Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-27
Democratic Convention.

Trenton, n. j., 26. At the democratic
convention held in this city to day, Governor
Randolph, Chairman of the convention. spoke
as follows:
AT this time when our democratic breth-
rem in other States seem to have become
touched with the fever Of political revolu-
ton. m action ordinarily discreet, temperate
and dispassionate will be looked for with
more than ordinary interest. In proportion
as other States have given hasty utterances
of opinion and preference to all, we should
give sober and thoughtful u;terances. The
Baltimore convention will be composed of
men who have higher motives than merely
"to beat Grant" These motives will be to
beat corrupt and desp,tic administration and
a Chief Magistrate, who has brought his
worst military habits Of thought and action to
the administration Of civil affairs. With
Grantism beaten we know no worse, and be-
lieve better can DC had. That we shall OBJ
tain at Baltimore all we deem desirable does
not now seem probable; unless some unex-
pected reason occurs, the action Of the con-
vention is Il foregone conclusion. To main
tain our supremacy in New Jersey we shall
require an almost united democratic vote, for
with all due respect to the liberal republicans
of New Jersey that have indicated their pur-
pose to support the Cincinnati convention,
they are not so large a crowd as to be safe to
anchor our hopes upon. 1t is better, there
fore to forego any expression here of opinions
as to the candidates at Baltimore endorsed
| at Baltimore. l deem Greeley's election as
sured; defeated, there lies chances unworthy
of attention. His liberal republican strength
as thus far developed is like scattering of
Jersey mart in our corn hills. 1t is very
encouraging to the slender stalk in June. 1t
may help to keep moist the rapidly growing
fibres in hot July and August; but the stalk
that withstands the trying September and
October days and nights, that brings forth the
well filed and ripened ears for November har-
vest, must rest its boles upon the enduring
strength and fertility of our broad democrat
ic acres. 1t is well known that my iudg-
ment has been against the endorsement of the
Cincinnati ticket, which seems to me as dem
ocratic, political nominally which will not
now stop to discuss.
| The Governor proceeded TO state the pur-
| pose of the recent Fifth Avenue conference
which was to ascertain whether it was prac-
| ticable to unite all the elements of opposition
| to Grant, as Greeleys nomination had not
accomplished that desiderum. He claimed
that this conference was not iasco but a
success, because it concentrated reliable in.
| formation as to the weakness or strength OF
| the Cincinnati ticket in nearly every State
| and thus gave basis for decision that nc
new ticket could now be named with political
| advantage.
| He minated that in July the practical
democrats of New Jersey would probably
have an opportunity to accept the inevitable
| in the nomination OF Greeley. After present
| ing further details of the action of the Fifth
Avenue conference and It's reasons for max
| ing no nomination, the governor said
still think a more suitable nomination and
more acceptable candidate to the great body
of democratic voters, could have been found.
| We shall be charged with placing our life
long opponent at the head of our column in
he day of almost assured victory. All this
is true but it is equally true that Greeley will
only take the leadership of the party that
elects him after he has pronounced himself in
favor of such old fashioned democratic prin-
cple as hostility to Capitalization, opposition
| to federal interference in State and local
affairs, condemnation of the suspension OF
the writ of habaas corpus, full support OF
amnesty, rigid adherence TO civil service re-
form, opposition to bayonet election laws and
the like. Now, if Mr.. Greeley can accom-
modate himselfto such uncompromising dem.
ocratc views as these, we can accept his
c inversion even if it be a trfe sudd anC
unexpected. SO was st. Paul's you know
Yet no one questioned the sincerity of St
Pauls conversion; no one Mad occasion tt
doubt it ever.
| In conclusion, the governor said that the,
had to contemplate as almost certain the en-
dorsement of Greeley at Baltimore, and with
it the assumed defeat of Greeley-a grea
victory of itself, because if Greeley had nc
lofter view and no greater intelligence thar
Grant, he would be powerless where Grant;
power is almost without limit. Greeley
would he the occupant of high Office but hi,
power to abuse it would be jealousy guarded
by both friends and foes. His might be the
place, but the power, with Grant defeated
will be delegated to the people and their rep
sentatiyes.
The convention then proceeded to nomi
nate delegates at large to the Baltimore Con
ventoD with the following result: Theo +
Randolph, Jno. p. Stockton, Leon Abbot anc
Charles Haight. District delegates were also
chosen.
The following resolutions we've adopted
Whereas, Durin the greater portion o
the time since the organization of the States
of the Union the democratic party has al
ministered affairs and declared the policy o
the national government and under its al