New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-17
WY rs 1T 4 BLUNDERf


There is perfect accord among those VINO
are not restrained by fcalty and party neces-
sity from avowing their convictions In averring
that the late Democratic National Convention
Numbered sadly. Every one who feels at I'D
erty to say what he thinks says this, because
every one feels it. "IIOw could they nave
thrown away their chance of success 7 Is the
universal inquiry. Here were collected over
six hundred delegates from every section Oh
orr country; many of them men OF decided
ability Tnearly all Of them experienced poll
ticians. The Rebel Congress was largely INC
Rebel Army still more bOunteOusly represented;
and the Rebel chiefs are generally Shrewu
men. Add to these most of the candidates lot
Governor Congress- &c, &c, In the lOyai oCates
who have been defeated or run out during Che
last seven years. from HOratio Seymour ana
Judge Woodward down to Nallandigham anu
prisoner MahOny, and you would suppose thaC
here was collected wit enough to keep out OF
the fire. And yet they walked right into 1t
What il the explanation of this Conventions
generally nominate to win why did TINS one
violate the rule so hagrantly that even the
British Tory oracles-which hate the KepuDh-
cans impacably-give up the contest rs nope
less 2
Those questions answer themselves when we
have realized that the case of the Sham Demo-
cracy was essentially hopeless, and only to be
retrieved by an adroit mastery juggle. And
there were powerful and implacable factions
among the delegates each more intent on It's
own special end than on party triumph.
Mr.. Pendleton was the candidate of the
strongest and most positive interest IN the Con
vention-that whose primary object Is the VIZ
tual Reputation of the National Debt. But
for the two-thrds rule we think he might
have been nominated. Every delegate from the
South would have heartily supported him from
first to last had his success been probable
But his Greenback dodge had been systemati-
callv frowned on by the leaders of the Eastern
Sham Democracy, and pOlntedly by Horato
Seymour. So strong a prejudice had been
aroused against his "lawful money" scheme
that had he been nominated, he would proba-
bly, have received no single Electoral vote from
the populOus North and East. So his nominal
ton was rendered impossible.
Whether Chief Justice Chase would have run
better is questioned; but this, at least, was
obviously true of him: had he been nominated,
the result would not have been evident from
the outset We cannot doubt that the nomlna-
ton of Chase was advisable; and we believe
the cleverest politicians in the Convention,
Seymour included, thought so. But Brick
Pomeroy and his Rebel crowd would MT stand
if. They threatened to bolt and make general
smash if he were put up. They were strong
enough to veto any nomination specially obnox-
ous to them, and they did it. So Chase went
overheard.
There remained one strong combination
Hendricks for President, with Hancock or
English for Vice. Hendricks is able and plaus-
ible. holds opinions substantially identical with
Pendletons, yet is by no means so obnoxious
| ~ he to Eastern prejudces We do not believe
| ba could have been elected-we do believe lac
could have made far better run than Seymour
probably better than any competitor. linen
why was he not nominated?
Because the PendletOniteS wouid nj stand It.
| They held that he had not shown their man ialr
play-that he ought not to have been candidate
against Pendleton-and they had long since
resolved that if their fayorite were not nom
mated, Hendricks should not be. They were
for PendletOn in dead earnest; If he could not
he the man. they would have the nomination
thrown East, so as to have a clear track for
their nag in ~. Hence, when Pendleton was
withdrawn, Seymour was instantly nominated
Well; what is there bad in SeymOur's nomi-
nation?
Simply this: The country knors him. He has
repeatedly avowed views which others have
held in reserve. His speeches, &c, supple
mented by Blair's recent letter, place their
party distinctly before the country on plat
form which the country does not and will not
accept. Their nomination was blunder
simply because it exposes what should have
been kept concealed if success were desired
1t is Just such blunder as though the Con-
federate flag had been raised and saluted III
procIaiming the Tamany nominations. II
renders a Democratic triumph hopeless, by let
ting all men know exactly what Democratic
triumph wOuld involve.