The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-02-07
The Presidoncv.

w II tuuSlcT tlc IOilOWlnp uDlc ar
ticle to our columns from that sterling
sheet, the Lancaster InteHigmcer, not
only on account of the source from
which 1t comes, but because of the in
nate good sense which makes the ar
tclc. ED. CoLUMsrAN,
The Radical Presidential programme
is rapidly developing. When Congress
met in November it gave signs of mod
Grafton and regard for the will of the
people. The scheme of Impeachment
was promptly dismissed. But since the
Christmas adjournment, Congress has
become more violent than ever. stan
ton has been reinstated, military die
ia torship devised for the South, and the
Supreme Court insulted and attacked.
At the same time, Grant has been an
nounced as the Republican candidate for
President.
This movement clearly indicates what
has recently taken place within the Re-
publican lines. The Radicals have again
threatened disruption of the party if
their measures are not carried through,
and the more moderate have again sub
mitted. But as the latter have always
been governed by the spoils, the candi-
date for the Presidency is conceded to
them. The Radicals are to have the
principles, and the moderates the plum
der of the party. Each division thus
gets what it most desires; and success is
to be secured by the negro electoral
votes of the South pieced out with the
military popularity of Grant.
1t cannot be denied that this is prom
Using arrangement, and it must be OPP
posed by the Democracy with more in
tegrity, but equal skill. While we rely
upon the soundness of our principles,
and the indignant hostility of the people
against the Radical projects of tyranny,
revolution and negro supremacy, we
must have Presidential and Vice Presi-
dental candidates who will comman d
the support of all that agree with Us in
principle. We must have candidates
whose record and history will entirely
satisfy those that are expected to vote
for them. They must attract the votes
of Conservatives who have formerly
acted with the Radical party, and not
repel them. In short, the Democratic
candidates must not c0ry ireigM in the
race.
In the coming campaign we want the
benefits of the experience of the last
eventful years, and desire to fight the
battle of 1868 upon the living issues of
the present, and upon these atone.
We are not of those who think that
the welfare of the country or party de-
pends upon an individual or two. There
are many Democratic statesmen and
soldiers among whom we can find sat
isfactOry candidates for our National
ticket, and it is only necessary that these
should he free from positive objection.
The Democracy will make the coming
canvass distinctively upon principle; /;
and it is only important to have cand-
dates whose past career will not deprive
them of the votes their principles would
attract.
The Pennsylvania delegation should
go to the Democratic National Conven-
ton open to the conviction and free from
all instructions and preferences. Their
main purpose should be to select the
most suitable and available candidates,
and for this reason they should be ac-
cessable to argument until the very day
of the Convention. These revolution
ary times are fruitful of change, and
the candidates preferred in March
might not be most acceptable in June.
The blunders of the enemy, too, are talk
ing place so rapidly that we should be
in a condition to improve them as they
occur. The two-thirds rule only re-
quires discretion on the part of one
third of the Convention to secure us
from an unfortunate nomination ; and
although we entertain the highest hope
from the patriotism and disinterested-
ness of the whole body,it is consolatory
to know that the prudence Of one-third
of its members will suffice to save the
party and rescue the country.
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