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I tried to argue the question with Young by portraying to him the situation and the utter hopelessness of any attempt to break the slate。 He； however； insisted upon it； saying that all pledges and preferences would disappear because of Greeley's services to the party for so many years。
When we arrived at Syracuse and stated our determination to present Mr。 Greeley's name； it was hilariously received as a joke。 Efforts were made by friends of Greeley to persuade him not to undertake such an impossible task； but they could produce no effect。
Mr。 Griswold was put in nomination by Mr。 Demers； one of the most eloquent young men in the ministry of the State； and afterwards an editor of power； and his speech filled every requirement。
Then I presented Mr。 Greeley。 At first the audience was hostile； but as the recital of the great editor's achievements grew in intensity and heat； the convention began to applaud and then to cheer。 A delegate hurled at me the question： 〃How about Greeley signing the bail of Jefferson Davis？〃 The sentiment seemed to change at once and cheers were followed by hisses。 Then there was supreme silence； and I immediately shouted： 〃There are spots on the sun。〃
The effect was electrical。 Delegates were on their feet； standing on chairs； the air was full of hats； and the cheers deafening for Greeley for some minutes。 Mr。 Demers； the preacher delegate； lost his equilibrium； rushed up to me； shaking his fist excitedly； and shouted： 〃Damn you！ you have nominated him and beaten Griswold。〃
A recess was taken； and when the convention reconvened the ballot demonstrated that if the organization is given time it can always reform its shattered lines and show the efficiency of discipline。
When I met Mr。 Greeley soon after； he said： 〃I cannot understand why I desired the nomination for governor； nor why anybody should want the office。 There is nothing in it。 No man now can name the ten last governors of the State of New York。〃
Having tried that proposition many times since on the average citizen； I have found that Mr。 Greeley was absolutely right。 Any one who does not think so can try to solve that problem himself。
The meeting of the Electoral College at the Capitol at Albany in 1864 was one of the most picturesque and interesting gatherings ever held in the State。 People came from all parts of the country to witness the formality of the casting of the vote of New York for Abraham Lincoln。 The members of the college were； most of them； men of great distinction in our public and civic life。
Horace Greeley was elected president of the college。 The meeting was held in the Senate chamber。 When Mr。 Greeley took the chair； the desk in front of him made only his bust visible and with his wonderfully intellectual face； his long gray hair brushed back； and his solemn and earnest expression； he was one of the most impressive figures I ever saw occupying the chair as a presiding officer。
One of the electors had failed to appear。 Most of us knew that under pressure of great excitement he was unable to resist his convivial tendencies； but no one supposed that Mr。 Greeley could by any possibilibility know of his weakness。 After waiting some time one of the electors moved that the college take a recess for half a day。 Mr。 Greeley turned very pale and； before putting the question； made a little speech； something like this； in a voice full of emotion； I might almost say tears： 〃My brethren； we are met here upon the most solemn occasion of our lives in this crisis of the republic。 Upon the regularity of what we do here this day may depend whether the republic lives or dies。 I would； therefore； suggest that we sit here in silence until our absent brother； who is doubtless kept from us by some good reason； shall appear and take his seat。〃
The effect of this address upon the Electoral College and the surrounding audience was great。 Many were in tears； and the women spectators； most of whom were in mourning for those lost during the war； were all crying。
As secretary of state it was my duty to have the papers all prepared for execution as soon as the college had voted； and to attach to them the great seal of the State； and then they were sent by special messenger to Washington to be delivered to the House of Representatives。 Mr。 Greeley； at the opening of the session； said to me： 〃Chauncey； as I am not very familiar with parliamentary law； I wish you would take a seat on the steps beside me here； so that I can consult you if necessary。〃 After this effective and affecting speech he leaned down until he was close to my ear； and said： 〃Chauncey； how long do you think it will be before that d… drunken fool will be able to return and take his seat？〃
General Grant's administration soon aroused great opposition。 Carl Schurz； Charles Francis Adams； and other leaders became very hostile to the administration and to a second term。 The country was longing for peace。 The 〃carpet…bag〃 governments of the South were full of corruption and incompetence and imposed upon the Southern States intolerable burdens of debt。 The feeling was becoming general that there should be universal amnesty in order that the best and most capable people of the South could return to the management of their own affairs。
This led to the calling of a convention of the Republicans； which nominated Horace Greeley for president。 I had no desire nor the slightest intention of being involved in this controversy； but was happily pursuing my profession； with increasing fondness for private life。
One day Commodore Vanderbilt； who had a strong friendship for Mr。 Greeley； but took no interest in politics； said to me： 〃Mr。 Greeley has been to see me and is very anxious for you to assist him。 If you can aid him in any way I wish you would。〃
Afterwards Mr。 Greeley called at my house。 〃Chauncey；〃 he said （he always called me Chauncey）； 〃as you know； I have been nominated by the Liberal Republican convention for President of the United States。 If I can get the indorsement of the Democratic party my election is assured。 My Democratic friends tell me that in order to accomplish that I must demonstrate that I have a substantial Republican following。 So we have called a meeting at Rochester； which is the capital of the strongest Republican counties of the State。 It is necessary to have for the principal speaker some Republican of State and national reputation。 I have selected you for that purpose。〃
To my protest that I did not wish to enter into the contest nor to take any part in active politics； he said； very indignantly： 〃I have supported you in my paper and personally during the whole of your career。 I thought that if anybody was capable of gratitude it is you； and I have had unfortunate experiences with many。〃 I never was able to resist an appeal of this kind； so I said impulsively： 〃Mr。 Greeley； I will go。〃
The meeting was a marvellous success for the purpose for which it was called。 It was purely a Republican gathering。 The crowd was several times larger than the hall could accommodate。 Henry R。 Selden； one of the judges of the Court of Appeals and one of the most eminent and respected Republicans of the