New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-18
POOR FRINK!

Gen Francis p Blair, j., Is the Democratic
nominee for Vice President, and the VIGOROUSLY
delicate health of ex-Gov. Seymour renders
probable his early accession to the Presidency
in the most improbable contingency of his party
triumphing in the approaching election. HIS
opinions, deliberately expressed on the gravest
question now demanding the attention of our
countrymen, were given 10 the public with eX-
press reference to his own nomination for the
Presidency. He virtually said to the COnyen-
ton. Here is the sort of man you will find in
Frank Blair this is the way he would deal
with the problem Of Reconstruction: if you
would have it 50 dealt with, | am your man.
The Convention nominated him, not merely IN
view of this letter, but emphaticallY because OF
this letter: and the unchanged Rebel organs at
the South are now quoting and eXuitng oyerlt
as their strong reason for supporting the Tam
many ticket 1t is the keynote Of their canvass.
Hence the importance widely attached to it.
The World is troubled by this letter. 1t
badly wants to have its ticket regarded as
Conservative; while here is its second candl-
dates letter Of the most Jacobinic and reyolu-
tionary tvpe-nOt an old letter, hunted up to
annoy him by its untimey "reminiscences; not
a private letter, betrayed by some friendly in
discretion; but fresh deliberate letter, writ
ten for the public, and first printed in The
Vorld-written for the Convention expressly
to commend the writer to its favor-as 1t evil
IDENTIFY did How are its clear drift and pur-
port explained away?
The World tries 10 set q back fTe-Or rather
to raise smoke-by talking of one Greeley,
who has been (and is) an advocate OF Univer-
sal Amnesty and Impartial Suffrage-who
chose to emphasize his convictions at the
moment when to do so was to preclude his own
election to the L. S. Senate, which others said
had else been certain-who defied caution and
alenated friends by signing the baii-bond Of
Jefferson Davis, &c, &c. This The World
pleads as an offset to Blair's Jacobinism.
But who objects to Blair that he would be
merciful to those who have been Rebels Who
has assailed him as an advocate of Universal
AmnestyY Look again at his programme, as
originally put forth by The World:
"There is but way to restore the Government and
the iConsttution: and that is for me PreSdeneeet 10
declare these Reconstruction acts nnH ana rom compel
the army 10 undo its uSpaiOnS at ne South dSperSe me
cdrpetbdg State Governments dOp the White people 10 re
organize their oicn gOre,ames and eiect senators ana
Representatives. The House Of Representatives will con
tain majority Of Democrats from the North, and they
will admit the representatives elected by the Whe
OF the South, and with the cooperation OF the
President will not be difficult to compel the Senate to
submit once the obligations Of the Constitution
1t will not be able TO Withstand the public Judgment II
distinctly invoked and clearly expressed on this funda
mental issue and is the way to avoid all future
strife TO put this issue plainly to the country"
Gen. Blair, it will be seen, chooses Ito put
" this issue plainly to the country" He deems
this "the sure way to avoid all future strife"
He therefore, natures his programme; The
World prints it; the Democratic Convention
adopts it, by nominating its author If the
American People want that programme exc
cuted they will of course elect that author
There is the whole case in a nutshell; and
we are willing to submit it on tie instant and
without further argument.
The World unable to vindicate Blair's mani
festo essays the safer task of disappearing
Greeley, whose position it thus caricatures:
"His creed habitualy condensed by himself into the
brevity OF motto, Universal Amnesty and Impair
ta Suffrage He demonstrated with great force OF argu
ment and headstrong fervor against the mpoiey ana
what he then regarded the futy, OF excluding the
leading citizens OF the South from active participation IN
the politics of their section He did not think II essential
all the should vote, but only such part or
them should be found TO possess reasonable qaanea
tions OF intelligence"
Mr.. Greeley did not, and does not believe