Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-06-05
Chances of Democratic Success.

Previous to the election in New York,
Pennsylvania and Ohio, We ventured the
assertion that Democratic successes in these
States would be followed by the nomina-
ton of General GRANT as the Radical can
didate for President, while the contrary
result would insure the nominations OF
Chief Justice CHASE by that party. The
reasons which were plain at that time, are
rather reversed now. Thea GRANT had
but few political admirers, while CHASE
was beyond doubt the fayorte of the par
ty. GRANT was toe conservative to suit
the views of the leaders. The great polit-
ical reaction which gave the Democrats the
three leading States of the Union caused
party managers to grow circumspect.
Judge CHASE, the orthodox Radical, was
thrown overheard, end GRANT, the smok-
ing political nondescript, was announced
the coming man And practically, since
the October and November elections, he
has been as much the recognized Radical
candidate for President as If the nomina-
ting Convention had already placed him
forward as such.
But in order to bring the more extreme
members up TO support of their candi-
date, it became necessary to commit him
thoroughly to the tenets of the party. And
so skillfully have they manipulated their
man, that GRANT stands before the country
Radical of the straitest sect ; while
CHASE, throwing aside the politician for the
sterner duties of the judge, begins to loom
up as the favorite of the conservative and
dissenting wing of that party. We had
thought that GRANT, in endorsing the Chi
cago platform, would fill the entire bill,
but it seems that even yet the most ex-
treme men, remembering his former views
and his recent reticence, are unwilling to
support him.
The nomination of GRANT has been for.
gone conclusion for such length of time,
that very naturally it has created little OF
no enthusiasm, nor has his 81 opposed po-
pularity been able to stop tn progress of
the reaction against his party. In New
Hampshire lis name is virtually as much
before the people as it will be IN Novem-
ber-ir fact, with the Radicals it was the
only issue-and yet the majority has been
cut down more than one-half In Connecti-
cut the namc Of GRANT was used
so far to carry the elections that his
photographs adorned the Radical ticket,
and yet, in the largest vote ever polled in
the State, the Democratic MAJ ority was
nearly doubled. in the city elections of
Chicago, but a few days previous to the
meeting of the National Radical Conven-
ton, in which very large vote was urged
out to give cheerful welcome to tho dele
gates and solid homo endorsement to
&c neral GRANT, this most reliable Radical
city Of the North was completely revolu-
tionized and the Democratic candidates
elected by handsome majorities.
It is quite certain that New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Della
ware, Maryland, Kentucky and California.
casting ninety-eight electoral votes, will
vote against GRANT. No States can be
claimed with more absolute certainty for
him than these against him. Now if ordi-
nary prudence is observed in the action of
the New York Convention, Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois, having between them fifty