New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-09-26

spectacle Just presented Of an open barter
OF those princinles for chances OF success;
the popular conscience has been debased. tho
fountains of popular intelligence have been
contaminated, and the simple rectitude OF
the popular mind has been distorted by
sophistical attempts TO show that the cause Oh
truth can be advanced by the methods OF
prayarication, and the interests of reform are
susceptible of being served by the instru-
ments Of corruption. Moreover, the series
of stratagcms and devices by which the eX-
traoriiuary combination between the sew
eral elements of the Greeley party has been
brought about has established a precedent in
our national politics which is sure OF being
followed hereafter, if the present scheme
meets with success. Instead OF open strug-
giles between great bodies representing an-
tagonsms of principles, or even OF passions
and prejuaices, our Presidential contests VIII
degenerate into games Of chance, in which
the cards will certainly not be held by hon
est men.
Senator Schurz has recently told you III
this hall that g this period is pregnant with
new formations, which need but the electro
f! spark ofan opportunity to spring into shape.
| Speaking with all due Difference, may DO
/ permitted to say that it is not the electro
spark of opportunities. but the electro spark
of ideas which brings about the crystailza-
| ton OF new historical forms. And whoever
sacrifices the faith in the force OF those Ideas
to a trust in the efficacy OF cunning nachln-
atoms is certainly not in league WIN the
tendencies OF natural development.
Finding myself under the control OF con-
victions such as those to which [ have this
evening given imperfect utteranca, cannot
cooperate with the reform movement IN It's
present phase, and give expression to my
dissatisfaction with the Republican party ~
with Gen. Grant by voting for Mr.. Greeley
I cannot accept The result Of the Cincinnati
Convention either as au adequate realization
OF the aspirations of the people for reform
or even as q part fulfilment of the hopes
had cherished in its behalf. As | said in {
recent letter to a friend, am unable to ac
cept lie as the first instaliment of 4 truth
or base trick as part payment OF a debt o
honesty. do not believe that the election
of Mr.. Greeley would be a step in adyanc,
toward anything which is desirable in Old
national affairs. | am wholly at 4 loss how
the promotion OF ferocious protectionist t.
the Presidential Office can tend to pr0mot
the cause OF revenue reform, or an Admins
tration deriving its wisdom from the Sage G
Chappaqua and its impulses and inspiration
from the old Democratic party can pave til
way for reform Of any kind. And if L al
exhorted that sensible and practical mel
accept WIN Gc5i,9tial.oI Wiltl Is llliLl.iD4S
and make the most of it, | can only answc
that this atlmonition impresses me very muc
as a mariner among the breakers would b
impressed b. the advice to throw his con
pass and seNtant overheard, and to run hi
| vessel on the nearest reef, that being tn
only landing place immediately within hi
reach. 1 mean to retain my grasp OF til
; helm and to keep my eye on the direction {
the needle. There is something else attain
. able for me III this Presidential canvass tina
success III electing my candidate, and that
, the maintenance Of The integrity Of my pun
, pose and the preservation OF my faith tina
; the only way to reach the right end is t
/ persist in travelling the right road. My vot
this fall will not, in all probability, help {
make the majority OF The successful candidat
, more imposing, or the minority of the de
feated candidate more respectable. / hay
, stEivcn to the last with few friends to plac
) candidate IN the field around whom til
; friends OF true reform could rally, if not wit
, the hope Of carrying the standard Of our cor
l victions to victory, at least with the resol,
T ton to bear il steadily aloit. We have faileG
| and cheerfully bear my part Of the obloqll
which, in the eyes Of those who march i
) front of crowd, attaches to oar failure. An
am happy to know that in all parts of til
! country there are brave and thoughtful me
who take courage from their abiding iaitl
, and who, like myself, are Of good cheer
: spite Of our apparent discontinue. The
4. know that though they cannot elect Pres
: dent, they can keep the clear note OF trut
t vibrating in the air, and hold the fervor
/ their devotion to lis cause undiminished,
thoir own hearts NJ least