After a lengthy and heated debate the convention finally sustained this contention, and since that time the unit rule has not been recognized in a National Republican Convention.
This action, no doubt, resulted in the defeat of General Grant for the nomination; for it was a well-known fact that his nomination was possible only through the enforcement of the unit rule.

His friends and supporters, however, under the leadership of Senator Conkling, made a strong and desperate fight with the hope that the tide might ultimately turn in their favor, but with the intention, in any event, of preventing if possible the nomination of Mr.Blaine.General Grant's name was placed before the Convention by Senator Conkling in one of his most eloquent and masterly efforts.
"The man whose name I shall place in nomination," he said, "does not hail from any particular State; he hails from the United States.

It is not necessary to nominate a man that can carry Michigan.

Any Republican can carry Michigan.

You should nominate a man that can carry New York.
That man is U.S.