Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-09
NOTES ON THE STATE CONVENTION.

The reporter of the Boston Post, with re-
markable disorder of memory, states that
Hon, J. S. C. Knowlton "read" his speech to
the republican state convention, on taking the
chair. We do not understand what the reason
of this reporter can be for stating what every
man who was present knows to be incorrect.
All the speeches at the convention were I'M
premeditated, and none of them more so than
the two best that were delivered, that of Mr..
Knowlton and that of Mr. Hopkins. Mr..
Knowlton's speech, which was received with
marked favor and great applause, was not
loose and disjointed, because the habit OF his
mind does not allow him to make loose and
disjointed speeches.
The Boston Bee, speaking of the eonven-
ton, makes the following observation 1--WE
noticed in the brief Geographic dispatches
which appeared in some of the Boston papers,
an effort to make it appear as if there was an
antagonism between the friends of Governor
Seward, and our own distinguished chief mag
istrate, Governor Banks. Nothing could be
further from the truth. We were present at
the convention, and had, probably, as good an
opportunity to learn the exact state of feeling
of the delegates as any one. We heard kind
words everywhere of all the prominent candi-
dates, and no unkind word tor any one"
What the Bee says is entirely true. There
are some persons who seem incapable of I'M
Outstanding that preference for Mr.. Seward
does not mean hostility to Governor Banks.
But, so long as the republicans of Massachu-
sets have among themselves a right under
standing of the matter, they can afford to be
Indifferent to what may be said of it by the
enemy.
The Boston journal, in the course of an ed
itorial article on the convention, says 1T is
understood that Gov Banks will not allow his
name to be used in the Chicago convention in
opposition to Mr. Seward, believing that the
nomination is due to the latter as the tried and
trusted standard-bearer of the republican party
since its organization" Mr.. Seward is natu-
rally the foremost man in the republican par
ty, at the present time, and therefore very nat
uraly the foremost candidate for nomination at
Chicago. If wise counsels prevail, he will be
nominated on the first ballot. 1t is not ques
ton of personal preference. If it were, among
those who now desire the nomination of
Mr.. Seward, there would be heard voices, not
only for Mr.. Banks, but also voices for Mr..
Chase and for other distinguished republicans
who have been mentioned in connection with
the presidency. But it is question of public
interest, Circumstances which none of us
contrived have designated our candidate. We
shall trfe with our position if we fail 10 accept
him. And let it not be said anywhere that the
act of accepting him means hostility to any
other man who might be selected if circum-
stances were different
The only objection TO Mr. Seward we heard
urged by anybody who attended the conyen-
ton, was something like this :-"Mr. Seward
is denounced terribly by southern men; will
not this injure his chances of an election 2"
This objection forgets that they denounce Mr..
Seward only as they denounce the whole re-
publican party and it assumes, with amusing
simplicity, that these denunciations are all
very sincere The following anecdote will |
bear telling again A few years ago, prom
inent member of Congress from Mississippi
whose course on some questions had displeased
his constituents, found it very desirable, if
possible, to re-instate himself in their good
opinions. He came frankly to Mr.. Seward,
and told him how he was situated and re-
quested to be pardoned, if, in forthcoming
speech designed to act at home, he should say
against him some very savage things. Mr..
Seward told him good-naturedly, to go ahead.
"But, said he, "you must pardon me if pay
no attention and make no reply to what you
say" And thus it came to pass Mr. Sew
ard was assailed very ferociously, in the usual
no other man whom these gentlemen regard
with more respect, or whose election to the
presidency they would see with more satistac-
ton