was mado manifest wi he motion for the appointment of members of th several committees by States was offered, but the cificulty was Gnally surmuunted by leaving the States in which there were contests out in the cold until the permanent orgeniza- ton BUNCOMBE RxSOLUTIONS Im all conventions ambitious delegates are to be found who write out startling resolutions iu the privacy ol thetr own chambers; eonceal them in their pockets and bring them ‘nto the liall with the intention to spring them suddenly on the Convention and astonish the world, The present Convention was not an excep- | tion to others In this respect. Two such resolutions wore offered, which had, no doubt, cost their authors enormous labor to compose, and which were sum- marily laid to rest by a crue! motion to refer them to the Cemmitteo on Resolutions, where they will sleep the sleep, ka 4¥ INTERESTING INTZAMISBION, After the several committees had been appointed and had retired {rom the hall, and after the band had dis- coursed some excellent music the speech- making fever seized upon the Convention, and calls long and loud wore made on the best knowa oratore who Bappened to be present. At this point Judge Dittenhoeter, of N. York, rose and in a neat speech presented to tho Con- vention the resolutions of the German Convention, which wero received in good spirit and properly re- ferrod, after which the calls for speakers was resumed more noisily than ever. MR CURTIS’ UEMONSTRATION, When Mr. Gcorgo William Curtis rose to say that he wished to submit the addross of the Republican Reform Club of New York to the Convention, he was received with a storm of applause and a general cry of “To the plattorm.”” He read with a clear voice and made himself beard all over the hall, Tbe docu- ment be read did not mince matters, and it was « very good test of the sentiment of the Convention. When be spoke of specie payments there was loud aud genoral applause, That sentiment was heartily received all over the hall When he spoko of civil service roform the applause was less loud and not general. Wheu he read the declaration in tho ad- dress that the promise of civil service reform had been broken by tho President and Congress the ap- plause was slim, and the trenchant blow at the Sena- tor from New York as the dispenser of patronage in the State was dubiously received. The Con- vention by this time bad evidently made up {ts mind that Mr. Curtis might turn out to bo adisturber of harmony, and the suggestions for the platform, with which the paper ho read closed, re- ceived but limited applause. As be closed there was a general and generous burst of applause, evidently meant for him personally, and cries fora speech from him; bat he sat down, and the proceedings went on, other speakers being rapidly called for. SPEECH OF LOGAX, ‘The first of these was General Logan, who was re- ceived with loud and tumultuous applause, and was evidently the favorite of a large part of the Conven- tion—the West ang South, It used to bo said of Gen- eral Logan during the war that he was never so happy as when bo was sitging Rally rouna the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battie cry of freedom ; and this is substantially what he did, and with great success, before the Convention this afternoon, when he declared for liberty, equality and the enjoyment of all rights in safety; -when he demanded, with flerce- ness, that the government should protect the Ameri- can citizen not only abroad, but at his home; when he sad that a government which allows the humblest citizen ‘to be murdered, robbed or deprived of his rights is no govern” ment. At each of these utterances the Convention broke out into wild and tumultuous applause, but tho wildost and most prolonged cheers were raised wheo be asserted that the men who had fought against tne country wefe now trying to assassinate the claracters of the friends of the Union and of the most eminent of them. At this he was intorrupted by immense cheers, He demanded that mon should be nominated who would execute the laws, and, turning apparently to Mr. Curtis and other persons on tue stage, ho said that he disliked to have it said that the party could elect some onemanend coulda not elect anvther. ‘lt can elect whoever is nominated by this Convention,” at which again there were wild cheers. In conclusion, he spoke of people who were gencpally dissatisfied, and urged a good platform and candidates. GENERAL HAWLEY'S REMARKS. To him