The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-07-17
FOR PRESIDENT:
ULYSSES s. GRANT,
THEDEMOCRATIC MIDDLE.

What with the platform, and the candidates
of the Democracy, Its editors and its managers
are at their wits end, and are thrown com
pletely upon the defensive, and sorry work
do they make Of II. Their candidate for the
Presidency fs, or rather his speeches so place
him, in favor Of keeping fAith with the public
creditor, and OF paying the bonds, interest and
principal, in coinj but the party has placed him
upon platform which goes for reputation.
During the war the cry In the Democratic
party was for peace-give us peace, said Its
champions. Now they have nominated . can.
didate for Vice President who goes fer war
war in its most terrific aspect. He would in
augurate war all over the country-not a sec.
tional struggle like the hrst-but war every.
where throughout the land. 1t Is amusing to
see how the knowing ones struggle to relieve
the party from this terrible embarrassment.
The newspapers Of the party are aoundering
about, and making desperate effort to recon-
ellie what they have said heretofore with what
they are obliged to say now and In the future.
The World is certain that the platform must
be construed to mean this: that the green
backs must be brought up to gold values, and
then they may be employed to redeem the
public debt.
On the other hand, the Chicago TimeI is
alike confident that the platform indorses Mr..
Pendleton's view, which is that the debt
should be paid In currency, be its value what
it may. ...r
Thus 1t will be seen that these papers
have entered upon q work OF explanation
which 1t will take them from now till Novem-
Der to complete. So we have them on the hip.
They must explain. They must remain on the
defensive. ...
The World sees the dilemma In which its
party is placed, and very naturally tries to
explain 1t, and to reconcile the VARIOUS con-
tradictions. The World says:
1.-THE Democratic party has doubtless made
itself responsible, 10 some erfent for the recent
uttersnees of Its candidates. 1t Is responsible
for those OF Gov. seymour as well as for those
fasfifuie speech, made he ytaaneiai qussfion he
grand pirof Of his policy, and put forth viecs trheh
must commend The approval Of all honsd and en-
iighfsned men. Gen. Blair, In MS letter, makes the
overthrow Of negro reeonstruction the dliipspor.
iGni thing, and LeihiieS The financial question.
With candidates thus publicly differing, what
nominating Gov. Seymour for the position Of
real authority, Il GAGE iis practical Enforcement
Of his vie,rG by nominating Gen. Blair for an
its detestation OF the negro governments, 5ui
reserved The 9ueSiion hOD they are 10 be dealt 9th
for future decision. Had NE candidates changed
misfdke.
1.-THE next Democratic President can make nc
civil OF military appointments without the con
sent OF the Republican Senate; and while Mr..
Blair would have been unsble to get his nom.
nations confirmed, Mr.. Seymour will probably
find no difhculty. II Mr.. Seymour should die
in office, the Senate would compel Mr.. Blair
TO keep all his civil predecessors appolntees,
including the Cabinet and would allow him
to give no new officers to the army. The pre-.
tended alarm at his letter Is ridiculous.n =
Was ever argument more silly, lame and
impotenti The sum Of this reasoning is thai
neither Mr. Seymour nor Mr. Rlair can df