The Van Buren press., 1872-05-21
Greeley and the Democratic Nomination

There arc some Democrat who favor
straight nomination at the Baiti-
more Convention, because, in their opln-
ion, we can slip in between the Two ne
publican candidates, as they call Messrs'
Greeley and Grant. They illustrate it by
referring to the Presidential election ol
1860, when Mr.. Lincoln was chosen on
account Of the conflict between the Dem
ocratic friends of Douglas and BFeekih-
ridge, and ask why we can not avail our
ourselves of the same opportunity which
the present circumstances offer we
ANSWER, for the best Of all reasons. Ihere
wiU not be too candidates heretofore re
publican, against a Democrat II regu-
lar Democratic nominations are made at
Baltimore, the only competitors they will
have will be the candidates OF the Grant
Philadelphia Convention. 1t would he
the Republican organization against the
Democratic organization. The fact of
the business is just this Months ago the
Democrats in Congress gave the strong
est written assurances to Messrs. Irum-
bull, Schurz and others, who were Anti
Grant Republicans, and who desired
above all things to defeat the extrava-
giant and corrupt measures OF the Grant
Administration, that if they would make
an independent movement as Republi
cans, outside OF the party, the Democrats
would support them with all the power
of their organization. II it was necessa-
ry to run Anti Grant Republicans to ac-
complish their ends, they could count
upon us. No man likes to be engaged
in a movement where he can be shot
down between two opponents. The Re
publican Anti,Grant men, approaching
the generosity of this promise upon the
part of the Representatives of the Demo-
cratic party, went galantly forward, and
have risked their political fortunes in the
Cincinnati Convention. Now, these Con-
gressmen, it is certain, had no authority
to bind the Democratic masses. But
those with whom they treated believed
they spoke in their behalf and that be-
lief, for practical purposes, is as impor-
tant as if it was founded on truth. The
Cincinnati Convention Republicans, rely
ing upon it, have taken step in advance,
supposing that ON these new issues,
where they agreed with the Democrats,
the would excite not only no opposition,
but, on the contrary, would receive their
votes. If it turns out to be erroneous,
if the Democrats refuse to fratenize with
those who agree materially with them
now, on account Of their hostility in the
past, upon the, old issues growing out Of
slavery and the war, they (the Cincinnati
Convention Republicans) will also fall
back upon their main body, and fight
over again the dead and extinct issues of
the past Dir Adams, Mr.. Greeley, and
all Of their leading men, have so said land
we can not blame them for it. 1t is 9
poor rule that don't work both way
1t is present issues, and not the old re
collections of the past, that we want, anC
the country most demands. There vii
be but two nominees, as we have intima
led-thc choice of Baltimore and tn,
, choice Of Grants office holders. Eve,
J If three candidates were to run, Of whicl
there is no probability, the only effec
would be to threw the choice into tn
: present House of Representatives ma
' ority of which, constitutionally speak
; ing, is for Grant, each State having on
| vote in that body. The proposal to di
5 vide the Democratic strength and to 6
t against Greeley is, therefore, practically
a a Grant movement. inclnHa" E"1uf'