succeeded General Hawley, who did not make an eminent success, the Convention being in no humor for applauding a Cassandra. He warned it that suc- cess was by uo means as sure as General Logan pre- dicted, and spoke very sensibly on specie payments andthe necessity of careful and good nomination. When he said, “Don’t talk about paying your debta— do it,” it became evident, by the gloomy silence with which this sentiment was received, that the debtor class has a considerable representation in the Conven- tion. BX-GOVERNOR xOYES came next, and spoke so effectively that he carried the Convention with him in his demands for the nomina- tion of one who not only knew what is right but dare to do it, and for the expulsion of rascals irom the party. So far three Bristow men had spoken, Messrs, Cur- tis, Hawley and Noyes, and one anti-Bristow man, General Logan, There were again cries for Curtis, but the MIOMLAND GARNETT, colored, was summongd, aud spoke feelingly of the losses the poor {reedmen had suffered by the raseally management of the Precdmen’s Bank. There was something comically malapropos in this, 14 was talk. ing of a rope in the house of a man whose father was hanged, and an irreverent listener asked if Mr. Garnett ought not to he hooted down as the assassin of the pri- vate character of the administration's most intimate friends, When he ciosed there were cries for Inger- soll, of Illinois, and for Corts and Hoar, but an aged gentleman (Mr. Howard, of Michigan.) spoke, and to bim succeeded Frederick Douglass, who suggested that the freedmen had received nothing with their liberty, and fog a few minutes was believed to be about to pre- sent a specifie claim for ‘forty scres and « mole.” Happily, he did nut carry matters so far. When he sat down the Convention was fully organized. The por- manent chairman, Mr. McPherson, long clerk of the House of Represoutatives and the entagouist ef Mr. Dov Cameron on the Peunsylvanian delegation, mades brief address, and body adjourned. Wat THE OXGAXIZATION IxDICATER, ‘Tho organization of the Convention has some singa- lar features, It i¢ substantially iv the bands of Mr. Biaine’s trionds, the permanent chairmaa, Mr. McPbersou, being one of bis moat sealous adherents, and the Committee oo Credentials being also controliea by Biaino’ influences -« This last «circumstance gives Blaine important advantage, as) =«6about thirty votes are ju d@spate, & prize worth a struggic. Bas the choice of Mr. McPherson as per ent chairmau has’ a more in- | teresting aspect still. He was one of the two leaders in the Pennsylvania del mi who opposed theciselycs to the determination of Mr. Don Cameron. The strug- gle has been oxger un both sides and the victory rested with the opponents of Mr. Cameron. He was obliged to make terms and now ho secs the Convention elect his successiul antagonist te be ite hes& Tho circumstance is likely to intensify whatever straggic may yet come in the Ponnsy!vania delegation, but it | would seem likely to increase the power and influence of its mombers who have opposed Mr, Camoron’s will. not casy to foresee, because the situation is too complicated; but it will havo also tts after offect upon Penntylvania politica, ag is vory evident here, A SIGNIFICANT RULE PROPOSED. The Committee on Rules huve agroed to report a rulo to-morrow prohibiting any its voie pending the announcem: rule Is totended to prevent changes from wide to side ly stroug. Ibis not at all cer- 1 be adopted, Certainly is will occasion a lively struggle. TUK MARD MOYEY TROUBLE. ‘The Committee on Resolutions—Goneral Hawley, of Connecticcgt. presiding, and Charles & Smith of Albany, acting as secretary—mot at Aug’s Club House this eveving and remained in session at eleven o'clock. The hitch in framing the platform is on the dnancial question, Ex-Attorney General Speed, of Kentucky; ex-Governor Dingley, of Maine; Mr. George H. Bigelow, of Vermont, and Mr. Edward J. Pierce, of Massachusetts, were for hard money and resumption. Richard Thomp” of Indiana, Charles B. Farwell, of Chicago, and R. + Vanharn, of Missouri, were opposed to the resuinp, idea, and argued strongly against the adoption of resolution looking that way. There has been con- Unucd debate over this point, and the commitice ‘threatened to romain in session al) night, NEW YORKKRS EXASPKRATKD. In the New York delegation the address was read by Mr. Curtis, and yet more, the fact that Mr, Curtis read it had an extraordinarily exasperating