1884 Republican National Convention

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1884 {{{party}}} National Convention

Convention
Date(s)	June 3–6, 1884
City	Chicago, Illinois
Venue	Exposition Hall (Chicago)
Chair	John B. Henderson
Keynote speaker
Notable speakers
Presidential nominee	James G. Blaine of Maine
Vice presidential nominee	John A. Logan of Illinois

The 1884 Republican National Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois, from June 3 to June 6, 1884. The convention was held at the Exposition Hall (Chicago), and it was the seventh Republican National Convention.

Background

The convention was called to select the Republican Party's candidates for President and Vice President in the 1884 United States presidential election. The leading candidates for the presidential nomination were James G. Blaine of Maine, Chester A. Arthur of New York, and George F. Edmunds of Vermont.

Presidential Nomination

James G. Blaine, a former Secretary of State and Senator from Maine, emerged as the frontrunner. Blaine was a popular figure within the party, known for his advocacy of protective tariffs and his opposition to the spoils system. Despite some opposition within the party, Blaine secured the nomination on the fourth ballot.

Balloting

The balloting process was contentious, with Blaine facing significant opposition from supporters of President Chester A. Arthur and Senator George F. Edmunds. However, Blaine's strong support among delegates from the Western states and his appeal to reform-minded Republicans helped him secure the nomination.

Vice Presidential Nomination

For the vice-presidential nomination, the convention selected John A. Logan, a United States Senator from Illinois. Logan was a Civil War hero and a prominent figure in the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans. His selection was intended to balance the ticket geographically and to appeal to veterans and Western voters.

Platform

The platform adopted by the convention emphasized several key issues:

• Support for protective tariffs to protect American industry and labor.
• Advocacy for civil service reform to combat corruption and inefficiency in government.
• Commitment to the rights of African Americans and the enforcement of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
• Support for the construction of a transcontinental railroad and other internal improvements.

Aftermath

The Blaine-Logan ticket faced the Democratic ticket of Grover Cleveland and Thomas A. Hendricks in the general election. The campaign was marked by intense personal attacks and accusations of corruption. Ultimately, Blaine and Logan were defeated in the election, with Cleveland becoming the first Democrat to win the presidency since the Civil War.

Related Pages

• Republican National Convention
• James G. Blaine
• John A. Logan
• 1884 United States presidential election
• Grover Cleveland
• Chester A. Arthur
• George F. Edmunds