He had been a major-general in the Union army, and was with Sherman's army during that celebrated March through Georgia.

He was one of the leading candidates for the Presidential nomination before the National Republican Convention at Chicago in 1888, when General Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, was nominated.
I was a member of that Convention and one of Judge Gresham's active supporters.

In the campaign that followed Judge Gresham gave General Harrison his active and loyal support, but, for some unaccountable reason, he supported Mr.Cleveland against General Harrison in 1892.

Mr.
Cleveland was not only elected, but, contrary to public expectation, he carried the State of Illinois,--a State in which Judge Gresham was known to be very popular, especially among the colored people of Chicago; many of whom, it was said, voted for Mr.Cleveland through the efforts and influence of Judge Gresham.

Mr.Cleveland evidently believed that his success in Illinois was due largely to Judge Gresham, and as evidence of that fact, and because Judge Gresham was known to be a very able man, Mr.Cleveland paid him the distinguished honor of appointing him to the leading position in his cabinet,--that of Secretary of State.
When I called at the State Department the Judge invited me to a seat in his private office.