effect. During the reading the delegation sat grimly silent, but after tho Convention adjourned there was much bitter com- ment and oven a demand that im the Convention to- morrow somo one shall reply to Mr. Curtis and defend Sewator Conkling. If this should be done, thero would @ceur a very singular scene. * 4 CHANCK FOR COXKLIXG. ‘Pnlese Blane is nominated on thy second ballot Conkling has a chance. To-nigbt all parties are making efforts to effect a combination which shall prevent Bilaine’s nomination on tho second ballot, on the con- sideration that he will then break, which each think will give bim a chance, and which will Feally give it, I have reason to belicve, to Conkling. But the Biaino men are on their guard, and may be able to defeat the move. Hayes has been gathering up his forces, and 1 seo some reason to believe that ho will cast them to Blaine in caso be shall seo that acom- ‘Dimation is made which would leave him out. It looks, therefore, like either Blaine or Hayes, and yet I see contingencies in which Conkling may come in, and hig men confident and very secret, This ta the situa- tion at eight o’clock. YOICK OF THE PROFLE Contradictory indications naturally abound. One New York delegate said :— “I don’t know what's the matter in my State, but I havo had twenty telegrams to-day urgiig me to vote for Blaine.” On the other hand, a Vermont delegate reports that Mmfluential ropublicans in every part of the country are sending remonstrances declaring thut the nomination of Blaine will destroy every hope of success, ‘THM BITUATION, While the streets are full of the masio of deafening brags bands and the hotels arc crowded with people, whose anxiety aod excitement are perceptibly increas- ing, tue leading politiciang are closeted in secret con- ferences, discussing the situation and dovising possi- ble aud tmpossible combinations, Blaine is acknowledged to be so strong thut the nateral impulse of all his opponents is to unite against him, but their interests are all so singularly opposed thst an alliance which shall not sacrifice one or the other of tho allies igdifficult, The Bristow men, to tako thei first, are detormined to defeat both Blaine and Conkling. They cannot, therefore, help neither, nor can they expect Delp from Conkling against Blaine. They have ‘boon ready, it is said, to combine with Morton, but In this alliance, as both are Western men, one or tho other must lose, Nor are they moro happily mtuated im regard to Hayes. Their problem is, therelore, to @efeat both Conkling and Blaine, and to get Eastern Strength todo it Unless they toss Mr. Bristow him- selt overboard itis not easy to say what they can ac- complish, and it does not seem a pleasant way to begin a voyage by dismissing the captain of the ship. The Morton men are no more happily situated, They cannot lend their forces to Conkling. They caa- not combine with cithor Hayes or Bristow, because all are Western men. As to Mr. Conkling ho is the phynx of the canvass. His supporters are not anxious to make alliances; they keep thoir secrets with the ‘utmost care, and they profess themselves suro of Mr, Conkling’s nomination if Mr. Blaine is not nominated on the second ballot, Of course the Blaine position attacked from all sides, is necessarily insecure; but there arc rumors of Blaino alliances which are to guard against emergencies, and of allies, who do not mean to appear unless they seo victory falling on gomo other man, and who will then turn to Biaine, not because they want him, but bdecauso they preter him to somebody olse. Such ailies are dangerous because they may delay too long. Meantine.the device of persuading or imfluencing tt to desert temporarily from one candidate to another, as also compromises looking to hold back tho vote of gome delegations, are belug tried, and such plots as theso may seriously embarrass the calculations of several candidates, Under those circumstances no result can be foreseen this evening, Blaine may fail, and Conkling may sweep in ona sudden tide, or an entirely new name may turn up; or Hayes may rweep the Convention, The dark horse has still a chance. BLAINE BADLY DAMAGED. FROM A VOLUNTEER CORRESPONDENT. Civcinxati, June 14, 1876. Blaine carried everything to-day. McPherson’s elec- tion was intended asa direct defiance of Cameron. It makesa breach in the machinery of the republican party in Pennsylvania, which, in the event of Blaine’s nomination, mkes it doubtful if ho can carry that