The result was that Garfield was finally made the unanimous choice of the convention.

The New York delegation, being allowed to name the man for Vice-President, nominated Chester A.Arthur, of that State.
Although General Garfield was nominated as a compromise candidate his election was by no means a foregone conclusion.

The Democrats had nominated a strong and popular man, General W.S.Hancock, one of the most brilliant and successful generals in the Union Army.

Associated on the ticket with him was a popular Indiana Democrat, William H.English.
It looked for a while as if Democratic success were reasonably certain, especially after the September State and Congressional elections in the State of Maine, the result of which was virtually a Democratic victory.
What was known as the celebrated Mentor Conference then took place.
Mentor was the home of General Garfield.

The conference consisted of General Garfield, General Grant, and Senator Conkling.