The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-18
Yhe Albany COnventiOn-CharRct and
objects of ITS Action.

.aThere is one point in regard to the conduct
Of the present political canvass-and II Is
point upon which its entire success depends-to
which we desire to call the special attention OF
those of our friends who are OF Democratic an
teeedents. We refer to the necessity OF carry
ing out In good faith the understanding which
was entered into at the Philadelphia Conven-
tion, that all old party antecedents and future
action should be merged in the National Union
organization. 1t was not contemplated then, or
since to strengthen the Democratic party by
that movement and any effort In that direction
now cannot fail to be mischievous. We would
therefore, give to our nelghbor of the Courier
q gentle hint that 1t should not again offend in
this respect, as it did this morning, by calling
the Albany Convention Democratic State
Convention
This is good advice. II has only two defects
it comes rather late, and it ought to have been
addressed to the Albany Convention before its
meeting, rather than to one of its subsequent
organs. Possibly it might have prevented the
mistake which that Convention made, though
we are inclined to think this somewhat doubtful
It seemed to be established by the action of
he Philadelphia Union Convention that the
great issue 10 be presented for popular decision
thie fall, should be the restoration of the Union
by the admission into Congress of loyal repre-
sentatives from loyal states; and those who took
part in that Convention assented to the presenta-
tiOn OF that issue in such form, and SO distinct
from all others, as to leave untouched and un-
impaired the party relations of individual citl-
Zens who might concur and cooperate upon
this one point. The call for the Albany Conven-
ton, though open to objection in point of FORM
did not distinctly violate this understanding;
and accordingly liberal Republicans, who sought
the early restoration of the Union, responded to
1T, and elected delegates to the Convention.
When the Convention assembled, we believe
that hoO-thirds of the delegates were in favor of
the nomination Of General DiX-not merely be-
cause of the confidence in his superior popular
gtV 9TH hnt ha uyoc halt fD hn -
sentiment, political position, and personal rela-
tiOns, the best possible representative of the
spirit, principles, and objects of the Philadel-
phia Convention, of which he had been the pre-
siding officer, and to which he had given the
keynote in his opening address. All his political
lite a Democrat, he had held himself during the
war aloof from party contests, and had devoted
himself to the support of the Government in its
struggle with the Rebellion. On this account
also, 1t was felt to be prominently fitting that
he should be put forward as the representative
In this State OF national movement which was
intended not to break up the Republican party,
nor to strengthen and restore the Democratic
party to power-but to complete the restoration
of the Union as the necessary condition of all
wholesome and safe political and party action.
In this opinion we believe every Republican
delegate, and very many Democratic delegates,
from the country, fully concurred and If the
vote had been taken on Tuesday when the Con-
Ventlon was perfectly prepared to act, General
DIX would, beyond all question, have been
nominated. Governor Church prevented this
result by adjourning the Convention against
1he distinct and emphatic vote of majority
OF its members, and thus secured the delay
which proved sufficient to thWart its will.
The next day Judge Pierrepont, generally
recognized as friend of General Dix, formally,
and as II with his assent, withdrew his name.
Judge Pierrepont had ostentatiously refused to
participate in the Philadelphia Convention, and
An his speech at Albany for the first time Vir-
tSaily maj assigned the reason for SO doing. He said
mat three months ago several of us assembled
together in the city of New York and decided
that Mayor Hoffman should be nominated for
governor. The reasons assigned for this deci-
slOn were, that mo man in this Convention was
born when the last Democratic Governor was
elected from New York or Brooklyn and that
the nomination would probably be conceded to
those great cities, which had done such SER
wee to the Democratic party" Judge Pierre
pont did not claim this as a right, because he
SAID, no local city has any rights against the
sIeas N%I lSeas OF the great Democratic party.
our business he added, sis TO sacri.
pee anything and everything to its in
terests, ana Inat everybody was ready to do"
s'Wen cast about, therefore, Judge Pierre
pont proceeded to say, to discover VINO could
command the largest vote in these cities,
and as Mayor Hoffman would get the whole
vote OF the Democratic party, together with the
votes OF the Irish and of the German Republi-
cans, I'VE" concluded that his name was the
best that could be presented. Judge Pierrepont
further assured the Convention that Mr. tiofT.
man was man 'in whose hands the safety OF
the Democratic party would be suren and he
was cOnnuenI tndI the memDers would be will
ing to set aside the names even of those persona
friends with whom they had been more init
mate than with MIR. Hoffman, 'for the great in
terest, for the benefit of the great cause and fo
the success of the great Democratic party
Judge Pierrepont thereupon proceeded withou
the slightest warrant so far as appears, to will
draw the name of General Dix, and Mr.. Hoffma
was forthwith nominated by acclamaton.
It seems clear from this statement that Nj
Hoffman was nominated, not as the result
any tacit or other understanding at the Phil
delphia Convention, but as the result OF NEE
ing of "SeuerdL of Usn held in New York tW
months before the Philadelphia Conventio
assembled; and not as the exponent of Its pri
ciples, nor for the purpose of carrying 1ni
effect its purposes and objects, but as the repr
sentative of the Democratic party, and for Il
purpose of promoting its welfare and securir
ats success. 1t is scarcely necessary to say tn
this formed no part of the purposes or expect
hons with which liberal Union members OF Il
Republican party had taken part in this Co
Vention. Nor did they expect to be call
on TO sci aside, against the will of a majority
the Convention, SO eminent and patriotic pu
lie servant as General Dix, because of the acti
part he had taken in sustaining the Governme
during the war, and of the Vgor and ener
with which he had eo-operated in its measuI
for suppressing the Rebellion.
Nor is this the full extent OF the load viii
the Convention imposed upon those Republica
who are expected to cooperate in the electiC
Instead of restricting its action to the speci
=. issue presented at Philadelphia, theiConventi
", proceeded to denounce, in very clear and unm
Sakable terms, the several commissions
Which the State Legislature has provided
tho city of New York all the government VIII
affords its people safety in their persons SCI
rity Yin their property, or anything like dec
degree Of honesty and efficiency in the admin
tration of its affairs. The Police Commissi
the Board of Charities, the Emigration Comm
parE DoY ,nr1fco and