Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-17
FOR GOVERNOR.
SIDNEY PERHAM.
Will GREELEY WTTHDRA "

WILL GREELEY WITHDRA "?
There are many good reasons to believe
that the withdrawal OF Mr. Greeley may
take place before the Baltimore conven-
ton. His lack of strength among repub-
licans is becoming so apparent that he is
losing the appearance of availability to
defeat Grant. which was his only recon-
mendation in the eyes of the opposition.
All that keeps him in the field is the pres
sure from the democratic party. 1t can
not be concealed that far the largest part
Of the liberal republican faction would hail
with pleasure the retirement of Mr. Gree
lev as candidate. Those who still cling
to his fortunes in appearance are really
disheartened and acknow ledge themselves
beaten before the battle begins. Desper-
ate measures have been resorted to in
order to create the impression that he will
draw A considerable vote from the repub-
licans. but they viii fail to accomplish
their object. The prospect is that ii he
shall be nominated at Baltimore as the
democratic candidate nearly all the liberal
republicans will fall back to the support
of Grant, and the democratic party will
be hopelessly divided. the most respecta-
bl portion going for Grant in preference
to Greeley. The democratic leaders be-
lieve that the rank and file of their party
will vote for Greeley as the regular can
didate. but the monstrous inconsistency of
supporting Greeley looseus the bonds Of
organization, and individuals will feel
that they are not bound to stand by Il par
ty which has turned its back upon its
record and principles and asks them to
vote for its most notorious opponent and
villifier A recent article in the Spring
field Republican, the Greeley organ o.
Massachusetts. is SO significant Of disaster
to Mr.. Greeley if he keeps the field thai
we should think he would retire at once
The Republican speaks OF the outlook foi
Grant as follows:
Now that his denomination is an accom-
plished fact General Grant is doubtless sean
ming the political heavens with increased in
terest, and he finds them undeniably propi
tious to his candidacy. To begin with, it ha
the prestige of regularity. His friends claim
TO be the only orthodox republicans in The
country, and they are in possession of the
party premises and furniture. This count.
for good deal more than some persons seem
to think. "That strange power. a name,' is
still potent, even with the most intelligent of
US. Old republicans shrink back from the
thought of leaving the party for which they
have labored and Of which they have been so
proud. Gen. Grant has also the prestige of
great military services. The passions excited
by the war are subsiding, but they are still
capable of being utilized for the purpose of
his canvass. Judging from present appear
ances, the great bulk Of the negro vote will
be thrown for him. He can count upon the
active support of the huge railroad corpora
tons and the other monopolies-an element
which is playing more important part in our
politics at present than many suspect. Final
ly, he has on his side that natural and power
ful instinct in the nature of the capitalist and
the tradesman which deprecates change and
clings to the existing status. Money-bags are
always and everywhere conservative When
you have proved to the busy wealth seek ers
that the President has shown an indecent
fondness for gifts, that he has appointed ras-
cally or incapable kinsmen, to office, that he
has cracked if not broken the laws, what have
you accomplished by your demonstration !?
They will reply to you: '.Gen. Grant isa safe
man. The country has prospered and its
credit improved under his administration.
We know him, and know that he can be
trusted not to smash things. 1t would be
folly in US to take the risk of change Let
well enough alone" This laissez- flire marty
is one of the Oldest in the world. and il al
ways has full ranks. 1t stood for twenty
years between Louis Napoleon and his enc
mics, eiFrench!republican The Wis inertia
plays at least as large a role in politics as in
physics. 1t is a force which no politician VINO
understands his business, will underrat.
Supplemented by the other forces we have
mentioned, j. may very well put Gen. Grant
at the head of the poll, next November