New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-25
GREELEY's CLAIMS AS A CANDIDATE.

THE HON. ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT TO THE BAL
TIMORE CONVENTION DELEGATES.
The Hon. Robert Il. Roosevelt, member of
Congress from the Iyth District Of this State, has ad
dressed the following letter to tho delegates from the
state OF New-York to the Democratic Convention at
Bal timore, giving his for supporting Horace
Greeley:
DEAR SIR: Having been among the first Democrats TO
indOrse the action Of the Cincinnati Convention and 10
take open and active part in favor Of its candidates.
feel that owe 10 my party and especially 10 you
are ntrusted 90 the present juncture with response
bilify which is aimportant an explanation OF my
ducf and OF the reasons which controlled me- have
had certain advantages from my Official position for
that mistake now would be fatal TO party and dis
TO the country. When the proceedings OF the
liberal Convention were communicated To Washington,
most OF the Democratic members OF Congress looked
upon tho result as unfortunate, and as Offering no
possibility of combination against the corrupt,
centralized. dcspOtic and dangerous power which
now rules tue nation The first impression ssoIl
for the Democracy 10 accept their leading candidate
one who had been their lifelong and bitter opponent,
but Il was not many days before unexpected sent
ment manifested Itself among the people aud made itself
felt with their representatives at Washington ana III
became apparent great changes had taken place in
the public mind. Democrats from all portions Of tho
Union announced their approval OF the selection OF
Horace Greeley, while large and influential classes OF
both adopted and natiye-bOrn citizens welcomed his
nomination Enthusiastically. Especially was tnis APP
parent the South where the whites Of both parties
were anxious to unite upon him. the side to prevent
further outrages upon their liberties and property and
the other to gain or recover social position among the
people with whom they had made their homes. II the
negroes were still adverse, 1t account Of their
beng universally banded in their arbitrary Loyal
Leagues, and ignorantly acting under tho orders
of their leaders. But while the black vote
It mainly ''' exists provided the White vote is
united against it, any possible injury arising from its
loss would be far than oounerbaanced by the adj
hercnce OF the irish vote at the North where every bal
lot is OF consequence. Tho explanation Of this express
sion Of public opinion is to be found IN the changed rea
tons Of parties The Democrats, having been defeated
conclusiyey in several Of their positions have accepted
the expressed will OF the people, and universally agreed
abide by the late amendments 20 the Constitution,
and to give the blacks equal rights with white men;
This made it possible for them 70 unite with the Liberal
Republicans IN the support OF Mr. Greeley, who has a.
ways been prominent an advocate of universal am
he has been resOlute and determined foe TO
corruption and pecuaton in Official life, and whO more
over convinced by the Illegal OF the present
Administration, the danger TO our institutions In
the concentration OF power In centralized unscru-
pulous and irresponsible Government. These mu-
tua concessions left but single point Of
difference between Mr.. Greeley and the Democracy.
lie ProtectOnis, while they were supposed to be
visedy, for to judge by the votes OF Democratic MEM
bers OF Congress there was little party distinction
between these and the Republicans on this question,
many Of them being decided and prominent Protection
lists and voting Invariably with the extreme high tariff
advocates OF the other side. But this difficulty such
1t s entirely removed and disposed OF in the best
possible manner b! the Cincinnati platform in being
purely he representatives Of the people in looking
the interests Of their constituents questions OF
being expressly conded TO that branch OF the
Government by tle Constitution, at present heavy
duties on imports being fiscal necessity and much
capital having beentemped into unnatural channels by
unwise legislation, and not to be Immediately removed
without heavy loss the doctrine of Free Trade IS hardly
practical ISSUE although II is sure TO revive in few
years IL the Democratic party is not destroyed.
There are three prominent matters Of dispute at pres
en affecting the country; the first is the great question
OF corruption In oG; the second is Capitalization OF
power In opposition the Independence OF the States
negro supremacy under special laws placing the whites
at disadvantage win them Upon these essential doc
trines Horace Greeeyis Democrat, while upon the
tarIf both parties have loose hold on their members
III he accepted 10 offers almost absolute GER
tainty OF TRIUMPH as DO will not only relieve party
the unjust insiuatiOQs made by enemies IN
reference good th in accepting the results or
the civil war; but will bring to our support large body
OF dissatisfied Republicans His strength among the lat
ter, although apparent already VIII not De IulY nan
tested until he Is nominated at Baltimore, for without
that Endorsement he has not the elements OF success and
individuals 10th to join hopeless cause. There
arc signs OF great uprising OF t1e people ,b TO
present Admins trato but without that bis election
after such Endorsements certainty future
secured us The great States OF New-York and Pennsyl-
yania and brought about valuable and powerful com
State, with possible exception absolutely certain in
his favor. OF Mr.. Greeley's integrity and devotion TO
speak between us who know him and among whom ne
has lived the better part Of his life On the other ques
accord perfectly with the acknowledged views Of the
Democratic party. on essential issues he is therefore
entirely In accord with us. so that we make no sacrifice
Of duty OF honor In accepting the advances OF the
party which has nominated him and asks for ur sup
on the other hand If he is not accepted the dissolution
OF the Democratic party would seem inevitable NO
while no Liberal Republican could now be chosen so as
to bring in the supporters of the Cincinnati movement
even II one could be found popular IA Mr. Greeley
We have therefore 10 consider the comparative adyan-
tages Of moderate concessions which afterwards at
the proper time be again presented for the considera-
ton Of the public, must prepare to meet crush.
ing and overwhelming defeat with Its concomitans OF
disOrganzaton and disintegratiOn. The movement IN
favor OF Horace Greeley has gone too far TO be stopped;
the Liberal Republicans formally committed 70 hn,
and his selection has taken firm hold Of the De-
mocraey to its destruction should he be repu
dated this dissatisfaction perhaps going far as
10 assume the form OF bolt from the Convention II "a
less popular candidate should be chosen at Baltimore
These the reflections which have Influenced me I'm
the stand have taken and think IL only just to myself
10 submit them 10 you for your consideration The
present crisis Is serious involving nothing less than
the permanency OF the great principles under which our
country has hourshed for many years and which can
only De preserved aud restored through THIS movement
The responsibility Of the occasion rests with the delegates