State Having beaten Conkling through Cameron to-night, Blaine men made a raid om Morton by rejecting the Spencer delegation, This was done by the vote of Territories, each Territory having as great power in commitice as a State, This shows the absurdity of allowing Territo- ries to vote, Morton men aro up in arma, and will carry te fight Into the Convention. I think the course of the Blaine mon to-day insures bis dofeat and means Hayes, Blaine’s managers are gcared, and are man@u. vring to put Bristow on their ticket as Vico-President- Thero is no hope for Conkling. Tho Logan defection caps the climax. SECRETARY BRISTOW'S FRIENDS. RNTHUSIASTIO MEETING LAST MIGHT—SPKECHES BY DELEGATES—THE NEW YORK BEVORM CLUB GERENADED—RICHARD SMITH ON THS SITUATION. Crscixuati, June 14, 1870 Another enthusiastic Bristow meeting was held to-night at Pike’s Opera House, at which u large and intelligent audience was present, and this, too, in spite of the meetings elsowhere and the distracting tonden- cies of various processions, headed by brass bands passing through the streets, ~ \Fhe drat speaker was od MR. P. A. CHADBOURNE, OF MABRAORUDKTTS, who dwelt at some length on the necessity of the re- form of the republican party. He looked upon plat- forms as out of the question at the present time It ‘was men who were wanted, and aot generalities th: sparkled and glittored, bat were too often but vain and empty talk. He thought tho prejudios against electing & President south of Mason and Dixon’s line should be relegated to the past as one of the relics ef darkness. It had been said that Bristow was too young and had vot been in office long enough, but bis record im office showed that he was capabie, honest and efficient, and that hould be re- warded with a louger term of offea In him the country beheld the unfaltering my of ring ru! bis election would drive from the party this very cle ment aud draw to it the best vicmonts of the foating vote In his inmost heart the speaker believed Bristow was the only man now proiminentiy before the peoplo who would unite all the elements of op- position, Tho republican party could not dare to go beiore the country with a man who would not draw to their ald the honest mou of the nation. (Applause). Governor Chamberlin, of Svath Caroinua, was ox- pected to speak, but was detained by coimmities work and unable to be present The meeting was next addressed by Colonel William u. Goodlie, of Lexington, Ky., who paid am eloquent tribute to Genoral Bristow's record as @ soldier and a public servant, General Bristow, he said, belonged to the whole nation, His mame belonged 10 the peopia and itwes the peopio’s fight. (Applause) General Bristow, wi viewed as a soldier Oghting for the Union, ss @ District Attorney in Kentucky making war upen the Ku Klux, of as the Sceretary of the Treasury waging «no uncompromising, incessaat war against ibe whiskey ring, was a man Which filled the popular idea of av hon. est, capable officer, dewerving of the highest place in the joa, The Convention bad the power to nomi- nate tim, and the poople would certainly clect bim. ‘The vilitying of personal character during the heat of the canvass was peculiarly the weapon of the deme. cratic party. ‘be iriends of Bristow, whilo, of course, workmg carnestly in his behall, wero wot so wedded 10 bim that they would not support and work for any candidate the Couvention in its wisdom should see Gt (to nominate; but. aveakiag of tho NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET. Bristow men and ali others who were in favor of honesty im the public service, the speaker would ask the Convention to give them a man whom they would not have todefend, but with whom they could use all their power in attacking the enemy. (Applause.) SERESADES. The meeting then adjourned and proceeded to the Gibson House, where they serenaded the New York Relorm Club; thence to the Burnett House, where they serenaded Senator Harlan, and finally to the Grand Hotel, where they called out George Wilham Curtis. RICHARD SMITH CALLED FOR, During the evening one of the bands of music stopped in front of the Gazette oflice and serevaded it, A large crowd were attracted, and calls being made for Richard Smith he came to one of the windows om the | second floor and spoke as follows:— Fei.ow Crruexs—I hardly {eel like venturing to undertake to make a speech with this crowd, where there 1@ so much noise and confusion, | am a little luke General Cass was when they wanted him to make @speech at Cleveland on tho question of barbor and river improvements, which was a disputed issue in the politics of those days, This is rather a critical time to make a speech in the midst of a Coavention which is called together for the purpose of nominating a candi- date for tho Presidency. 