[80] Each of the other candidates had hindrances to his nomination: Bayard had spoken in favor of secession in 1861, making him unacceptable to Northerners; Butler, conversely, was reviled throughout the Southern United States for his actions during the Civil War; Thurman was generally well-liked, but was growing old and infirm, and his views on the silver question were uncertain.[81]
Cleveland, too, had detractors—Tammany remained opposed to him—but the nature of his enemies made him still more friends.[82] Cleveland led on the first ballot, with 392 votes out of 820.[83] On the second ballot, Tammany threw its support behind Butler, but the rest of the delegates shifted to Cleveland, who won.[84] Thomas A. Hendricks of Indiana was selected as his running mate.[84]

Campaign against Blaine
Corruption in politics was the central issue in 1884; Blaine had over the span of his career been involved in several questionable deals.[85] Cleveland's reputation as an opponent of corruption proved the Democrats' strongest asset.[86] William C. Hudson created Cleveland's contextual campaign slogan "A public office is a public trust."[87] Reform-minded Republicans called "Mugwumps" denounced Blaine as corrupt and flocked to Cleveland.