By 1880, it
was clear even to the most obtuse politicians that “the Catholic vote” was
becoming key to a successful national campaign.
This combined with other factors, such as the surprising popularity of
Leo XIII among non-Catholics, and the able leadership of the American Church by
Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop John Ireland (1838-1918), and Bishop John Joseph
Keane (1839-1918), then bishop of Richmond, Virginia, and from 1886 to 1896
first rector of the Catholic University of America. This brought about a resurgence of nativist
hysteria, ironically chronicled in many of the cartoons of foreign-born Thomas
Nast (1840-1902).
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| John Sherman, Romish Sympathizer |
As the
election of 1880 approached, Hayes’s announcement that he would abide by his
promise to serve only one term greatly relieved the Republican leadership. He had been an exceptionally unexceptional
president, while Democrats, convinced he had stolen the election, referred to
him as “Rutherfraud” and “His Fraudulency” throughout his tenure.
If Hayes was
completely unexceptional, however, his chosen successor, Treasury Secretary
John Sherman (1823-1900) was completely unacceptable. Brother of General Sherman, he was believed
to share his sibling’s Catholic sympathies.
To counter the
growing Romish Menace, the Republicans nominated James Garfield, like Grant and
Hayes from Ohio. A “safe” candidate, he
was selected on the thirty-fifth ballot.
As was by now usual, his platform included opposition to aid to Catholic
schools and advocacy of a constitutional amendment to that effect.
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| General Winfield Scott Hancock |
To oppose
Garfield, the Democrats selected General Winfield Scott “Hancock the Superb”
Hancock (1824-1886). Neither candidate
can be said to have fired the public’s imagination, although Hancock ran a
strong campaign.
Two factors
probably secured Garfield’s election, despite the general lack of
enthusiasm. The first was a letter
written by Ellen Ewing Sherman, wife of General Sherman, to the Catholic Herald.
Probably upset
that her brother-in-law did not receive the Republican nomination, Mrs. Sherman
urged Catholics to vote for Hancock.
This was because Garfield would — in her opinion — do everything in his
power to harm the Church.
Having to
tolerate Catholics under the thumb of the Vatican was bad enough. That they would allow a woman to presume to
give an opinion and interfere in politics was ample proof that the Romanists
could not be trusted to behave like good Americans and leave the
trouser-wearing, whiskey-drinking, and cigar-smoking to the menfolk.
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| James A. Garfield |
The second was
the fear that aid to Catholic schools would allow priests in alliance with the
pope to indoctrinate children in un-American beliefs and practices, and
ultimately take over the entire United States school system. As a result of the fear-mongering, a number
of nativist organizations gained a new lease on life, while others were
established to combat the Romish Menace.
Republicans
spread false reports that Hancock was secretly a Catholic. He would allegedly build a Catholic chapel in
the White House and take orders directly from the Vatican. Garfield was elected, but again by a very
narrow margin. Six months after Garfield
took office, Charles Guiteau, like Henry George a disappointed office-seeker,
murdered the president.
Chester Allen
Arthur (1829-1886), selected as Garfield’s running mate by virtue of his having
even less personality than the bland Garfield, succeeded to the
presidency. After three and a half years
during which his chief accomplishment was avoiding scandal, Arthur announced
his retirement, leaving the field clear for the nomination of Blaine, the
obvious choice.
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