The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-17
The Radical Press ON the Convention.

The Radical Press on the Convention.
From he Times.
The false prophets of the radical press are in a
state OF terrible perplexity. Their predictions
upset by the wise and harmonious action of the
delegates, TO the Philadelphia Convention, they
are now casting about for comfort In a sea of
wild and contradictory conectures.
At least score of 7TibuneS contend that the
Convention was neither more nor less than a
Democratic concern. They discourse ele.
gantly of Jonah and the whale, and thence
de6uce the certain fate of the Republicans
who participated in the proceedings. They
are TO be swall owed, body and bones,
by he Democratic hsh, which is thence
forward to absorb them into its colos-
sal corpus. Editorially and through the
marks of its CORES spondents, our radio al
nelghbor dwells upon this as the only tena ole
Interpretation OF the recents events at Phila-
delphia; and lesser luminarles are every whit AS
positive upon the subject. But Forney's Press
does not see things i'll the same light. 1t re-
verses the swallowing process 1t makes the
Conservative Republicans the victimizeTs, the
Democrats the victims. Writing IN view of
Tuesdays doings, the Press declared that the
Convention is in the interests of William II.
Seward and AndIew Johnson" that 1.-THE
stralghtout Democratic managers, who eX-
pected to realize handsomely out OF the specu'
lation, will lose eVervthingn; that "thc Demo.
cratic organization is TO be wholly submerged"
in new party; and much else TO the same pur-
pose. We appeal to the Press, then, as a witness
against the Irtbune and to the Tribune for
testimony against the Press; the inevitable
inference being, that the opposing statements
are equally imaginative and equally untrue.
In party sense, neither the Republicans nor
the Democrats who have met upon common
ground gam or lose anything. Those of the
delegates who were Democrats before are Demo-
Gratis still, and the Republicans who for the
time sit in council with them are not less of
Republicans to-day than they were week ago.
Each may be supposed more correctly to appre-
Ciate the position OF the other; aud upon the
great issue which remains to be fought out-tne
issue of the Union as against the radical dis
unionlsts--we trust that they will hereafter work
together with cordiaiity and vigor that will
overcome all opposition. They may be expected
to unite in the coming campaign with the view
of nationalizing Congress, asserting the supre-
macy OF the Constitution, and re-eStabllsh1ng
the Union, which only greed and fanatiCism
now keep asunder. They may-we hope they
will-cOoperate in support OF conservative
candidates, that the national sentiment OF the
people may rebuke the sectionalism of Congress,
and secure for the ten excluded States their
rights within the Union. But with mere party
organization the Convention has nothing
whatever to do. 1t will breathe the breath of
lite INTO movement superior to all parties, and
one which we believe is destined to gain the
mastery over all.
The differences among journals opposed to
the Convention are not confined to the question
of party. Besides the contradictions we have
noted are Others in which extreme newspapers
of the North neutraliZe the sayings of extreme
papers IN the South. The Southern extremists
have contended that the Convention is eXcu-
sivelY IN the interest of Northern politicians
and should therefore be stunned by Southern
delegates. The Albany EUentng Journal asserts
the opposite, thus:-
THE Convention called in the interest of those
| who have been armed Rebels against the Govern
ment. 1t will be organized may seem best calcu-
lated to promote those interests. And the Northern
men who take part in it must do so as the mere
automatons and puppets OF the shrewd Southern
politicians. In this aspect of affairs we discover
merely revival oi the old order, when the dough.
of the plantation, and crnged subservent under the
crack OF their ready lash."
More than enough has transpired to establish
the injustice of both allegations. The Southern
delegates are in no degree compromised, for
they sat in the Convention as equals in authority
and right, subjected to no caprcious test, sub
scribing to no partisan formula, and yielding
nothing of the dignity belonging to them as
eXponents of people upon whom the policy OF
Congress presses with ineXcusabe harshness.
The Southern delegates, we are persuaded, will
return satisfied with the reception accorded to
them, and with Well-orounded conviction that
the constitutional Unionists of the North
cherish no resentment, no sympathy with con-
spirators, and are prepared 10 battle steadastly
for the rights withheld by Congress. They will
return with the knowledge that nothing but the
| obstructive policy of Congress retards the COM
plete restoration of national harmony, in feeling
ard in TACT. On the other hand, all that has as
| yet been reported proves the falslty OF the igno
BILE appeal to prejudice on which che Albany
| Journal relies for effect The attitude of the
| South in the Convention was as far removed from
arrogance as from abject humility. 1t neither
cringed nor attempted to dictate. Its disposition
so lar as the public can Judge OF 1t, is eminenty
| proper-conciliatOry without being sycophantic
and intent upon nothing save the reestabllsh-
| ment OF harmonious relations, and the guidance
OF the movement in a manner most certain to
lead to success. In this particular we dare
say, the Southern delegates have disappointed
| many OF their enemies, as, unquestionaOly, they
have more than realized the expectations OF
| their friends
Nothing could be better than the reported
utterances OF the two distinguished represents
tives of South Carolina, who have already
spoken. Between Ex-Governor Perry who was
Unionist before the war and during the war,
and Governor Orr, who was an adherent of the
Rebellion there Is now no substantial difference.
One is more heartily for the Union than the
other Both agree in representing the people
of their State as loyal in the acceptance of the
situation, prepared in good faith to maintain the
integrity of the nation, and only anxious for the
fulhlment of the pledges made to them by the
Executive, in behalf OF the country, at the close
of hostilities Governor Orr is at this moment
hefter Union man than Mr.. Greeley, for while
the former publicly disayows the doctrine o.
secession, the latter cherlshes II with as much
apparent tenacity as when ne eXpounced and
advocated IL prior to the Rebellion And Ex
Governor Perry would be safer man in Con
| Al az, .fantha of the mem OerB who ObeI