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Half-Breed Republicans (view source)
Revision as of 17:06, November 28, 2021
, 17:06, November 28, 2021→Timeline
Ultimately, the [[Republican National Convention]] selected [[dark horse]] candidate [[James A. Garfield]] of [[Ohio]] to be the party nominee as a compromise.<ref name=levipmorton/> Garfield was favorable among Half-Breeds, and attempted to simultaneously garner sufficient support from Stalwarts by vowing to meet the Conkling machine's demands in a party unity effort. With Stalwart [[Chester Arthur]] as his running mate, he won the general election over Winfield S. Hancock.
Ultimately, the [[Republican National Convention]] selected [[dark horse]] candidate [[James A. Garfield]] of [[Ohio]] to be the party nominee as a compromise.<ref name=levipmorton/> Garfield was favorable among Half-Breeds, and attempted to simultaneously garner sufficient support from Stalwarts by vowing to meet the Conkling machine's demands in a party unity effort. With Stalwart [[Chester Arthur]] as his running mate, he won the general election over Winfield S. Hancock.
===Battle over New York Collector of the Port===
The position of Collector of the Port of New York was regarded as highly prestigious due to its officeholder managing a major center of trade between the United States and other nations. President Garfield nominated Half-Breed [[William Henry Robertson]] to the post, angering Stalwart leader Conkling. The latter was furious due to Garfield breaking the precedent of obtaining the approval of the respective U.S. senators before giving anyone a post in their home state.
While the Half-Breeds previously faced setbacks during the Hayes Administration, they ultimately triumphed in the feud over Robertson. Conkling convinced his senatorial Stalwart colleague [[Thomas C. Platt]] to both resign under the guise that the New York legislature would immediately re-elect them to their posts. They faced defeat when the legislature under the control of Half-Breeds elected others to fill their seats.
===Garfield assassination===
[[Charles J. Guiteau]], a mentally ill office seeker and former Democrat, supported Ulysses S. Grant in the 1880 Republican primaries. Believing that simply backing a Republican would be enough to obtain him a government job due to the spoils system nature.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> Guiteau prepared a fiery speech to draw out enthusiasm for Grant, only to replace all mentions of him with "Garfield" when the Ohio Republican was instead nominated.
Instead of speaking in front a loud audience that heavily applauded his speech, Guiteau only spoke towards a small puzzled crowd, and continuously begged party leaders in order to be given the opportunity.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> Absurdly believing that Garfield's ultimate narrow victory was attributed to his speech, Guiteau believed that he was deserving of a high-ranking position. He sought a consulship to [[Paris]] and drew harsh irritation from Blaine, who snapped:<ref name=npsbasicinfo/>
{{cquote|Do not ask me about the Paris consulship ever again!|||James Gillespie Blaine}}
Upon realizing that his effort to obtain a position within the Garfield Administration were futile, Guiteau sought to "save" the spoils system by killing Garfield to elevate Stalwart Vice President Chester Arthur to commander-in-chief.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> After stalking the president for some time, Guiteau assassinated Garfield on July 2, 1881 with a pistol. When caught at the scene and dragged away, he exclaimed:<ref>Bellamy, Jay. [https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/guiteau A Stalwart of Stalwarts: Garfield’s Assassin Sees Deed as a Special Duty]. ''National Archives''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref>
{{I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts. Arthur is now President!|||Guiteau, July 2, 1881}}
Delusional under the belief that he would be treated as a hero, Guiteau claimed in his trial when Garfield later died in a hospital:<ref name=npsbasicinfo/>
{{cquote|The doctors did that. I merely shot at him.|||Guiteau, 1881}}
Guiteau was found guilty of murdering Garfield, and sentenced to death by hanging.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> He was executed on June 30, 1882.
==See also==
==See also==