The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-05-22
Graut and COlfax.

Grant was nominated some months ago
The formal part of the business was done at
Chicago yesterday, George Washington was
hardly surer of an election in 1889 than Grant
is in 1863 His leadership is accepted by the
Republican party with immea urable content
To the enemy the nomination is ominous of
humiliation and defeat; it foreshadows uncon-
ditional surrender; it is to the Democracy
what his appointment to the command of the
Army of the Potomac was 10 the Rebels in
1864. The danger is fully realized. The hero
of AppOmattox was offered the Democratic
nomination, if he would only fall down and
worship the Democratic Gods. Nay, they Of
fered him better terms; if he would but keep
silent amid the white man s-government" de
votes he should have their suffrages. The
Argus wanted him. the New York Democratic
papers desired him exceedingly. For time
the GRAFT colors were the only Democratic
wear, until the lrankness and honor of the
soldier blasted their hopes and filled their
hearts with the goomiest forebodings. The
depth of their wounds they have studionsly
concealed. They have attacked Grants repu-
taton as soldier, statesman and as Chris
tian; but to-day there lives not another in the
WuOlc WOIiu WIN 10 HIS peer III Tile eSUlIudllOE
of his fellow citizens.
The CONSERVATION with which the enemies
of the Republican party have regarded Grants
nomination may be estimated from the lying
rumors they have circulated TO the effect that
he would not allow the use of his name. This
lie was made cut of whole cloth. Its object was
to create an. impression that Republcansm
was at a low ebb and that Grant was not only
lacking in sympathy with it, but was appre.
hensive of defeat if he became can
didate under its auspices. These falshoods
are now exposed and it only remains for the
Democrats to begin the inevitable attack upon
the Generals aunts and grandmothers.
The people of this State naturally preferred
that Mr. Hamlin should be second on the Grant
ticket, not merely because of the sentiment of
"poetic justice" to be gratifed in placing him
there, but because of the worth and patriotism
OF the man. Nor were they alone in this feel
ing of respect for Mr.. Hamlin, as the extracts
from the public journals of other States which
have appeared from time to time in these col
umns clearly show. Their wishes in this re-
spect have not been answered. The result is
in great measure due to the dissemination of
Mr.. Hamlin himself to allow his friends to use
his name in the preliminary contest for the
nomination which has been going on for
months, or to present him q candidate to
the convention This unfeigDed reluctance on
his part, which has been well known to the
people of Maine, was unquestionably the most
efficient agency in bringing about his defeat at
Chicago. Had easonable and vigorous meas
ures been taken in his behalf there is every
reason to believe that he would have distanced
all competitors
No one who knows anything of the Repub-
licans of Maine will for a moment imagine
that on account of local pride or individual
preferences they will give less hearty sup
port to Schuyler Colfax than they would have
given to Hannibal Hamin. The nominee of
the Chicago Convention is a man who is every
where recognized as worthy of association
with the great chieftain whose name is
synonym for victory. Schuyler Colfax is one
of natures noblemen. His record is clean
enough to satisfy even those who are most tor
mented by the recollection of the fatal m stake
at Baltimore in 1864. Heaven forbid that Gen.
Grant should meet the fate of Lincoln, but
there is satisfaction in the assurance that
any casualty that should deprive the nation of
his services would give it his successor |
man in whom the loyal people could place the |
most unhesitatng confidence.
Grant and Colfax is as strong a ticket as |
could be presented to the American people. |
The platform upon which they stand is as
strong as the principles of truth and justice |
can make it. 1t embodies the most advanced |
liberalism of the century. No league of hun |
CRY politicians and demagogues can wrest the |
victory from Grant and Colfax, for to their
own greatness is added the invincibe power
of righteous principles and the confidence of
the American people.