New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-04
Cincinnati Convention.

Lock Box 81.
Cincinnati Convention.
Every day now brings us one day nearer to
the great impending political event which it is
feared may cause serious disruption in the
ranks of the great Republican party. The
friends of the Cincinnati Convention have
been ridiculed and denounced, but neither
ridcule nor denunciation' have served to turn
them from their purpose. They are going
straight onward, and mean to hold the con-
vention. Among them are men of good re-
port, distinguished for great qualities, the
stuff Of which inflexible reformers are made.
A gainst such men and their measures, there
are no effective weapons aside from sound ar
g1ment based upon justice and liberty. Men
like HORACE GREELEY and, HENRY r. Sell
DEN are not to be frightened out of their con-
Eictions by menace or derision. If reason
loes not reach them the lash will not, and
hence, what we have to say of this Cincinnati
|cheme shall be in the nature of argument
father than threats or denunciation.
The right of American citizens to assemble
g citizens or as parties, to canvass the policy
public measures at such times, and in such
laces as they may select cannot be ques-
foned. A Cincinnati Convention has the
anne right to assemble and to select candi-
ates for the highest Offices in the gift of the
alton, that the Philadelphia Convention has,
any convention has to assemble at any
TIER time or in any other place. Viewed
nus broadly, all stand upon common level.
THAT is true of the right to assemble is
Aually true of the right to be candidate for
be Presidency. CRATE Brown, LYMAN
RUMBULL, and HORACE GREELEY, have as
pod right to seek q nomination for that Of
pe, and to be voted for as any body else.- "An
ings are lawful, but all things are not ex-
edient." Every man is bound to exercise
rights in that manner which shall promise
| largest benefit to the country, and he can
Il advance single inch without encounter
| the question of sound expediency. No
e vote can nominate and elect President
She United States, and the best rule thus
discovered, in fact, the only practical rule
to allow the majority to rule, both in the
estion Of nomination and election.
Now there are many objections to be urged
Rinst the expediency Of the proposed Gin
matt Convention, some of these respect
inner and form, some respect the principles
public policy which the convention may
Ppt, and which it is likely to adopt, some
pect the source from which the proposition
hold the convention emanated, but the fun
mental and all-controlling objection is, that
Is measure which in effect, tends by a
Pw Of strength for mischief, on the part of
minority of the Republican party to coerce
Majority of that party to abandon their can
ate for the Presidency, and compel them
ake up candidate in accordance with the
hes of the minority. 1t says to a vast
bority of the Republican party, abandon
ANT, or we will break up the party. There
men in the Cincinnati movement, who are
prepared perhaps to go this length, but
IS the literal meaning Of the movement
lf, and those who once step into its turbid
rent will be irresistibly swept on to this
ition. Take this meaning from it, and it
no longer have interest for any body. 1t
u attempt Of Republicans acting outside of
Republican party to control the action of
Publicans inside of the Republican party,
who, acting according to well-established
8, the observance of which, is essential to
very existence of free party action and of
Government. Others may be able to dis
uish between the principle of this move
It, and the "rule or ruin" principle by
fh it was attempted to break up this Union
N the freemen Of the nation proposed to
I ABRAHAM LINCOLN President of the
ted States, but we cannot. The South then
us that they would remain in the Union so
as they could rule the Union, and no
Ger. 1t was an arrogant, unreasonable,
insulting alternative, and the freemen of
baton refused to obey, and took the con-
(ences of their selfrespect and independ-
The freemen of the Republican party
probably follow the nations example.
is natural for us to look at this Cincin.
movement with special reference to the
tests Of the newly emancipated and newly
hnchised citizens Of the Republic. For,
~AAs NV SSotuS VI Tue COlOIeQ man Is
in question. 1t is great thing to have
laws on the Statute Book, but it is not
ng Of less importance to have good men
Zee and good strong party to SUPPORT
There has not been an hour since
when with the right kind of men on
bench Of the Supreme Court-slaverv
not have been declared unconstitu
!. Laws have their value, but laws in
bands Of men opposed to the objects
BIT by the laws, may be rendered almost
rative. Mr.. FRANK BLAIR, who owes
De In the Senate, to the men who lead
Cincinnati movement understands this,
others understand 1t as well. What
the civil nghts bill be worth in the
Of Democrats and the CONSERVATIVES?
is blind man indeed, who does not
bat the preservation Of the Republican
and its continued control during the