The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-09-05
THE LOUISVILLE CONVENTION,
CONDENSED Associated Press Report.

CONDENSED Associated Press Report I
The National Convention of ''Straight-out''
Democrats met in Louisville on the Sd. and
after prayer by Rev. DIR. Platt, was called to
order by Colonel Blanton Duncan, who de-
ivered short speech, in which he alluded
to the objects of the assemblage, declaring
the action of the Baltimore Convention to
have been invalid and void, and of no bind
ing effect upon individual members of the
party, and that it had already been repu-
dated by hundreds of thousands The eyes
of the whole country were upon this Iouis-
vllle) Convention, and many anxious hopes
were to be verified or blasted, according as
wisdom or its negative should be the con-
trolling spirit of its deliberations. He closed
by asserting that the spring of his action had
been the intent to do right, and to aid in the
preservation of the party and the
perpetuation of its principles as the sole
hope for the future of the country.
Three cheers were given at the close of
Colonel Duncan's remarks, when Colonel
Lewis. Chatfeld, of New York, was appointed
Temporary Chairman, and he accepted in
short speech, avowing himself a lifelong
Democrat and indicating and lauding the
action of those who had protested against the
action of the Baltimore Convention and had
called together this large assemblage. He an
nounced the Convention ready to proceed
with the business that had brought its mem
bers together.
Judge Spaulding announced that he had a
sealed letter from Charles O'Conor, which he
wished to place in possession Of the Conven-
ton.
A motion was made and carried that the
communication be read.
Mr.. O'Conor's letter, which is quite a
lengthy one, was then read. He alludes to
the enormous growth of official malversa-
ton in New York City, and State, which was
brought to light during the late war and
invited good men to action, and the dis
coveries of which afforded an opportunity
of stirring the general mind to persistent
effort for reform. The opportunity was i'm
proved, and, except for the disturbance by
the oPportune recurrence of a Presidential
canvass, the current of popular sentiment
has ever since moved steadily in the right
direction. Governmental intermeddling with
those concerns of society which, under jul
dicious laws, might benefieially be left to in
dividual action, is only the real evil actually
developed in our system. This eminence is
assigned to it, because it is the fruitful pa
rent of all others existing, and because the
measures required to correct it are precisely
those which would extirpate the unrestrain-
able power now SO mischievously exercised
by our officials. OF this practice, above all
other leading Americans, Mr.. Greeley is the
of the organized opponents to it that has
ever existed in the country, except
the Democratic party. Yet by a decree
of a convention assuming to represent that
party, Mr.. Greeley has been gazetted its
Standard bearer. Opposition to that pro-
ceeding has, in the mind of the writer, a far
deeper source than mere attachment to
party. His views of the public interest, and
of existing public necessities compelled him
to repudiate the Baltimore nomination of
Greeley. Whenever speaking or writing on
the subject he had uniformly condemned it,
declaring his readiness to support Demo-
cratic candidate. If compelled to decide be-
tween General Grant and Mr.. Greeley as
candidate for the Presidency, the Democratic
elector must rely very much upon mere con-
lecture. Those who incline to the latter as
a choice of evils suggest that a mitiga-
ton of the oppression at the South
would result from his success. There may,
however, be equal ground to hope for that
good result in either issue of this rivalry.
Once his second term shall have been secur
ed, General Grants only motive for infict-
ing misery on that portion of his country
men will cease. An effort to secure a third
term or to establish a dictatorship cannot
reasonably be apprehended, and consequent
ly a comparison of probabilities offers us
merely blank olympiad on one hand or four
years of undefinable activity On the other.
The success of General Grant might involve
no important consequences, but that of Mr..
Greeley would consecrate practices which,
in the writer's opinion, are absolutely incom-
patible with the permanency of Republican
institutions.
After dwelling at some length upon the
existing evils and abuses in our Govern
mental affairs, Mr.. O'Conor says his deep
aversion to all these things had induced him
to encourage the movement represented by
the Louisville Convention. In the probable
event of his name being presented to the
Convention as a nominee for President of
the United States, he begged leave respect
fully to withdraw. He concludes by saying:
Glove of that absolute independence which
cannot now be maintained in public office,
desire to promote your success instead OF
impeding it, and a belief that L can thus
best perform the individual cdsus quota of
public service, have created in my mind an
unalterable resolve to remain in private sta
tion.''
The reading of the letter met with occa-
sional bursts of hearty approval.
Committees on Credentials and on Perma-
nent Organization were appointed. The lat
ter Committee reported the name of Judge
James Lyons, of Virginia, as permanent
President, with list of Vice-Presidents and
Secretaries. The report was adopted, and
Mr. Lyons was conducted to the chair and
delivered an address returning thanks for
the honor conferred upon him, and abiding
to the objects of the Convention and the
duties before them.
On motion, Colonel Duncan was elected an
honorary member and made the first Vice
President of the Convention.
A Committee on Resolutions, consisting of
one from each State, was appointed, TO re-
port at nine a. m. on the 4th.
A motion was adopted to refer the letter
of Charles O'Conor to the Committee on
Resolutions.
Much excitement was created by motion
to include in the Committee on Resolutions
the name of Mr.. Browning, of New York,
who represented the Labor interest in the
Convention, being connected with the ma
sons and plastererS, and during the coniu-
sion which ensued the motion was with
drawn and the Convention adjourned.
SECOND DAY.
The Convention was called to order little
after ten a., IN.