Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-05-17
Forewarned -Forearmed.


Forewarned -Forearmed
II those who advocate the nomination OF n
straight Democratic ticket for the Presidency
by the National Convention which is to meet
in Baltimore on the 9th Of July, would take
counsel from the experience OF the past, they
would pause long before pressing their ex IRENE
views. II they would refer TO the history Of
the Charleston Convention, the split in which
resulted in placing two Democratic tickets in
the field in 1860, they might learn lesson of
wisdom. But if, like the old Bonrbons, they
"learn nothing and forget nothing" we may
expect TO sec that tragedy re-enscted--a TRACE
dy, the consequences Of which will leave their
impress upon the history OF the country and
the history Of parties for all coming time With
the defeat OF Bell and Everett the wing party
became extinct. With the defeat Of Douglas
and Breckenridge, or rather by the nomination
Of both, the democratic party was rent in
twain, and the contest eliminated in the cleo
ton of Abraham Lincoln, which never could
have taken place had they entered the combat
under one gallant leader. But evil counsels
prevailed and the result is written in the ca
lamities which befel the country. The demo-
cratic party was stronger then than it is now.
A state of things not entirely dissimilar ex-
lists at the present time. The Radical party
which has ruled the country since 1860 is now
rent asunder, and many of its once prominent
leaders, who have seen the enormities which
have been committed, and that the Govern
ment under its rulers fast converging to CEN
tralized despotism, has called "halt,'' and to
check the corruption and bring the Govern
ment back, and place it under its constitu-
tional restrictions is the object of those who
made the nominations at Cincinnati. What is
to be the result Of the contest time must deter
mine.
We have no disposition 10 open afresh the
wounds which time has barely healed-but
the truth must be told-the mistakes of former
years can never be corrected-thev teach a
lesson fraught with wisdom, and from which
the politicians of the present day may learn to
avoid the rocks upon which others split. All
the old issues are dead, and the apple Of dis
cord that was thrown into the Charleston
Convention has yielded its bitter fruit-the
past must be orgotten-benceforwar there is
nothing TO do but the work of Cancellation
and the democracy yielding to the inexorable
logic of events, go forward That party which
had been victorious in many hard fought
contest with foemen worthy of their steel.
came out Of the combat in 1860 with their ban
ner trailing in the dust There was a heavy
vote thrown for both Douglas and Brcckin-
ridge-we have not the fgures-but is there
any evidence TO prove that the party is stronger
now than it was then. We trow not. Time
and again has il been heraded throughout
the land that the democracy is unequal to n
they not, in the onset, be met with this adj
mission, in the event Of nomination. Weknow
that the clans Of MacAlpine never rallied more
readily to the call of their chief, than would the
democrats respond TO the call of their leaders
IT they were assured Of success; but oe what
avail, if called to engage in a hopeless contest,
with the word gone out TO the ends of the
world, that the forces were whipped before
the battle began.
We yield to none in devotion 10 democratic
principle, or in the support of democratic men
and measnres-but when the events of n war
has wrought such change in the country
destroying all the old issuss and presenting
new-we fail to see the policy of refusing aid
from those who are willing to help us, or Of
aiding those that we can help, if by so doing
a great good can be accomplished What
though we may have been antagonistic in the
past, and dealt each other hard blows, is the
door of Cancellation TO be forever closed, be-
cause of slight difference upon non-essentials,
so far n; least, MS the cardinal principles of de-
are concerned The door has been
thrown open and all the opponents of this cor
rupt and wicked administration invited to en-
ter-bya an union of the opposition there is hope
for success, and the course 10 be pursued de-
mands calm consideration. There is evident
alarm in the Radical camp, and the rumors set
shoat that Grant might be Withdrawn and
Greeley nominated by the Radicals is all gam
mona decoy, to lure the unwary, and pre-
vent, if possible, detection from Grant, or
addition to the strength of Greeley. That is
the ruse. The nomination of Grant is as GER
tain as il already made. And although Mr..
Greeley is not our choice, yet as between him
and Grant, the former is infinitely preferable !
That he will meet with opposition from those
who hold extreme views is to be expected. but |
should not control in this natter
their counsel should not be needed, neither |
should any be sent TO the National Conven-
lion. We have had enough of Hotspurs. Now |
ct the National Convention be composed of
men who possess common sense-men who |
ire willing 10 forget the past-and who have
he manliness TO meet the issues and look them
quarely. in the face and act with decision
hen will they come up TO the requirements OF
be times and put the country once more upon
career of prosperity
BASIS OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC Con-
ESTioN.--The basis of representation, as fixed
y the last Democratic Contention, is double
be number of Senators and Representatives in
congress from each State under the appcrtion-
lent census of 1870. Each State will send
eiegates accordingly, and the cordial co-ope-
alton of all conservative citizens who desire
he restoration of constitutional government,
ND the perpetuation ofrepublican institutions,
s invited.