Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-15
"SWALLOVING" GREELEY.

The New York World of Monday morn
ing of last week, printed the following re-
markable article as its leading editorial.
It's suggested that the friends of Mr. Gree
ley would do well to paste it in their hats
for future reference. The condition of the
World is that Of a large portion Of the
Democratic party The dose is too
powerful
"The great and exciting event of the pres
ent week is the meeting of the Democratic
National Convention at Baltimore. 1t will be
the most unique and remarkable political con-
yention that ever assembled in this country.
The keen interest with which its proceedings
will be watched bears no small resemblance to
the curious uncertainty of the spectators of
game of skill or chance, who care nothing for
the contestants, and bet on the result as a
means of indicating their Judgment and fore
sight. As TO the main result of the Baltimore
Convention, there is no room for difference of
opinion. Mr.. Greeley's nomination is as GER
tain as General Grants was at Philadelphia
and the certainty is due to the same cause,
namely, that the convention has been so skill
fully packed that nobody can doubt that its
action will be practically unanimous. The
nomination of Greeley is as certain as the
rising of the sun next " ednesday at the time
set down in the almanacs.
ut is oddly, not uncertainty, that causes
so lively an interest in the proceedings at
Baltimore 1t is the same kind of interest on
which Barnu,n, the prince of humbugs, has
always SO adroitly practised. Joyce Heth,
and the woody horse, and the What Is 1t,
and the happy family and the Kentucky
giant and the fat woman did not attract
h. %la,, lad tln al Ia
tons of the public, but because they seemed
extraordinary and monstrous. In a great bill
lizard match, or a remarkable horse race, the
whole interest Of the betting fraternity hangs
upon lie uncertainty OF the result. But in all
Of Barnum's hImbugging exhibitions the in
terest depends on the surprise felt by vulgar
minds in beholdng something unusual.
'Barnum, the prince of humbugs, never
offered anything quite so odd and monstrous
q the entertainment which has been arranged
at Baltimore to' tbs presentweek. the public
mind is not tossed between conflicting posi-
bilities, for nobody expects any other result
than the nomination of Greeley; but the in
terest which is wrought up to SO high pitch
subsists upon the wondering incredibly of the
public. Of all the strange things which have
ever happened what can seem more extraor-
binary than the nomination Of Horace Gree
ley as the regular democratic candidate for
President? 1t being already certain THAI the
thing will be done, the country watches the
process with the same kind of interest it would
feel in looking at n hungry anaconda about to
swallow a stag-hoois, branching horns, and
all-when it would nearly cost the anaconda
his life to perform the feat. to say nothing of
the pains of digestion afterwards.
"Such feat of deglutition will be performed
at Baltimore to-uorro or next day, when the
democratic party Will gulp down Mr.. Gree
ley; and as this amusing meal has been de-
cided on, we can only wish the democratic
party happy digestion. The World will
contribute no slime to give the animal slip
perry passage down the throat ofthe devourer
but when the thing is done, it will do what
ever may be in its power to aid the digestion,
and prevent the democratic party going into
torpid and prolonged stupor by reason of the
heavy load upon its stomach. We trust there
may be vigor enough in the party to digest
this monstrous meal, and come forth after
wards as well as could be expected.