1 suppose you would all like me to tell you who is going to be nominated, but that w just what I havo been trying to find out (Laughter), and I find that the more I learn the less I know. At the last accounts all the candidates were very considerably ahead. [bere are about 1,500 delegates counted up all together, but un- forvunately for’ them there aro, only 753 in the Convention, Fellow citizens, I regard this as a criti- cal time in tho life of the great and grand republican party, but I do not propose to speak to-night for men, but for the cause, Lesteem the cause far above the men, The success of the republican party in the ap- proaching contest is of far more consequence to me | than the success of any man, and I only consider a man in so far as he may be instrumental in leading the great party to victory. I feel perfectly satistied in my own mind and Ido not want to hurt the fechngs of any gentleman who may have his preferences, tor we all have aright to our preference; { do not want to hurt the feelings of anybody, but it occurs to me that there al ndidates now prominent before the Republican Convention whose election, if nominated, would be cx- ceedingly dificult it not impossible. On the other bund, there are candidates whose nomination would, m my opinion, jead to certain success. ‘That Veing the case, it scoms to me that the Conven- tion, which ought to be the representative body of the republican party, should take no risks. I feel satisfied that, with Benjamin H. Bristow as our candidate, t would bo no risk ut all. (Applause.) If they are not Satisfied with Bristow, give us Hayes. (Loud cheers ) If they cannot unite on Hayes, let them give us the wor Governor of Indiana. 1 am satisfied with either of these three gentlemen, and there aro twenty others whom I could name, who may be nominated, against whom nothing 18 to be said, But it soems to me the duty of this Con- | vention is to ascertain and give to the people the man that they demand, who shall lead as to victory and not risk defeat. If such a one sball be nominated he will be clected as the next President «f the United States, I thank you, gentlemen, tor your attention. ”? MR. BLAINE’S HEALTH. & BAPID AND CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT—A BIDE OUT WITH SECRETARY FISH. Wasurnatox, Juno 14, 1876. Mr. Blaine continued to improve rapidly during the | day. In the morning his physician made the following statement :— ‘The reality of yesterday's reaction ix fully secured, Mr. Blaine has had a good night, and feels’ very much retreshed this morning, He says he feels better and relishes bia food better than be'ore he was taken sick. It requires the stern medical authority of physicians to prevent him from at once resuming his usual occupa- tion, J. 8 VERDI, ML D. At noon Mr, Blaine was engaged conversing with bis private secretary, and calmly discussed the situa- tion at Cincinnati as presented by the latest telegrams. The physicians no longer thought it necessary to keep up a constant attendance on thojr patient. Mr, Blaine had an excelient appetite and was allowed to eat almost anything he desired, Dr. Bliss stated, between eleven and twelve o’olock this morning, that Mr. Bla'ne’s recovery 1s complete, and that nothing put prudential considerations provent him from going out of the house to-day, : A RIDE ovT. At six o’clock this evening ex-Speaker Blaine took a drive of several miles with Secretary Fish in on open carriage, passing through a number of ‘public squares: ‘and stroets of the city whore his appearance excited much congratulatory comment. He'was out about half an hour, After he returned hevato dinner with bis famtly, road the evening papers and spent an hour or two in conversation with friends and rolatives. Dr, Pope called at nino o’clock and after expressing him- self entirely satisfied with the appearance and condition of his patient, remarked that thero was no objection to Mr, Blaine’s going out again to-morrow morning. Mr, Blaine then retired to rest and at half- past nine P, M. was sleeping quietly. CONGRATULATIONS. Among the very numerous telegrams received by Mr. Blaine to-day from ail parts of