Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-01-30
out any OF The st tvs.

OuS any OI5tne GtttsS.
Let, then steps be taken for a cooperation
of all the opponents of Grant in . National
Convention, to be held on the last Wednes~
day of June. in cincinnati or st. Louis, to
presenta candidate with whom the people, can
safely go to trial next November with the
sleeping partner of Murphy, Tweed, Leet& &
Co, upon the developments now making in
the New York Custom>house fraud inyestiea
tons.
We publish above. by request, an article
taken from the Ohio Statesman, on .what
should be the policy of the Democrats and
Conservative Republican," We agree with
the editor of the Statesman, that it ia neces
sary, if we, wish to carry the Presidential
election we must take active steps to coucen>
tr"te the elements Of opposition; to Grant on
some common platform and available capdi-
dates. But we do not think this can be done
in the manner suggested by the Statesman.
As is admitted by him. the Democratic vote
will constitute at least nine>tenths of the vote
which. under any circumstances, would be
cast against Grant. Yet, as stated by him,
if an attempt is made to hold a convention to
be composed of Democrats and Anti Grant
Republicans, there will be those who will in
balance of power) that one of their number
shall be nominated as President. The nine
tenths cannot be expected to yield to such an
extent to the one-tenth, and if such a candi.
d.,e should be nominated, he would lose so
many Democratic votes that he would be Ger.
tain to be beaten by Grant. The Statesman
thinks, however, that such q mixed conveu.
ton would nominate a moderate Democrat for
President. If it did, it would only do 20 by
permitting the ,Anti>Grant Republicans to
dictate the platform, which would as assured
ly lose enough of Democratic votes to insure
the defeat of the candidate of such conven-
ton. We think that it would be far better
for the Democratic party to keep up its or
ganization. To disband on the eve of a e. hit.
as stated by the Statesman, would result in
disaster, and yet the plan he proposes
amounts. in our Judgment. to such disband-
ing. Our plan would be for the Democratic
party 70 hold a convention of its. own-the
time suggested by the Statesman (the last
Wednesday in June) would do very we'll
Let such convention, in all its deliberations.
have a due regard to the fact that there are a
large body of Republicans opposed to Grant.
We think it highly probable that such a con-
%vention would conclude that, under all the
circumstances it might be unwise to form
anysplatform except simply a negative one,
%denouncing the outrages of the Grant Re-
publicans as a party. The candidates. too. of
such a convention, while they would be such
as could receive The support of the Demo-
cratic party, would he selected specially with
reference t" their net being particularly oh
jectinnable to the Ants rant Republicans
Bat the Democratic party, constituting as i.
does nine>tenths of the Anti rant voters.
would doubtless be satisfied with whatever
dence in the convention they would support
its action. and such a convention could 90
much farther in the way Of compromising so
as to get the support of the Anti-Grant Re-
publicans. than it would be possible for a
mixed convention, such as is suggested by the
Statesman, could safely do. Such mixed
convention, having the confidence of neither
Democrats or Anti Grant Republicans, would
be looked on with suspicion. and its action.
in our judgment, (it it did not break up
without taking any a%ction,) mould be almost
certain to be repudiatcd by the people. 1t
will not do to try such experiments.