The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-05-10
The Cincinnati Convention,

For weeks the main topic of conversa-
tion among politicians has been the
Cincinnati Convention. Unusual inter-
est was excited in regard to it not only
because its call was out of the beaten
path, but because of the large number
OF prominent Republicans who Joined
in the movement, and of the probable
effect it would have on the coming Pre-
sidential election. Its actual work is
before us, and has become history, but
the future results are matters for specu
lation.
Itmust be conceded at the outstart
that no political convention for many
years has been so representative as that
held at Cincinnati, 1t not only com.
prised the element in the Republican
party dissatisfied with Grant, but its
leaders were and are the ablest men in
the organization those who founded
and fostered it, and by their active aid
and assistance in the past led it to vic
tory. 1t is not revolt against the par
ty, but against the men yho usuped its
management.
Many able men were suggested as
candidates for President, any one of
whom in point of ability, integrity, or
sound Republicanism is the superior of
Grant. Men may smile at the nomina.
tion of Greeley for President, but that
very nomination shows the earnestness
of the men engaged in the matter, and
its effect will be greater than many i'm.
agine at the present time.
In the first place neither the ability
nor the integrity of Mr.. Greeley can
for moment be doubted. His whole
life has been devoted to the interests of
the Republican party. He and Sumner
and Schurz, and Adams, and Fenton,
and other so.called Liberal Republicans
were building it up aOhen Grant a0as DO
ting for Buchanan and Breckenridge-
when Butler was using his influence to
nominate JEFF. Davis for President in
lS6O-and when Akerman and Long
street Grants latest allies and ap.
pointees to office were marshalling reb-
ell hosts against Union troops.
Again, he and Sumner have a much
stronger hold on the colored people than
Grant. Whilst the latter was undeter-
mined whether to be Democrat or Re-
publican, and when even Lincoln hesi-
tated, the former were demanding the
freedom and enfranchisement of the
slaves. In fact, had Greeley been the
regular Republican nominee, he would
have received their unanimous vote.
Greeley is also strong because all the
Independent parties and isms will con-
centrate on him, even if he has no
chance for success. The Republican
temperance men find their beau ideal
as candidate in him, and must stuitify |
themselves to vote for notorious tin. |
pier like Grant.
In him the tariff men find an original |
and persistent advocate-a man who |
has been their champion and bulwark |
for nearly half a century. On the con.
trary, Grant has no fixed opinion on |
the subject, and among his first official !
acts was the appointment of a notori- |
GUS freetrader, A. Il. Stewart, as Secre. |
tary of the Treasury.
Lastly, Greeley is not man to be |
dragged from the course by threats or |
promises. He and his supporters are |
terribly in earnest, and will make |
themselves felt during the entire can
vass.
The platform is an admirable produc.
tion and contains very little to which a
Democrat could not subscribe, and vet
that can be offensive to any fair
minded Republican. The address to
the people Is scathing rebuke to the
present administration, and coming
from the source 1t does must have great
weight with the Republican masses.
If its charges be true, aud on that
point there can be little doubt, no man
who attended that convention can con.
support Grant, whatever the
result may be.
1t charges him with usurpation, tyr.
ranDy and corruption; and the election
of an honest Democrat must be greatly
preferred by consistent Republicans to
the success of the man whom they thus
stigmatise and condemn.
MASSACHUSETTS, AND SOUTH CARO-
A. X. Mcclure and Col.