pay the bonds, but it was generally understood that this was what was meant. The questions then of sound money and of the faithful discharge of the public obligations were thus put in issue. The Democrats also met squarely the Republican doctrine of Reconstruction. They demanded the "immediate restoration of all the States to their rights in the Union under the Constitution, and of civil government to the American people," with "amnesty for all past political offences, and the regulation of the election franchise in the States by their citizens." And they denounced the Radical party, as they termed the Republicans, "for its disregard of right, and the unparalleled oppression and tyranny which have marked its career," declared the Reconstruction Acts to be unconstitutional, revolutionary and void, and lauded President Johnson for his unflinching resistance to "the aggressions of Congress upon the constitutional rights of the States and the people." [Sidenote: Weakness of the platform.] There is no question that the platform of the Democrats, with its paper money doctrine, and its hostility to Reconstruction and universal suffrage, was a shaky foundation for any party to attempt to stand upon at that juncture. Not much conscience and not much sentiment could be aroused with such tenets. Conscience and sentiment were much more amenable to the appeals of the Republican platform upon these points. Moreover, the tremendous popularity of the Republican candidates had to be reckoned with. Where could the Democrats find a candidate who would both match Grant in the popular affection and overbalance also the weakness of the platform? The New Yorkers in the convention, led by Seymour, Tilden, Schell and Kernan, {210} had their man for this emergency, but they dared not reveal at the outset their plan. They were resolved to nominate Chief Justice Chase. They thought that Chase's well-known devotion to the principles of universal suffrage and his career as Secretary of the Treasury would satisfy the Eastern men in regard to the platform, and that his attachment to the principles of civil government versus militarism would, in some degree at least, neutralize the popularity of the military hero. The delegates from Ohio, Mr. Chase's own "State," suspected the purpose of the New Yorkers, and were determined to foil it. If they could not get Pendleton, they were determined not to have Chase. After the first six ballots without result, Pendleton, however, leading, the New Yorkers brought forward Hendricks of Indiana, in order to break down Pendleton's vote. Having succeeded in this after some six more ballots, the name of Chase was brought before the convention by a half vote from California. The purpose was probably to feel of the convention. It was highly successful. The announcement of the half vote was received with enthusiastic applause. Masking themselves behind Hancock, who was at that juncture in the lead, and Hendricks, the New Yorkers now prepared