Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-08-21
The Coalition

AhC COdDtIOh-
The State Committee of the Liberal Repub-
licans of Massachusetts, have adopted the
following resolutions
WHEREAS, The Democratic party have
adopted unanimously the platform and nom
mated the candidates for the presidency and
vice presidency of the Liberal Republican
party and
WHEREAS, These parties should unite on
all matters necessary to secure a common
triumph; therefore,
ResOlUed, That the Liberal Republicans in
the various States are hereby recommended to
hold their State and congressional cOnVcn-
tiOns when possible to do so, at the same
time and place with the Democracy, in order
that conference may unite the two parties in
one electoral, state and congressional ticket.
We print these resolutions as an introduc-
ton to some comments upon the Greeley
movement.
g A common triumph - is what the Lib
eral Committee of Massachusetts, are seeking
That means a triumph of the Democratic
party and the Liberal party united
organization. What would such a triumph
signify?
In the first place, it is impossible that it
would bring into power Democrats any more
honest or any more devoted to the public
welfare than the average of Democrats. If
Democrats out of Office are more honest than
Democrats in Office, 1t is simply because their
opportunities for speculation are less. They
are not a higher type of man ; not more
distinguished for righteousness either in
principle or practice Democrats when in
office are as corrupt as the officials of any
party New York has given the country
examples of what the Democratic party can
accomplish IN the way of corruption when
1t has opportunity. 1t has not made
discerning men in love with that type of
official integrity; and the offensive odor of
Tammany is yet quite too fresh in the nos
trils Of the public to allow any faith in
reform from that quarter. HONESTY and
reform have not thus far been the distin-
gushing virtues of the Democratic party,
and it doesn't now profess to be any better
IN that respect than it has been. 1t has
always protested to be honest. 1t does no |
more now.
That some of the Republicans who are
joining the liberal movement are wholly /
DESTROYS of reform is undoubtedly true That /
they arc more in favor of honest government
than an equal number of Republicans who
remain in the party organization is not true.
Banks, in Massachusetts, Is no more in favor
of the highest and best type of government,
than Dawes or Hosr. Nor is Mr. Sumner
more honest in his politics than Mr.. W ilson.
These names will serve as illustrations
Those who have left the Repu blican party
have not proved themselves in the past safer
counselors, wiser men, or more honest in
public and private stations than those who /
have not changed.
Besides, as is apparent to every intelligent |
observer, those who really, and in the name |
of reform, inauguratod the liberal movement, |
were out-voted and thoroughly beaten at /
Cincinnati. They wanted Senator Trumbull |
or Mr.. Adams a candidate for president, |
but the politicians of the Fenton and Blair
stripe had majority of the convention and
forced the nomination of Mr.. Greeley. This |
was so distasteful to such men as Mr.. Bowles
of the Springfield Republican, Senator Schurz
and others, that they did not conceal their
disappointment, and they came reluctantly
TO the support OF the nomination; it was so
distasteful to other prominent Republicans,
who up to that time had gone with the So
called reformers, that they have since refused |
to support the ticket, and-like the n. Y.
EUening Post and NatiOn-are now support |
ing Grant and Wilson. Does this look as
though reform had thus far achieved much |
of a triumph in this liberal organization ?
Then what good can come of this " COM
mon triumph ?" Nothing except what might |
be expected from a straight Democratic vic |
tory. The Republicans whom such a triumph |
would bring into Office would be SO few as to
be impotent. They would be swamped, or
driven back into the regular Republican |
organization by the overwhelming influence |
of their Democratic associates. This would |
be Just Mr.. Greeley's position if he should |
be chosen president. With a Democratic
House of Representatives he would be pow
erIess to accomplish even the good he processes
TO desire The I" common triumph - would |
defeat the only men and the only party in |
the country that would bring in reform if in
power. Sumner, Schurz, TrumbuIl would |
find that their hope of reform was an empty
hope; that Democrats, as reformers, were
more of a cheat and delusion than even
the Chambers and Camerons.
This is what the coalition really promises;
Lot what it processes, but what it promises.
This is what would come Of the Z" common
triumph What Republican can see in
such :" triumph . any hope of better
administration Of public affairs?