New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-04
TILE LOnLSHLLLE CONVENTTON.

The Blanton- Grant Convention at Louis
vile was born in trouble and Graded III II
row. 1t is likely to pass into history amid
the ridcnlc of continent. Though it styled
itself tho Democratic National Convention,
not single Democrat Of national rcpute could
be induced to attend it. Tho gathering was
composed OF a few political Adventures of
the smallest type, IL few defunct Seccs-
sionists, a contingent OF Grant mer-
cenaries, and the bought followers of Biz.
James OBrien. Mr.. Lyons OF Virginia, To-
caly known as the American LamaTtlnc, was
the presiding officer; and hlr. Charles OCOnor,
upOn whose name alone the assembage relied
for responsibility, wrote a letter to the mem
bers of tho Convention only to say that he
would have nothing to do with them. 1t made
little difference after this whether MIR. Bhinton
Duncan found any other gentleman to take
his nomination or not
AS for Mr. O'COnor's letter. though il was
the only thing in the proceedings worth a
moments notice, the most enthusiastic adj
mirer of that eminent lawyer clnnot call it
an elective political document. Mr. OCOnOr
believes in Reform but opposes the Reform
movement, and approves of the Louisville
convention, lUOUSH uC says iIt
only choice OF the country is between Grant
and Greeley, and ntimates that he knows the
Louisville affair 10 oo devised in the interest of
Grant Nearly tn gnOle of his letter Is devoted
to the exposition of an abstract theory OF gov
eminent, by which every ye5tige of central
lied power and the authority TO borrow money
and impose duties AMI excuses for revenue
are to be prohibited, and fOur-tiths of the
governmental intervention now exercised in
carrying on the affairs of society shall be done
away with. Whatever we may think of Mr..
OConor's theory, it need not be discussed
lust now, since neither the Louisville,
nor the Baltimore, nor the Cincinnati,
nor the Philadelphia party, nor any other
party in any country of the world, dreams of
putting it in practice. Imagine the feelings of
Mr. Jimmy 0'Brien's strikers and Mr. Blanton
Duncan's blatherskites when, having asked
Mr. O'Conor tor the loan of his name, they
were plumply refused, and got instead of it
an abstruse philosophical essay!
When it comes to the choice between Grant
and Greeley, says Mr.. O'Conor, and TO the
consideration of mitigating the miseres OF the
South, we must bear III mind that "Once his
"second term shall have been secured, Gen.
"Grant'S only motive for inflicting misery on
|" that portion of his countrymen will cease"
We cannot agree with him. 10 assume that
Grant will repent and reform as soon rs We
have testified our approval of his Iliscon-
duct by rejoicing him 10 Office
is hardly in keeping with MIR.
O'Conor's wcll-known acuteness. If tho
Presidents only motive for expressing the
South will CEASE when he has secured his
second term, it must be thai he Is personally
and solely responsible for carpet-bag misgOv-
eminent, bayonet laws, and all the attendant
evils. But his worst enemies have never said
that of him. He is in II great measure the
tool of corrupt and ambitious politicians; and
he will be made to serve their interests as
long "a he retains power.
Finally, Mr. OConor explains that he refuses
the honor Mr.. Blanton Duncan thrlsts upon
him because of his unalterabe resolve to re-
main in private station (which, 1t seem, to
us, would not have been in any way inconsis-
tent with the acceptance Of the Louisville
nomination,