Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-05-31


person as Il candidate his own views as
to the correctness of a particular principle
or policy, and he has an undoubted
right to express and urge them; but no
man can claim to be good Oemocrat,
true member of the Democratic party who
is unwilling to yield his own views and
preferences to those of majority OF the
party in other words, who is unwilling 10
abide by the decision of the Convention
But if this be so, more than this follows.
1t follows that individuals who claim TO De
party men have no right to advocate OF 10
oppose any given course suggested 1or Inc
adoption of the party, in such manner as
to preclude or to estop them from support
inc the decision of the Baltimore Conven-
ventiou in case it shall be adverse to their
wishes. If that Convention shall endorse
the nomination of Mr.. GREELEY, the New
York World and Mr.. VOORHEES, will find
their efficiency very much impaired when
thew enter the field as advocates OF his
election. If, on the other hand, some other
candidate shall be put forward by that
Convention, those individuals and those
papers that have given unqualified and un-
conditional support to Mr.. GREELEY, will
find themselves much cramped when they
seek to make a vigorous, effective light
against him. As party men individuals
have 10 right thus to impair their useful
ness. Suppose a man should claim to be
L oIry To lOn fn-R o.
ton of General GRANT, would he not be
at once denounced? And yet if there be
any right for Democrat as party man,
independent and i'll defiance of the Balti-
more Convention to support Mr.. GREE
LEY, there is surely an equal right thus to
support General GRANT! 1t IS our pur-
pose, then, while exercising our right OF dis
cussion and preference, so to exercise 1t as
to leave ne the largest liberty to sustain
the decision OF the Baltimore Convention.
A contrary course by which individuals,
States or sections would seek to fOrestal
the Convention, restrain its freedom OF &C
ton and coerce committal, must provoke
| discOrd, ALLEVIATE good feeling and carry of
a vote sufficiently large to make the re-
election Of GRANT inevitable.
We look forward with confidence to the
action of the Convention at Baltimore. We
have confidence that the men who will
compose that Convention will be repreSen-
tatve men of the party throughout the
country. We have confidence that the
best talent and The purest patriotism in all
the land will be there, and that our dele
gates, after full, free consultation with each
, other, will adopt that course which, with all
the lights before them, shall seem best suit
ed to meet the eXigencies of the times.
II it shall be thought best to support Mr..
GREELEY, VIC shall DO so to the best of our
ability. It VIII undoubtedly require some
sacrifice OF feeling for Democrat to sup
portL,s Lifelong adversary. Mr.. GREELEY
has a bad record, bad IN the far past and
bad in the near past. Indeed, it is posi-
ble that it IS the knowledge Of this very
fact that gives him his strength at the
North But it is not with the past that we
I of the South have now to deal. We can
afford to forget, if not to forgive, the mere
/ records Of men who, having the power, man
ifeSt a willingness to aid us in our great
struggle for our lives, our liberties and oul
property. But suppose when the COnven,
ton meets it has been plainly demonstra.
ted that Mr.. GREELEY has no such power
no such strength AZ the North as is now
, claimed for him or suppose the delegates
/ from Northern Democratic States declare
with unaninity that the party there will
not support Mr.. GREELEY, and that
/ his endorsement at Baltimore will ensure
the loss Of those States? WhaL them Or
suppose the whole Northern wing OF the
party is opposed to Mr.. GREELEY? What
then? 1t must be remembered that North
ern Democrats have not been ground int
the dust by tie iron heel of GRANTS Despot-
ism and DO not therefore feel so keenly as do
/ Southern Democrats the exigency of the
occasion. We cannot condemn Northern
Democrats for having some regard to their
own section when we admit that our own
first and last thought is for the South. Is
the South TO say that she will have
GREELEY or 10 one; that she will have
GREELEY or bolt? Ifthis be our determi-
nation it is idle to go to Baltimore. And
yet the South will be entitled to a great, if
not controlling, influence in the Conven-
ton. Her large electoral vote must COM
mand for her wishes, her wants and her
suggestions the respectful consideration so
eminCntly their due. Northern Democrats
do NOT purpose, nor do we purpose, that
Southern Democrats shall be hewers of
wood or drawers of water in our national
organization. We are free to admit that
with tie lights now before us we are of
opinion, as we believe the party in the
South generally is OF opinion, that it will be
the better policy for us to name no candi-
date against Mr.. GREELEY. II, however,
after 4 careful survey of the field, common
sense and prudence Justify an attitude of
armed opposition and independent HOSTILE
ty, and If it shall be thought best to nominate
a s." straight ont Democrat" we shall sup
port him with unfeigned pleasure. But the
proper policy for the Democratic party to
pursue is not so plain that it may at once Rnd
without hesitation be confidently pointed
out. There are many things to be
considered. Fortunately there is ample
time in which to do it. Many facts neces-
sary to be known cannot be known until
the Convention meets.
Another reason induces us not to occupy
too much time and space with matters