Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-02-23
The Cincinnati ConrentIon.

W ChTTy tne NatlOnal OOnVenuOn, Inht
they might dictate the platform and
nominate the candidates But to summon
an earlier convention Is to declare that
they do not believe themselves to be a
majority, or that they fear the Phila-
delphia Convention will not honestly
represent the party. II the former sup
position be correct, they are merely
factious IL the latter, they assume what
they can not possibly prove, and what is
most improbable. But II, notwithstand-
ing the improbability, such was cen
fessedly the result, 1t would be time
enough when the fact appeared to pro
test, and to withdraw from the conven-
tiOn. Certainly government by party
can not be carried on IL the will of the
majority of the party may not determine
its general policy and its Presidential
candidates.
No man, indeed, Is bound to be mere
partisan, nor to surrender his independ-
ence his principles, OF his views of
just and wise national policy. But every
man must decide in politics when he
values certain measures more than the
dominance of party which Is not, in
deed, hostile to those measures, but
which estimates their vital importance
differently. In other words, he must de-
eide when he thinks the time has come
for the dissolution or defeat of the party.
For If the friends of the Cincinnati Con
vention CHIN that they only mean to sug-
gest, not to threaten, they must also say
whether they mean to acquiesce should
their suggestions not be adopted. II the
intention is to propose terms upon which
they will support the Philadelphia nomi-
nations, what are they but a minority
aiming to control a majority by the threat
of defectic29 They are unquestionably
rs sincere as others, and their attitude
shows plainly that they are disposed to
think the adoption of their views more
important than the continued ascendency
of the party.
But can they sincerely expect that any
of the evils which their resolutions at
Jefferson City denounce will be more
surely remedied by the Democratic party,
or by any party in which the Democratic
element is overpowering? For what could
a Cincinnati candidate be but q figure
head3 If, as the Chicago Times declares,
nine-tenths of the Democrats in the coun-
try expect to vote for Republican candi-
date for President, would that candidate,
If elected, expect that the Democrats who
had supported him would renouace their
political opinions and traditions? Would
they be any the less Democrats? Is the
Chicago Times a newspaper which such a
candidate could regard as an expositor of
his opinions and purposes? The Liberal
Republicans, we are told, carried Mis-
souri,. But their victory placed the author
of the Brodhead letter in the Senate of
the United States. In the same way they
might carry the country, but it would
give the government to the Democrats.
Do the minority of the Republican party
and if they are not the minority, why
do they not mold the Philadelphia Con-
49, al. - Al Al,
jority shall accept their terms or submit
to the return of the Democrats to power?
And if so, are these the gentlemen who
tell us that they are not permitted to hold
and express their opinions and prefer
ences?
If, indeed, they think that the time has
come for reconstruction of parties, and
that it is better the candidate of the Phil.
adelphia Convention should be defeated if
he be not their preference, or if he be the
one Republican to whom they are oppos-
ed, those of us who think otherwise, and
who feel that the defeat of the Philadel-
phia candidate will be the defeat of the
hope OF Republican administration, can
only appeal to the candor and intelligence
of the country. The American people
know the history of the last twelve years.
Through all the fury of partisan rhetoric,
both Republican and Democratic, they
Sw ana wSnt mhas at it Is necessary to maintain,
can defeat must be upon the net;nDal
welfare. N''oiA
Let them read the resolutions callino
the Cincinnati Convention, and ask them
serves whether the Democratic party,
whether passive or active"-whetheI
voting for a candidate who has ALWAYS
been Democrat, or for one who is called
hepubllcan-wil more honorably anC
conscientiously maintain 1.-The rightfu
sovoreignty of the Union, emancipation
equality of civil rights, or enfranchise
ment " than the Republican party. Will
the Democratic party more genuinely re-
form the tariff. or the civil service, OF
abuse patronage less, than the Repub-
lican party Will the Democratic party
guard the rights of all citizens more Sc
curely," or limit Executive power more
surely, or coerce or bribe less, or seat
fewer illegal members of Congress, or re
sort less to unconstitutional legislation
than the Republican party? Would 6
victory of the Democratic party be Gar
uprising of honest citizens to sweep
from power men who prostitute the
name of an honored party to selfish inter
ests ?"
The project of new party and a new
policy in the present political situation il
idle. Should the mass of the Democrat:
unite with the Republicans who con
ditionally threaten to repudiate the actor
of the regular party convention at Phila
delphia, some of the remaining Democrat
would refuse to vote, some would supper
a straight" Democrat, and some woulC
vote for General Grant. But practical,
the alternative in the election of 1872 is
Republican or Democratic success. Tn
result will be Republican Administrator
founded upon Republican majority witt
all its chances, or an Administrator
founded upon a coalition of which tn
Democrats would be the handspring. =
Harper's Weekly