New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-23
Gevernor Palmer.

From the New York TribuneJ
The letter OF Governor Palmer, of Illinois
which we publish to-day, is one of the mos,
important incidents which KAYE thus fan
slgnallzed the course OF the Liberal move
ment. The situation of parties in that GREAT
Republican State lends especial Significance
to this act. IN most OF the States the Lib
erals recognize the impossibility of contend
ing with the ready-Dade majority of office
holders to be found in the so called rer,,lar
conventions. In nearly all the Eastern
States the men who make a trade of politics
have sufficient control of the machinery of
primary elections to pack tie State conven-
tions beyond the hope OF successful protest.
But the denomination faction in Illinois
possesses no such decided preponderance of
force. 1t IS by no means sure that the Lib
erals, il they chose to enterlnto the contest
could not carry the State convention against
Genera. Grants partisans. 1t Is certain
that, ii they cared to enter into any com
promises, they could make their own terms
WITH the administration party. They would
lind no difficulty in insisting upon and re-
ceiving the nomination for Governor on
condition vi reiraining from a separate Or
ganization.
In view Of this fact, the resolution of
Governor Palmer becomes q notable in
stance Of public conscience. His name was
the most prominent one before the people
OF the State, OF both wings of the marty.
Tor tue nomination as candidate for Cover
nor. lie might have entered the Republi-
can convention, received the nomination.
and virtually unanimous election, with
out compromise of his dignity or his
position as a Republican. But he would
not suffer the least doubt To remain as 10
his attitude in relation to the iroportant
questions OF the hour. He Withdrew his
name rom the Grant convention, because
nc oid not thihk proper to assume
the responsibility OF accepting fla
probable resolutions of that bodv He
makes his reasons public for this
action. He does not approve of the ra.
election of General Grant. He tb;nls A.
cOnquests OF the war assured. and ramo~ds
the demand of the time to lie rather in the
direction OF civil reforms, aud in q return to
legal and normal administration. He does
not see that any guarantees for tl,;s s'l,,
tary programme would be obtained nv re-
newing the administration, which has dis
tinguished Itself by a disregard of the claims
Of reform, and q still more fragrant CON.
tempt for the forms of law. Governor Pal
mer refers with especial emphasis TO the
uncalled for military interference of the
President with the government and police
of Chicago, which has been condemned bv
the vote OF the Legislature of Illinois.
The accession Of this distinguished Re
publican leader to the Liberal ranks under
these circumstances is a subject for sincere
cOngratulation. He has deliberately re-
nounced the leading position in the councils
OF party which be thought was entering
upon an Objectionable path Casting aside
all considerations of expediency, he has
yielded to the same motives of civic duty
which he obeyed sixteen years ago, when
ne 1orsook the powerful and insolent Pro
slavery party, OF Illinois to cast in his lot
WIN the leenie ana prescribed minority of |
organization. His example is a good one |
for those prudent patriots who recognize
the necessity and the Importance of 1be
Reform movement, but who decline tn com.
NIT themselves to it until its future is as
sured. AS soon as they cease to be needed |
we shall have enough of them.