Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-01
POLITICAL probabilities.


The struggle. therefore, concentrates
in the nomination. Its complexion is un-
mistakably marked in the action of State
conventions already held, if the clear will
of the people, less directly uttered, had
not settled the point. New York, New
Hampshire, Connecticut, Kansas, South
Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, and Georgia
have held their Republican Conventions.
We find New Hampshire saying, "Presi-
dent Grant has fully justified the conf
dence reposed in his integrity and ability
as statesman, by the Republican party,
and we confidently propose him as the Re-
publican standard-bearer in 1872" The
Georgia Republicans said: 1--WE instruct
our delegation to urge his denomination
upon the convention" Those of South
Carolina and Kansas instructed their del
egates to the National Convention to vote
for Grant. Those of Missouri and Indi-
ana have emphatically Endorsed his Ad-
ministration, without instructing their del
egates. Thus, eight Republican State
Conventions have unanimously approved
the Administration, and four have voted
for Grants denomination. This is unpar-
alleled, save in the high case of Lincoln.
There has been opposition to this con-
clusion. The most pronounced instances
are probably those Of General Schurz and
Mr.. Greeley, neither of whom has made
any secret of other preference. But the
defeat of the former on the issue he made
has been so signal that the effort cannot
be repeated in that form at least, if at all {;
and the latter, without surrendering his
private judgment in favor of one term
tenure, seems to be satisfied that it is
doubtful whether sufficient support can be
acquired to vitalize it. Nor, whatever
force there may be in the argument, do
we hear now among Republicans the crit
icism Of military Executive that was
quite recently common. The argument
that a second-class politician is naturally
more competent to govern, more impair
tial or more patriotic than man distin-
guished by military conduct and further,
by the signal success of administration
following war, is apparently RENTED to
Democratic advocacy; where we expect
still to hear that Vallandigham is more
sagacious than Grant. ard Mr.. Cox or Mr..
VOORHEES, more national than those whose
efforts have seconded those of Grant.
Neither is it to be imagined that Labor
Conventions will fail to propose such dis
tinguished statesmen as David II. Davis,
and General Thomas Davis, or temper
ance gatherings to compliment Mr.. James
Black. These expressions of local and
limited, sectarian or philanthropic feeling
have always been made and will continue
to be. But they hardly extend beyond
the halls in which they are formulated,
and have about as much weight upon
national contest as breath against a
monsoon.
1t is not necessary to refer to Democrat
| ic preferences. There are from two to
ten for every State, and the severity of
the conflict is proportional to the weak
ness of the cause. The only possibility
that the Democratic vote will tell on the
election lies in the possibility of two Re-
publican tickets. But this, judging the
influences underlying and sustaining the
party, and considering the formal utter
ance already made, and the great consent
Of individual opinion to the same end,
is in very high degree improbable.
Should the experiment. nevertheless, be
made. the evidence that its success de-
ponds on the support of the Democrats,
of teformers of every stripe, and the par
ings from the national party, is alone suffi-
cient to withdraw that Republican support
that is necessary to render it efficient.
If this survey is correct, it follows that
the duty of the coming Republican Con-
vention will be merely to form and ex-
press popular desire already manifested.
And this we take to be the case. There
was in the earlier portion of the Admins
tration latent opinion that while the sue
cessful General in so great war deserved
the highest honors, and while his Admin
istration would pledge the nation to put
down any effort at renewed disorders, he
could not hope to do more than hold the
good in place, to be delivered for i'm
provement on some more suspicious time.
All that was expected has been realized.
And so much more has come to hand, that
new debt and fresh claim are sprung
from the employment of the reward. Ev-
cry day furnishes proof that this is the
popular decision. BY the time when the
convention assemblies there will hardly be
any who are not convinced of the fact,
and very unanimous nomination will
prepare more decisive victory than the
last"
The St. Adams (Vt.) Messenger closes a
severe review of Mr.. Greely's covert attacks
on President Grants Administration with the
following pertinent and just observations: