THE RISING SPIRIT OF UNREST 15 



service reform, of whom Carl Schurz was a leading 

 representative, and especially opponents of the re- 

 construction measures of the Administration, such 

 as Judge David Davis and Horace Greeley, saw 

 an opportunity to promote their favorite policies 

 through this new party organization. To these 

 sincere reformers were soon added such disgruntled 

 politicians as A. G. Curtin of Pennsylvania and 

 R. E. Fenton of New York, who sought revenge for 

 the support which the Administration had given 

 to their personal rivals. The principal bond of 

 union was the common desire to prevent the reelec- 

 tion of Grant. The platform adopted by the Cin- 

 cinnati convention reflected the composition of the 

 party. Opening with a bitter denunciation of the 

 President, it declared in no uncertain terms for civil 

 service reform and the immediate and complete re- 

 moval of political disabilities. On the tariff, how- 

 ever, the party could come to no agreement; the 

 free traders were unable to overcome the opposi- 

 tion of Horace Greeley and his protectionist fol- 

 lowers; and the outcome was the reference of the 

 question "to the people in their congressional 

 districts and the decision of Congress." 



The leading candidates for nomination for the 

 presidency were Charles Francis Adams, David 