the country congratu- lating bim on his convalescence and bis prospects gen- erally, was one from the Spanish Minister, now in New York, amd several from friends in the mountains of California, BLAINE'S INVESTIGATORS. & DEMOCRAT ON HIS POSSIBLE NOMINATION— CUBIOUS STORY ABOUT THE CALDWELL DE- SPATCH—THB INVESTIGATION TO BE RE- OPENED AT AN EARLY DAY. Wasninaton, June 14, 1876. A conspicuous democratic politician here denies that the statement mado emong the democrats that they hope Mr. Blaino will be tho republican nominee js in- dulged in for effect. he says they ero in earnest about it, as a large portion of the republican party will be estranged from its adherence to it thereby, espe- cially such men as General Banks and the element he Tepresents. General Banks is represented to havo said thatit Mr. Blaine is nominated the republicans cannot carry Massachusetts. An ugly butas yet un- substantiated charge is made that the House Judiciary Committees is in possession of reliable information that the . CALDWELL DESPATCH was sent from Philadelphia to Londoa and paid for at the former place. The person who engineered it has been discovered through a telegraph operator, and the House Judiciary Committee had s long seaston to-day on the subject, but every member was pledged to se- cresy. Mr. Hurd, of the committes, is to assume tho defence of ite chairman, Mr. Proctor Knott, and dis- pose of the Caldwell cablegram ip that connection. As Mr. Blaine is represented by bis physicians te be so nearly well to-night, the committee intend to summon him before it atan early day. Mr. Hurd will, perhaps, Feopen the question this weok if 1 is felt that by so doing no risk of a sheck to Mr. Blaine’s health will be incurred. The opinion prevails here to-day that a combination will be made in Oincinaat against Blaine, aad resait in (he compromise nomination of Hayes or Wheeler. THE DEMOCRATS’ BUGABOO. WHAT THEY MOLD WHEREWITH TO DEMOLISH BLAINE IF HY 18 NOMINATED. Wasninoron, June 14, 1876 Washington was s0 wrapped up in the progress of evonte at Cincinnati to-day that little or no business was done at the Capitol. The telegraph companies posted half-nourly bulletins in the Speaker’s lobby and in the hallway at the main entrance, around which crowds were gathered all day. The Senate was pot in session, & the session of the House was for debate only on the Army Appro- priation bill, Bulletins were also posted up re} porting the progress of Mr. Biaino’s convalescence, which has beon so rapid that he was ablo to accept an jovVitation to go out for a short ride this evening with Secretary Fish. DEMOCRATS TURKATENIXO BLAINE. In connection with the candidacy of Mr, Blaine Yeading democrats continued to assert t.day that they are in possessi. f something very damaging about him, Au eftort was made to ferret out what this ouga- boo is, but those who were approached about it ad- mitted their belief in its existence and ite damaging character, but were unwilling te describe it further than to say that i i @ letter in Mr. Blaine’s own handwriting, the possessor of which, « member of Congross, left town with it in his keeping three or four days ago. They also vat ie was the intention of the demoerate to have it litho. graphed as a cxmpaign document. This isas much as can be gathored about the matter to-night, and is given simply for woat it ts worth, Were it not for the prom- ‘nent position ia the House of the gentiemen who gave Witerance te what bas been detaiind above concerning TS this mysterious letter the whole thing would not Rave merited a second thought. ee PROC ‘DINGS OF THE CONVENTION, Crxcixxatt, June 14, 1876, The Sixth National Convention of the republican party met bere at noon to-day in the Exposition Build. tng. ‘The attendance, greater than at any previous gathering of the party, embraced the most noted mea in its ranks, who cither sat upon the floor as delegates or as guests of honor upon the raised platform tn the rear of tho presiding officer, To those who had vot attended tho Convention held four years ago in Phila delphia, the number of colored delegates present caused some surprise. Among them were Congress- men or ex-Congressmen from South Carolina, Alabama und other Southern States, Tho delegates were admir- ably grouped upon the floor, facing the platiorm. The solid mass of New York men occupied the left centre, On their right wero the New England Stator, formed in single file, Maine at the head and Rhode Island