Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-10-22
Democracy DemoraIized.


DEMOCRATIC cIRcLEs-sErMouR ANXIOUS
TO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. WON'T PERMIT II
ROW IN THE COMMITTEE.
The elections on Oct. 18th, made the election
of Grant certain beyond the shadow of a
doubt. Every intelligent democrat in this
country recognizes the fact that Horatio
Seymour and Frank Blair can not be elected
President, and Vice President of the United
States, and they further recognize the fact
that If tho party shoots the Niagara awaiting
1t on the third of November, it goes down
forever 10 lay its wreck with those of the old
Federalist, Wing, and Native American
Parties.
The question now with intelligent demo-
Gratis is: what can be done for the future !?
What can be done to break the force of the
coming defeat,so that the party shall have
enough of vitality left to be reorganized
during the next four years.
The New York World, the organ of the
leaders of the Democratic party, devotes a
two column, double-leadcd editorial to the
consideration of the subject, arguing that it
was not the Republican principles, but their
candidates which triumphed, and that it was
not the Democratic principles which were
defeated, but--well the World kindly
does not say sour candidates, but it certain
ly means them, and especially Blair.
We make the following extract from this
remarkable editorial 3
In inquiring why, having come so near
success in these elections, we have just miss
ed 1t, two reasons appear, in the absence of
either of which our triumph would have
been certain. These reasons are such as to
show that majority of the people are real
ly on our side, and have been repelled from
our support by things having no proper con-
nection with the merits of the canvass. If
the military prestige Of General Grant had
been out Of the scale we should have sue
ceeded; or, that remaining, if the pervcr-
sions of General Blair's position had been
out of the scale we should have succeeded.
The narrow escape of the Republicans
from great defeat is not due to their prin-
cples, but to the military prestige of Grant
and the aspersions cast upon Blair In u
simple contest of principle we should have
succeeded; and we may succeed yet, if we
can remove or neutralize these adverse influ
ences, which have really nothing to do with
the merits of the public questions.
Can this be done? 1t is grave question
fraught with the most momentous conse-
quences. We commend it to the attention,
to the most earnest reflection, of the recog-
nized leaders of the party. We have still
nearly three weeks for action; and where
so slight u cOuntcrpoise would suffice to turn
the scale, prompt action--ifi it be iudicious
is well as prompt-will accomplish won
ders. If, in u review of the whole situation,
1t shall be concluded that mistakes have
been made, it is better that they should be
corrected now, than that the country should
be dragged through four more weary years
of strife, to be redeemed then by mea-
sures Of the same kind that might, by a
magnificent exercise of pluck, be as easily
| adopted now.
If our leaders should be convinced by the
| result of the late elections that some mis-
takes were made by not following their orig
inal judgment; fthose who disagreed with
them in opinion now see that they misjudg-
ed; ii there is any impediment to success
which can yet be removed by noble daring,
or self-sacrificing virtue, or a bold stroke Of
policy, now is the hour for action II
would be an infinite pity if, when we are
SO very near success, we should fail to win
it by the lack of little boldness. L'0uddct
raulace, tonjours taudace! Our prin-
ciptes have not been rejected in these cleo
tions; there is no call to change them. AL
other clements OF the canvass are light ant
trivial compared with the success of our prin
ciplcs. 1t requires some greatness of SOU
to act bold part in an unexpected crisis
when everything hangs upon swift ant
| lpatCipn m thtp hour tuftpr
the party stands with one foot over the brinl
of peril, and the other on the edge of victo
ry, the capacity ofa few men to form {
great resolution, may shape the destiny o
the country. "We speak as unto wise men
judge we what we say"
The Washington correspondent of TIL
Philadelphia Ledger and Baltimore Sun
signing himself 'sF. +. ;" in the former paper
and 'Data, in the latter, and understood t
be the official exponent Of the opinions, pre-
vailing in the White House, ,tclegraphed thes
papers, Friday, as follows: =
"Quite stir has been created here anon
Democrats, by Information received here to
day Of action on the part OF leading Demo
Gratis in the northern cities, looking to III
withdrawal of Seymour and Blair, and th
nomination in their stead of Chase, johnson
Hancock, or some other of the prominen
tive candidates for the Presidency.
1t appears upon inquiry that the moyemen
started yesterday and had its rise in privat
!, dispatches from leading Democrats in th
West to others in New York and this city
suggesting the calling together of the Natior
al Democratic Executive Committee, and tl
withdrawal of Seymour and Blair and til
, nomination of others in their place. Th
editorial suggestion of the New York Worl
i of the same plan is regarded as part Of til
same movement
| The National Intelligencr will have u
3 editorial tomorrow morning, giving a reile
, of the views entertained by Democrats hei
5 on the subject, suggesting a withdrawal
f the candidates and the nomination of others
In his letter to the Baltimore ,Satn I'll
same correspondent says:-
( dispatches have been received here I,
i day that there is very general coincident
i of opinion on the subject among the leade
r of the democracy, and this fact and the ot
a er that the New York World has an editor
q al suggestive of the same plan, is taken as
q sort of Judgment pro cOnfeSSO against Il
i and an acknowledgment of the absolute n
" cessity, therefore, of the nomination of ne
d candidates.
/, ig6ncer's article on the subject this NOR
o ing;-
o SIN putting up a ticket, then, sound po
Il cy and patriotism demanded that the dem
IL Gratis should distinctly recognize as with
oi the pale of their organization all who oppt
Y, ed the measures Reconstruction lawsl
8 which we have referred. The New Yo
ar Convention thought otherwise; and nomiI
IN ted Gov. Seymour and Gen. Blair. The
sr nominations we admit, were judicio
N enough, if the object alone was to maints
nj the integrity of the democratic party
u again and again declared that the preser'
&c tion of the Union, under the authority of
IN organic law, was the grand purpose we Ii
u in view in entering upon the canvass of Isl
a, a, ''As minority could avail little in suel
Ill work policy and sound principles demand
es nominations which would draw largely fr,
q, conservative men of all parties. The
nd mand was not needed, but it is still in
II force, and now is the time to obey it.
m those upon whom the convention of
us party conferred the great honor of its col
dence rise to the height of the great occasi
and then, emulating their exalted patriots
ne let the National Executive Committee e
cute tI,o tr,,ot ranocad in thap, hv tho ppn