That opposition came chiefly from friends and supporters of Senator Conkling at the North and from Southern Republicans generally.

The opposition of the Conkling men to Mr.Blaine was largely personal; while southern Republicans were opposed to him on account of his having caused the defeat of the Federal Elections Bill.

The great majority of southern Republicans supported Senator Oliver P.Morton of Indiana.
After the National Convention had been organized, it looked for a while as if Mr.Blaine's nomination was a foregone conclusion.Hon.

Edward McPherson, of Pennsylvania,--a strong Blaine man,--had been made President of the Convention.

In placing Mr.Blaine's name in nomination, Hon.