Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-19
MR.. SUMMERS POSITION.

NIX. SUMMERS POSITION
1t is announced that Mr. Sumner has de-
termined to become member Of the Gin
matt convention, and accept the position
of President of that body, The report is
made in such a manner that there is no
doubt of its correctness. And if it be true
it follows of course that Mr.. Sumner has
severed his connection with the republican
party. The Cincinnati convention viii be
antagonistic to the republican party. No
man can follow both any more than he can
serve two masters. IfMr. Sumner cleaves
to Cincinnati his back must be turned
upon Philadelphia.
How far Mr.. Summers peculiar views of
independence of party organization may
warrant this step in his own mind we are
unable 10 say. 1t is well known that he
holds to an independence of action which
has often embarrassed his colleagues, and
grieved and vexed his constituents. Nay,
if other men were as tenacious of their i'll
diyidual opinions as he, and acted as stub
bornly against the majority rather than
concede that the many might be the wiser,
all party action would be impossible and
the best of party principles would be for
ever defeated. If the other republicans in
Congress had been like Mr. Sumner, it is
doubtful ii the otherthrow of slavery, with
which his name stands SO honorably con-
nected. could have been accomplished, OF
the government saved. Holding to these
extreme notions of independence, it may
be that Mr. Sumner believes he can take o
part inthe Cincinnati convention as promi-
nent as, thatof President, and yet maintain
his standing in the republican party. The
idea to others seems absurd. To him il
may be The acme ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
But beside the fact that he has conclud-
ed to take prominent part in the Cincin-
natl convention, is the fact that he has de-
clared he would not support President
Grant il he We're nominated again, as well
as the. hostile course which he has been
pursuing in relation to the administration.
No man Of ordinary intelligence doubts
that Grant will be renominated. Perhaps
some of the movers in the Cincinnati con-
vention entered into that project more for
the purpose of defeating Grants nomina.
ton than for any other purpose, but the
scheme helps as much as it damages
Grants chance at Philadelphia. As 6
plan to forestal the action of the regular
organization, it is an outrage and threa
which reacts in favor of Grant. Tn
threat by Mr.. Summer or any cliqu
of Senators or leading men in the republ
can party that If they cannot name cand
dates Of the republican party they will OF
pose the choice of the party, is so unre,
sonable, so arbitrary, SO suggestive of til
crack of the slave drivers whip, that
forces the republican party together as
unit to resist in the most emphatic manne
the afront put upon them by self-constitu
ed dictators. 1t is evident therefore tn;
Grant viii be nominated, and none tn
less because of the menace ATTEMPTED
And according to Mr. Summers dc
claration that he will not support Grant
nominated, we may conclude from this,
not from his joining the Cincinnati conven
ton, that the Senator from Massachusetts
will turn his back upon the candidate G
the republican party in the Presidents
elaction and on tho wav nf ,n,pv o4ho
disappointed politicians before him. TIL
republican party is not without experienc
in dealing with disaffected leaders, me
who stood as high in its confidence as Nj
Sumner ever did. No one disputes no,
that its dealings with Seward and Chas
were just. They dug their graves wit
their own hands. Mr.. Sumner is dom
likewise e--aaass... ,--s.--p..---.