At the 1876 Democratic National Convention in St. Louis , Kernan nominated Samuel J. Tilden for President . In 1880 , Kernan received the honorary degree of LL.D . from Georgetown University . In January 1881 , Kernan was defeated for re-election by Republican Thomas C. Platt . After Platt 's resignation in May 1881 , Kernan ran again for the Senate in the following special election but was defeated by Republican Warner Miller . At the Democratic convention of 1884 , held at Chicago , he was not a delegate , but he was present at the special request of the leaders of his party and was one of the most efficient advocates , outside of the convention , for the nomination of Grover Cleveland
1876 Democratic National Convention
1876 Democratic National Convention
Francis Kernan