Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-16
POLITICAL.
If at First You Don't Succeed, Try
Again.
Notable Meeting Of Ohio Liberals
and Democrats.
Resolutions Of the Liberals.
Joint Address Of the State Committees
COnciliating, Patriotic and Inspiring.
The Liberal Meeting.

The Liberal Meeting.
COLUMBUS, o., Nov. ia special con-
sultation meeting of the Democrats and
Liberal Republicans of Ohio was held here
to-day. The Liberals about forty in num-
Der, met separately and adopted resolutions
declaring in their opinion it was desirable
that consolidation of all elements favoring
the leading principles enunciated by the
Cincinnati platform should be effected, and
that until such consolidation is effected the
Liberal organization should be maintained
and perfected; that the next Liberal State
Convention should declare squarely in Ia
vor of a tariff for revenue only, and invite
all persons without regard to FORM
er political associations to unite
with them; recommending that
after the next State Convention the name
of Liberia Republican IS a party name
should be dropped, and that of the Liberal
party be adopted; asking all organizations
which have thus far co-operated with the
Liberal Republicans to abandon the old
party name with view to more perfect
union under the name of Liberals; that as
party they are opposed to all special legis-
lation or spe cial privileges, believing that
the equal rights of all should be the guiding
principle on all ramifcations of govern
mental affairs and under great care in Sc
lecting candidates for members Of Consti-
tutional Conventions.
Meeting OF the Joint State Commit
The Democratic and Liberal Republican
State Central Committees together with
large number of other representatives of the
two organic atoms from various parts of the
State, held consultation meeting this eve
ming In this city pursuant to 3 call issued
on the 9th of this month. A committee
had been appointed By the Democratic
aid Liberal Republican State Executive
Committees TO prepare an address to the
Democrats and Liberals of Ohio for con-
sideration and adoption by this meeting.
This committee consisted of Senator Th ur-
man, Gen. Thomas Ewing, Gen. Brinker-
hoff and John G. Deshler. Senator Thur
man on behalf of the committee reported
the address to the meeting. 1t was con-
sidered and unanimously adopted as fol-
lows:
The Joint Address.
To the Democrats and Liberal Republi-
cans of Ohio: The Presidential election is
over and Grant is reelected. 1t is not our
purpose at this time to speak of the causes
of this result. 1t is the future that de-
mands your attention, and a recur-
renee to the past is useful only TO
ascertain facts aud lessons to teach.
A vast majority of the Democratic party,
perhaps 95 per cent, voted for Greeley. a
large number of citizens heretofore Of tbs
Republican organization, also voted for
him. The aggregate of their votes, as near
" as we can estimate, exceeds three mill
ions and a quarter. The nominal popular
| majority for Grant is something over half a
| million-on vote Of nearly or quite seven
millions, majority of about seven per cent.
This is the result, as nearly as we are able,
in the absence of official returns, to state it.
But this vote does not represent with eX-
| actness the sentiment of the country. 1t is
evident that large body OF electors stayed
away from the polls. Nearly every one OF
these men is an opponent OF the Admins
tration, and if they had seen 1T to cast their
votes, Grants popular majority would be
very small, if it indeed would exist at all.
The prominent features OF the election
may be briefly stated: Ninety-h i've per
cent. of the Democrats voted for Greeley;
of the remaining five per cent. compare
lively small number voted for Grant; the
greater part of them did not vote at all.
OF the Liberal Republicans who Joined the
party of reform large majority stood fast,
while others, despairing of success, went
back to their old associations or stayed at
home.
Now, leaving out of view the vensl men
who, from corrupt motives, deserted the
cause and voted for Grant, and who cannot
be relied upon by any party that uses none
but honorable means to further its success,
it may be safely affirmed that the great
body Of electors who stayed away from
the polls are now as they have been in
times past, opposed to the dominant
Radical party.
1t is true that they did not vote, and by
their votes manifest their opposition, at the
late election, and this fact is greatly TO be
regretted; but let US not rashly cast harsh
censures upon them. If they could not
overcome their old feelings and prejudices
SO far as to vote for lifelong opponent, we
may deplore the fact, but we should not be
so unjust as to place them in the ranks Of
our enemies. We have an abiding faith
that with time and reflection they will be
found as heretofore actively on our side.
The Radical camp is no camp for them,
nor is it the part of wisdom to draw party
tomahawk upon Democrats or Liberal Re-
publicnas who from conscientious but IN s.
taken motives saw fit to vote for Grant.
The circumstances were novel and peculiar,
such as had never before been seen and men
of the best intentions were liable to err.
Condemn as strongly as you will the base
men who sold their votes, but be charitable
to your old friends who, under circumstap-
ces of difficulty and embarrassment differed
with you in opinion. Instead of repelling,
strive to win them back. Free, indepen-
dent thought is the very essence of Democ-
racy and the true Republicanism it creates.
The Democratic party in the beginning fos-
tered it; it has maintained it ever since; it
gave rise to the Liberal Republican ele-
ment of to-day, and to it we must look for
accessions in the future. What is needed
then Is not elimination and recIimination,
but the opposite.
Three and quarter millions of electors
have protested by their votes against the
Radical misrule under which the country
has suffered and which threatens to over
throw the very foundations of free Govern
ment. The reasons for their protest are as
potent to-day as they were when they cast
their votes. By every consideration of con-
sistency and just principle these men are
bound to continue to act together. The
necessity for reform is likely to increase in
stead of diminish. The advocates OF CEN
tralization are likely to become more auda-
cious than ever in their attacks upon local
self government. The exactions OF COM
bined wealth and the corrupt use of money
in elections are likely to become established
usages if not speedily rebuked.
1t is not time therefore for any lover of
tree institutions, of purity in elections and
government, and of jast and equal law to
relax his efforts, nor is it intelligent or wise
or manly to despair of success. No reform
party ever gained its first battle. Consoli-
dated abuses can only be overihrown by
repeated assaults. Monopoly and corrup-
ton ever die hard, but in the end they do
die when free and virtuous people will
their destruction.
We say then to every friend of reform,
Be of good cheer. Ohio is, we believe, the
only State in which the Radical majority of
1865 has been reduced. A few more strug-
giles and it will cease TO exist.
JOHN g. THOMPSON,
Chairman Democratic State Central Com.
r. BRINKERHoFF,
Chairman Liberal Republican State Central
Committee.
The duty of calling State Conventions Of
the two organizations was remitted to the