The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-16
Important Results Of the Late
Elections.
Generalization of the Demo-
cratic Party.
Active Caucusing Of the Leaders in
Washington and Elsewhere.
~~~~>~-~~<>>~~~~~~~~~~or~
Seymour and Blair to be
Withdrawn.
Informal Nomination Of Judge Chase and
John Quincy Adams.

'wi Seymour withdraw" "wn Blair leave the
heldr' These questions asked few weeks ago
would have met with decided negative but now.
after the ascertaned results OF Tuesdays elections
Will 1t be the sames II the information have re-
ceiyed to-day be reliable It would appear that either
Seymour and Blair are not altogether adverse to re-
tirng or at least that some OF the influential men OF
the democratic party are anxious TO get rid OF their
present standard bearers. 1t seems movement
having for Its object the withdrawal OF Seymour and
Blair, was commenced here a few DAYS before the
election by certain gentlemen who foresaw defeat IN
pennsylvania, OHIO and, perhaps, Indiana. They
realised at last that fatal error had been
committed by the New York Convention,
and advised as to what, IL any course
could be adopted to save their party from certain
defeat next November. | am told the same policy
discussed last week In New York. and perhaps
the scheme, which will presently explain origi-
mated in that city and was only further considered
here But, however that may be, the result Of the
conversations and discussions was conviction that
the only hope for the of the democratic party
next month was the immediate withdrawal OF Sey
mour and Blair. After the late elections another
meeting OF the parties favorng this scheme took
place. believe, yesterday afternoon in one OF the
parl0rs OF Wizards HOTEL or course, at this gath
ering the preconceived opinions were greatly
strengthened, and it resolved to make deter
mined effort to accomplish their object But then
other questions arose. II Seymour and Blair should
withdraw who could be substitutedS And would
there be time to explain the change properly 10 the
masses OF the party all over the country in the brief
interval between now and the dav OF elections To
the first OF these questions the answer arrived at
was that Hancock or Chase would be an admirable
substitute but whether either would be likely to &C
cept under existing circumstances seems not to
have been thought of. To the second question,
which presented difficulties of greater magnitude,
more attention was given:-HOw could the COnven-
ton be called together in timehow could the peo-
pie be reconciled to so sudden a change-what ex-
PLANTATION OF the thing could be given-wOuld not
the fact Of change be q glarng confession OF
weakness-would not the step, In short, be
the complete ruin and prostration OF the
partyS The answer to all these was that the condi-
ton Of AFFAIRS could not be much worse. AZ mat
tiers stood defeat stared them In the face. Could
anything worse happen them than defeatf A
change OF candidates might yet bring them success.
Was not the experiment worth a tria9 As to call
ing convention together that need not be done at
| all. It would be sufficient to summon the National
Democratic Committee together, and should Sey-
mour and Blair resign the masses OF the party won Id
| readily acquesce in any plan agreed upon In the
| emergency. The National Committee could nom-
nate candidates. and there would be time
enough left, even at this late day, by vigorous
campaign to sweep the country. have reason to
know that these were substantially the conclusions
arrived at, ana am informed that prominent poll
tan, who Is here now, and who was delegate to
the New York Convention, has telegraphed to Bel
mont advising him to summon together the National
Committee. Up to the time OF writing this am not
| able to learn whether any response has been re-
ceived. This plan is the identical suggested in
| these dispatches Immediately after the New York
Convention, and which, If only acted upon at that
time might have led TO different results than those
witnessed last Tuesday. But 10 return. The gentle
men engaged in the movement, prominent among
whom il Ex-Governor Walker, concluded that II
would he advisable to sound General Hancock to
his willingness to accept the nomination. They
commenced their operations by first sounding init
mate friends OF the General, many OF whom prompt
y and unhesitatingly declared 1t their belief that the
| General would not and ought not to accept under
the circumstances. One OF these friends In
particular opposed the scheme with great warmth,
declaring that 10 would be political suicide for Han
cock TO do anything OF the kind, that It the
same as throwing him into the breach In the most
desperate emergency, and that he the md, would
advise the General under circumstances to permit
himself to be thus vctimized. He believed also that
1t would be ruinous to the party to make any change
at the eleventh hour and that the slim hope that
still remained OF after Tuesdays indications
would be thereby shattered to the winds. These
arguments, however, failed to convince Governor
Walker and his associates and have reason to
know that they had interviews with Hancock to-day,
the result OF which has not yet transpired.
While I write now Governor walker and some
others are In consultation with General Han
cock tonight. The friends OF the General declare
that It Is not at all probable he will accept. The
General himself is very mum on the subject, having
refused very politely to talk with correspondents at
all on politics. The movement has made quite
stir here among those who have heard OF 1t.
Democrats in general appear at loss In what
way to receive II, whether 10 regard It
AZ an addition to the chapter OF blum.
ders lately committed by their party or to
welcome 1t as the ultima spes, the last hope OF van
gushing the hero OF Appomattox Opinions differ
widely, and perhaps thus Hty reflect the confusion
that must ensue whether the scheme be pressed TO
consunmation or abandoned as inadvisable. Some
take this view that however untimely the scheme
has been thrust upon the party that out the
better plan IL TO adopt II. The publication which
win certainly be given to II through the newspapers
they urge, will be quite damaging to the party
to adopt the scheme itself. It will show,
they say, that we are weak, hestating and
In doubt. We can't escape from that predlcament
now, so let us, In the OF democracy, Jump into
the breach. as we have to face the danger and fight
boldly for success II the scheme had not leaked
out we might let Il drop without danger; but now
that IL Is known the best thing can do Is TO play
IT az our last card. There are some who advocate
calling the full Nominating Convention together; but
as this step Is scarcely practicable owing to geo.
graphical ana other difficulties, and az II might
lead to unfortunate dssensions and delays,
II Is probable only the National Committee
viii DO summoned As TO Judge Chase,
have had no opportunity Of ascertaining what his
opinions are this subject. The probabilities are,
however. that he viii find for not accepting
compliment rendered second hand. There seems
to be no doubt about General Hancock's present
feelings which decidedly adverse to the scheme,
but that he may not be induced 70 sink personal
considerations for the good Of his party especially
when appealed TO by so adrot person AZ Robert j.
| Walker, do not presume TO assert Nous perTons.