Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-01
arHEsHADOw OF COMING EVENTS,


Under this head, the New York Tribune
of the 29th ult. publishes a most significant
article on the prospects of the Radical party
In the coming Presidential election. 1t
opens with reference to the victory Of the
Liberals" in Missouri in the summer of
1870, when B. Gratz Brown was elected
Governor over Gov. McClurg Gan ultra Rad
ical who favored continuance of the dis
franchising laws them in force in that State)
by majority of Al ,917, and adds:
"At this election, several amendments to
the proscriptive Constitution of 1866 were
voted on, with the following result:
Nay Rebels rOte 2-Yes, 117,518; No,
1886.
May they hold office 2-Yes, 1l2, ,795; No,
1921.
Complete Amnesty carried by more than
six to one.
''Four Democrats, two Liberals Zone of
them Democrat in all but name), and
three Republicans, were chosen to Con-
gress, with Legislature whereby Frank
Blair was sent to the United States Senate"
Mr.. Greeley, for be is evidently the wri-
ter of the article, then refers to the result of
Grants interference in the Missouri cleo
ton. While the canvass was proceeding,
1t will be remembered, the President re-
moved certain Federal officers who favored
the "Liberal" movement, and appointed
"Regulars" in their stead. The result was,
to render the defeat of the "Regulars" all
the more decisive. Mr.. Greeley proceeds to
disclaim having any connection with the
"Bolters," but carefully explains that his
only objection to them is their advocacy of
free trade. He continues:
"But the Tri6une's good wishes did not,
any more than Gen. Grants prescription of
Liberals, save the Missouri Regulars from
overwhelming defeat in 1870; and the por-
tents of coming disaster are such tina: it
would be treason to ignore them. While
lifelong adverSaries appear to be acting, or
preparing to act, with wisdom and polite
iberality, those who have the running Of
the regular Republican machine seem to US
bent on blindly, Inadly rushing on disaster.
ToI instance but two points they are blum
dering sadly in their higgling, grudging,
mean-souled dealing with the subject Of
amnesty, and in their attempts to brand
every one as anti-RepubliCan who does not |
favor the denomination of Gen. Grant.
"Let uS consider first the subject of Am |
nesty:
"The House at its former session, passed |
a measure Of comprehensive though not /
universal Amnesty, by a very decisive vote. |
That measure has now been two months |
before the Senate. EX-GOv. Vance was last
year chosen a Senator from North Carolina. |
Having been member of Congress before /
1861, and since a rebel General and Gov
ernor, he is ineligible; but the Amnesty
bill, as it passed the House, would allow
him to take the seat to which he was un-
questionably elected. But Joseph G.
Abbott, his Republican predecessor,
wants that seat; and the fact that
he was badly beaten by Vance in
the late election does not seem
TO him Of any consequence. So, at Abbott's
suggestion, an amendment is made TO the
House bill by the Senate, which excludes
Gov. Vance from the seat and cOnstrains
him to resign Mr.. Abbott evidently Calcu-
lating that this is one point made toward
bis own admission to the coveted post, OF
course, the Senate can put in Abbott Or the
Grand Duke Alexis, if it will; but North
Carolina has chosen neither of them, as the
whole world must know. And the amend
ment of the House bill expressly
to exclude him whom she has
elected, is one of the wrongs which
q dominant party can perpetgate, but
by which it surely treasures up wrath
against the day of wrath, which it hastens
and intensifes. If you doubt it, read once |
more the vote above by which Missouri ex-
plunged prescription from her Constitution.
So with the contested seat from Texas. If
votes have any meaning, D. {. Giddings is
the member elect to the seat which VIM. T.
Clark holds, and evidently means to hold to
the end, by virtue, not of majority in his
district, but of Republican majority in the
House. OF course, that majority can crafty
him; but it will cost the Republican cause
more than any dozen carpet-baggers' necks
are worth"
Mr. Greeley makes this significant admi5-
sion:
"Now, with regard to the Presidency, we
say only that, if the issue is to be so made
up that only those who prefer Gen. Grant
10 ali other men are TO count on the Repub-
lican side, everybody else on the other we
shall mOrtally hate to sit up for the returns
the night after election. We appeal to all
who are familiar with the currents Of Opin-
ion outside Of official circles to sustain our
position. Gen. Grant may be stronger than
any other Republican; he doubtless has
more supporters to-day than any other; yet
20 iudicious friend would wish him pitted
against all who would prefer some one else
10 him. Yet those who engineer his can
vass seem determined to make up exactly
hat issue"
Mr.. Greeley declares that "a new leaf
must be turned over, or there are breakers
ahead" and concludes as follows:
"The proposed Cincinnati Convention |
may prove a tiasco or it may name the next I:
President. If you desire the latter, you ]
may well pray that Roscoe COnkling & Co.
shall have the running Of the Grant ma
chine for few months longer"
Greeley is evidently frightened. He
.learly sees that Grant and his friends are
,illlng the Radical party as effectually and
apidly as political party could well be
filled.