Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-07-17
THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION.

In speaking of the Baltimore Conven-
ton as being of small Importance in our
editorial of yesterday, it wodld, of course,
be understood as being true only. in a re-
stricted sense. In morecomprehensive
view, it assumes Importance and signifi-
canoe. We can not close cur eyes to the
power of the Democratic party in this
country. The rebellion Yves the work its
leaders, who were supported by the rank
and file all over the country. A more full,
free and open expression would have been
made in the North, had Il not been over
awed by the strong force of public
feeling in favor of the government. The
wish has been father to the expression
of the thought that the party was ode
funct," "rotten carcass" &c. 1t is not
dead, and Republicanism may as well
accept and act upon the fact to-day
as at any future time. The proceedings at
Baltimore will result in the disintegration
of the Democratic party as at present or
ganized, or it will be the occasion of q re-
newal of strength. IflHorace Greeley is
accepted, it will be because the leaders see
q choice opportunity for a new departure
to the seat of power and renewed political
strength. 1t will draw back to its fold
and bring again into harness those who
daring of that terrific "plug-uglyn pow
er within it, so ready to follow the bidding
of Tammany and Baltimore.
Every body knows that the DEM
ocratic party have no love for
Horace Greeley. All the noise and
enthusiasm that may be manifest will be
simply an expression ofithe faith and hope
of ability to manipulate the President,
should he be elected-Senter-wise- the
reconstruction of their political future.
The bailor of Jeff Davis will not turn his
back upon jeff Davis friends when they re-
4 ~ I. +
for his election. From to-day the Demo-
cratic party set out with the deserters from
the Republican party on Us side, in renew
al of strength and determination to regain
the power of which for the last decade it
has been deprived, and to WELD it in re-
storing, so far as possible, all that it
has lost in the South, and all
the benefits, pickings and plumber from
which it has for time been suspend
ed in New York. Either this or a disinte-
grafton of the party, complete with
drawal of its best element; and, should
this be the desirable issue, a.control of the
rough and vile elements thatHwill be left in
possession of the old party name.
1t is evident enough that the New York
Post and its coadjutors have no desire to
train any longer in Tweed and McCunn's
Tammany, as at present con-
stituted, (for any pretended reconstruction
there is but q change of names in the bill, J
is not to the taste of Mr.. Bryant or Mr..
Parke Goodwin, nor to any of their party
who ho&estly desire political reform.
The deings at Baltimore will determine
if that class of men are to remain in their
present political ostracism, or co-leaders
and workers in party, that shall preserve
the integrity of the government and make
uprightness and honest service in all its
departments an unquestioned fact
Whatever may be the issue, it becomes
Republicanism to consider that Democracy
is not yet dead. and that tomorrow it may
have to grid on its best armor in defense
and draw the best arrow from the culver
for its destruction or defeat No matter
under what name the party supporting
DIR. Greeley is carrying on the campaign
no matter what names drawn from the
Republican ranks are arrayed to suggest
or enforce the idea OF its being a Republi-
can movement-it is under the leadership
of the old Democracy, and the end is the
restoration of the old Democratic power.
We say, then, that the Convention at
Baltimore is significant and important.