Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-06-15

Editorial correspondence
NEW YORK, June i, 1872.
Since the Philadelphia Convention and
the adjournment of Congress, the political
event most generally discussed is the Bal
timore Convention. Two classes at least
may be said to be anXiously watching de-
velopments connected with its work. The
Greeley Republicans are of course vitality
interested, for without its endorsement
they are out of the race. The Democrats
watch it because it is to fix their status.
The friends of Grant and the neutrals re-
gard his reelection as so much of GER
tainty that they look to Baltimore only to
name certainly "the victim"
But little more can be learned here of
its probable action than the CHRONICLE
can CLEAN from its large exchange list. The
numerous Democratic State Conventions
soon to be held must determine Greeley's
fate. | find two currents of feeling here
that may be Of interest as bearing upon
the Con 7entiOn's work. Democrats who
are not after office, but who adhere to prin-
ciple and have some regard for c0nslS-
tency are not anxious after Greeley.
Those who want " something to turn up,"
and are pretty well satisfied that
with a straight ticket nothing but defeat
can turn up, areready for change. They
favor Greeley and they number a great
many. They are already committed to
him, and q defeat in the convention would
ruin them, so they are very active. They
will 90 to Baltimore as strong as the I'M
scrupulOus element that brought forward
Greeley and Brown, went to Cincinnati.
It only remains to be seen whether the
bitter elements at Baltimore will be over
slaughtered as were the Adams Irum-
bull-SchurZ men at Cincinnati. They
nd
Brown will be the Democratic stand ard
bearers.
The other current of feeling is that rep
resented by the large Conservative neutral
vote. They care but little for what is done
at Baltimore. The fact that the DemOcra-
cy seriously contemplated surrenderipg
their convictions to their lifelong enemy
solely for success is not one that will favor
ABLY influence what [ might call the
money bag' vote. Such a coalition would
not assure them Of a conservative, honest
administration. They, therefore, view the
Baltimore Convention as an event not OF
controlling importance. Greeley's nOmina-
ton would shock these old fOgies about as
much as any that could be made.
THE PROSPECTS FOR NOVEMBER.
Samuel Bowles, who had stood at the
cradle of the sO-called " Reform move
ment at Cincinnati and indeed shared in
the pangs of it's maternity, after being
deafened with the shouts of the Philadel-
phia hosts, telegraphed the Springfield
Republican, surely the Omens are propl-
tiOus for a November victory for Grant
and Wilson," ] left Philadelphia after
fine interchange of views with delegates
from every State, feeling confident that
the people of this great nation would rat
ify our nominations with Il marked ma
iOrity. | have seen many things in New
York to confirm this confidence. [ have
mingled here with men of all classes and
creeds and political faith, and find a very
strong current for Grant and Wilson
among men who can not be called strictly
Republicans. The great corporations and
men Of extended business interests are for
Grant and Wilson. They have fortunes
at stake and do not care for political par
ties. They have their business arrange
ments made for years ahead, and they
want, above all things, firm and conser-
vative Administration at Washington.
They are satisfied with the business re-
suits of Grants work, and they can not
afford to risk a change. They know that
the per centage of losses in the civil SER
vice has been less under Grant than under
any Administration since 1929.
They know that Grant and his associ-
ates are honest, and have given us an even,
unchanging policy that has appreciated our
public credit and fostered commercial and
financial enterprises. The influence Of
this class is very great, and l would not be
eXaggerating to say that so far as | know,
it is solid for Grant. A friend with whom
l was conversing on this subject yesterday,
said, "Do you see all those insurance
signs on Broadway, and do you realize the
vast extent of the influence and power of
that business? / am interested in it and
know something about it. l believe it
nearly unit for Grant and Wilson. 1t
cares nothing for politics, but it can't af-
ford to risk any change"
A part of this great interest, and fully re-
alizing its business is Ex-Governor Nor
gan, Of this city, who said in little speech
in Philadelphia in exchanging congratu-
lations with the Massachusetts delegates
that " New York will surprise the country
next November, and [ say to my friends
of Massachusetts,, do your best for we of
New York mean to follow you close in our
majority for Grant"
If Greeley has strength anywhere, he
ought to have it here. He has some Re
publican followers, but the per cent. is ex-
ceedingly small, and growing beautifully
less. When the people declare the bank
ruptcy of this new coalition and its assets
are TdhOu together uOSG pcISOuS Will DG
surprised at their showing. An unscrupu-
Ious sheet like the Sun that manufactures
Greeley clubs and Greeley meetings with
out material, can make the party appear
of some strength, but the fact, as the
Herald of yesterday said, the most that
they can now hope for is to make a re-
spectacle showing for 1876. The omens at
New York are as propitiOuS as at PhiIadel-
phia, and / find but few fair men not will
ing without delay to concede Grants re-
election.
REPUBLICANS AND GREELEY.
I asked prominent Republican leader
at Philadelphia how he felt about the
Greeley movement. "Well,u said he, 81
know Greeley is very anxious for the Bal
timore nomination, and [ would like to
see. him defeated just tosour him. Butas far
as the campaign is concerned l would
rather than not they would nominate him.
1t would make the canvass amusing. I
would like to stump my State and have
my old Democratic antagonists meet me.