in the rear with lowa immediately bebind her, To tne left of New York and fronting the stage was Indiana, and bebind her the Morton men of Tennessee, Missin sippl and Georgia, To the left again came Ke: sucky and the Carolinas with Virginia bringing up the rear, Tho extreme left flank was allotted to the white hatted Pennsylvanians, who camo to fight for Hartraoft. The right flank fell to thé lot of Ohio, Behind were placed in the ordet of merit, IMinois, Michigan aud Wisconsin, The Terrk torial delegates, and those from some of the petty States, were tucked away in the rear, whorover they could be used to utilize some of the waste plot of ground, The hall in which the Convention assembled thi¢ morning 18 an immense frame structure, with a seating capacity of at least 7,000, The building was erected iu 1870 for the Saengerfest held in this city during the fob lowing summer, The fall of the year witnessed the inaw guration of the Cincinnati Exposition, which has been since held yearly in tho building. In 1872 the halt was formally dedicated to political purposes by the Greeley Convention and bas sinco been used for va rious political demonstrations, tho last of which was the Democratic State Convention of Ohio, four weeks ago. Thearrangements have apparently been made with a view to the capacities of the human voice. The platform is located near the centre of the hall and raised about six fees above tho level of the floor, The Chairman’s desk is decorated with a muslin wrapper and ornamented on the eastern face with a glory in red, white and blue muslin, In the rear of the platiorm, rising by easy stages to the level of the balconies, are seats for 700 or 800 invited guests, among whom are a number of ladies. A space fifteen feet in width, extendi: along the fuce of the plattorm, is set apart for the use of the press, In the rear of this the delega- tions are placed in an enclosure, separated by u rail from tne body of the hull, ‘The positiou of each dole- gation is indicated by a card fixed on a pole and bearing the name of the State, ‘To the east of the enclosure the remainder of the hall given up to the alternate delegates and the general crow who have possessed sufficient influence or assurance to procure a ticket of admission, ‘The pressure for tickets of admission bas been fearful and the dissatistaction general, especially among the newspaper men, whore proper clains have been steadily ignored by the local committee, Ample as tho building ts it could be filled thrice over if all the applicants for entrance had been gratified. As tho hour for beginning proceedings ap- proached the rush grew moro and more intense, und at a few minuies to twelve o’clock the aisies. were jammed and the rush and bustle of the crowd could be heard even above the clanging brasses of the band. ‘The balconies upom either side and the rear of the hall were occupied by @ miscellaneous crowd, among whom appeared the face of Con. Maguire, who became known to famo a few months ago im connection with whiskey matters in St. Louis, The posts and arches supporting the roof are decorated with the mational colors, which also hang in festoons in intervening spaces In order to im- prove upon tho Liberal Convention held here in 1872, which bad a fountain tn the rear of the hall, The local committee in chargo of arrangements secured the services of a brass band, whose playing wiled away the timo during which early delegates were waiting for the calling to order of tho Convention. The musi¢ algo cume in Conveniently ata later bour to fll up awkward pauses, TILK CONVENTION CALLED TO ORDER, At a fow minutes atter twelve o’clock the Convem tion was called to order by Governor E. D, Morgan, Chairman of the republican National Committee, wh¢ introduced the Key, Dr. Muller, of Covington, Ky., who led in prayer. GOVERNOR MORGAN'S SPRRCH, Gdvernor MonGaN said :—GeNTLEMEN OF THR CONVEX. ‘rrox—The day and the hour tiave arrived for which the Topresentatives of the republican party were invited t¢ assemblo to nominate candidatesfor President Vice President of the United Stutes, and in obedience to the authority of the Republhean National Commit tec, I now respectfully ask baggy Sin muintain order, In 1856 at Philadeipbia, 1m 1860 at Chicago, and in 1864 at Baltimore, act under the same general authority, it has beou my privilege to eall republican conventions order, If 1 except the action of the Convention of 1864, the duties which this intelligent body