For two reasons I had some doubt about the propriety of allowing my name to be thus used.

First, I doubted the wisdom of the movement.

It had been the uniform custom to allow the National Committee to select the temporary chairman of the Convention, and I was inclined to the opinion that a departure from that custom might not be a wise step.

Second, I did not think it could possibly win.

My opinion was that a number of delegates that might otherwise vote for me could not be induced to vote in favor of breaking what had been a custom since the organization of the party.
I did not come to a definite decision until the morning of the day that the Convention was to be organized.