Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-06-12
The Philadelphia Convention.


So far as we have space, we give this weel
the proceedings of the Republican National
Convention. held at Philadelphia on Wednes-
day and Thursday of last week. All accounts
agree that the attendance was large, and thai
he enthusiasm seemed unmanufactured and
genuine in short, that, in all respects, The
Convention was equal in character, conf
dence and ability to any of the preceding
national conventions Of the party
1t does not appear that there was any
serious thought on the part Of any delegate
Of nominating any person but the President
for the first place on the ticket. Undoubted
Iy some members of the Convention preferred
some other person for President: indeed
most of the reasons given for nominating
Gen Grant for second term, have beer
founded upon expediency, and availability
and what is due to him, rather than upon a
clear Judgment that the party had in its
ranks no man of more commanding fitness
for the chief executive Office of this great
republic But it has been for months fore
gone conclusion that he would be renomi-
mated at Philadelphia and the only Opposi-
ton to him likely to appear inside the party,
long ago cast in its fortunes with the Gin
cinnati movement. Undoubtedly the nomi-
nation Of Mr.. Greeley at Cincinnati made
the work at Philadelphia easier and more
harmonious, as, however great objections
exist to Grant, still greater ones can be
found against Greeley. If anything was
needed to make Grants reelection desirable
Cincinnati furnished it.
The nomination of Mr. Wilson for Vice
President was surprise to almost every one.
1t became only possible, however, through
Mr.. Colfax's letter, published in the lHde-
pendent last year, announcing his purpose TO
retire from public life on the expiration of
his present term of Office. Many looked
upon it almost as an act of bad faith on his
part, to be after that candidate, especially
as he personally. gave Mr. Wilson assurance
that he should not be a candidate before
the Senator commenced the canvass for him
self Cameron, also, for reasons satisfactory to
himself, desired to defeat Mr.. CoIfax, and as
this eminent Senatorial politician had the
Pennsylvania delegation in his pocket, by
causing the solid vote of that State to be
given to Mr.. Wilson, his nomination was
secured. While Mr.. Colfax is no more
honest as politician or in any other way than
Mr. Wilson, he is yet less compliant and less
easily managed, and Cameron therefore
preferred Mr.. Wilson. So far as
,an be seen, what are called the Administra-
ton men in the Senate except Cameron =
preferred Mr. Colfax; and Mr. Wilson |
instead of being, as is claimed |
n some quarters, rebuke of Mr. Sumner,
vas received with pleasure by Mr.. Sumner
himself, and was greatly aided in the Con-
rention by men who bear Mr.. Sumner no
hostility We have never disguised our
cen well content if he had been put at
he head of the ticket but he was fairly
,eaten in the Convention, and neither he
lor his friends make com plant. 1t is quite
,robable that Mr.. Wilson will bring strength
o the ticket both at the South and among
he labor organizations. lie probably knows
rs little of parliamentary law as any man who
les been much in legislative bodies
nut the Senate prefers to be rule to itself
ather than to be kept in order by presi
ling officer, and he will therefore get along
veil enough in the chair lie is known to
be thoroughly honest, conscientious, public
man, and has always been well advanced in
his republicanism and can fairly be said to |
deserve the honor done him by the Conven-
ton.
The platform is well enough, as platforms
20, although it covers an unnecessary num-
Der of subjects, and will hardly be an ele-
nent Of strength in the campaign. If, how
yer, it shall bring about in the party some
# the reforms it favors it will not have been
made in vain. We are tired of platforms
hat have no vitality after election.