have to perform, in comparison with former ones, aro the most impor. taut of all There is po special or parliamentary am thority for any remarks from the Chair on the nature of things; there cannot be any. Custoin is my only excuse, if excuse is needed, for even a few words. In June, 1564, we were in the midst of the war for the preservation of the Union. We had great armies in the field but they had achieved only partial success, and when success! always at a great cost of life. The bravest and best our young men had fi dreds of thousands, and were iu prison at Andersou- ville and Libby. President Lineoin seventeen months prior to this had by proclamation, but only as a war means, declared the slaves tree, while their masters kept them within their lines and held full dominion over thom, It was then modestiy suggested by your Chairman of the Na- tional Committee that the Copvention would not discharge its whole duty unless among its other resolves it should declare for such an amendment of the national constitution as would, when adopted by the requisite number of States, forever prohibit Africas slavery on, this continent. The suggestion was re- ceived with unexampled enthusiasm by the Conven- tion, The resolution to secure this national blessiny Was written in our party platform on that day, Bout Louses of Congress very soon ulter passed the required amendment. Twenty-nine sovereign States ratified it. The noble Lincoln proclaimed the result to the people, and from that hour to this the suo bas not risen upon @ bondman nor set upon a slave im ali this fuir land) Not to the North, not to the South, but to that Supreme Being alone who cone trols the destinies of nations as well as the affairs of individuals, let us give all the glory. But all this 1@ past, and the past, we conclude, is secure, jon me, gonticmen, if again, with like modesty,1 make @ suggestion or two bearing directly upon the present. ‘This Convention sbouid emphatically demand the prompt and efficient execution of those solemn pro mises of both houses of Congress and the President t¢ redeem in com the legal tender obligations of the government on the Ist of January, 1879, und Pens ite opposition to any modification or repeal of law that does not guarantee a still earlier or botter method of returning to specie payment, Let no doabt- ful word go from this Convention upon the subject of honest money. Prices are already ata specie pomt, Stand firmly by your numerous reso- lations and platforms a little longer, and your car- rency will bo transformed into @ coil #0 eauly and so naturally that you will be surprit only, a8 you will, that it was not determ! upon at earlier day. juinption accomplished, then in human probability will follow ten oF eee tee prosperity, perhaps greater tham the country seon, If you will im addition pub plank Hi! form declaring for such anjamendment of the consti. tution ax will oxtend the Presidential office to six years and make the incumbent ineligible for how far the elements bay course, so in like manner, the foundation of our government, we, too, oon the the end of 100 years from ve Come rth and tho Sonth, the East the 088 Ba bei ppged ad Cincin 5 pl io, containing nearl; 000 ere wo now tind ry leary thas eatin, ae it where not even wational ticket, so that they have beem little be u ood —— —— of that havo been =m by the 3, merely puting io form that which na, cede been deeided upon, I allude to Président boas second nomination and to the nomination nomination of the splondid soldier and ‘ Grant, but such a state of things no longer appears to be, at the preeent time, no one to unerring finger points #8 tho only candidate, seems to be no man ristag so far above all othors as to cnuse exultant voices to exciaim, “Thou art the ve The consequence is that many distinguished names among our party friends have been mentioned as can- didates, and will be brought betoro the Convention when the proper time arrives for making a nominatios. Therefore it is that | bave expressed mysell as seoing greater responsibilities resting upon de! to this Convention than upon any or all that have The history of the republican party furnishes % abun- dant evidence of Its desire that the governmeut shall be administered with bonesty and La and ag a means to that end that civil ser- vice should be elevated by the ton, of ail needful and = pro reforms. iy such a history, and at atime like the it can- not be doubted that the choice of the will