Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-07-18
THaaBAEfIM0RK CONVENTION.
BALTIMORE, July 9.

Upon calling the convention to or
der, Mr. Belmont said g
Gentlemen of the C6meemtion--Iti is
again my privilege to- welcomer'th
delegates Of the National Democracy
who have met in order to present to
the American people the candidates
for Prssid Dent and Iies- Prssidentfor
whom they solicit the sufrages of the
Democratic and Conservative voters
of this great Republic. At our last
National Convention, on the 4th OF
July, 1868, I predicted that the cleo
ton of General Grant wodid result
in the 8F@dal snsarpahSH bfsal stAe
functioRs satIs agoveftInaha a entity StAe
Executive and by Congress, to be en-
forced by the bayonets Of a military
SsoBfsia SsoB1s zBsssis Ra|RE:is q II
\ messed with grief and sorrow. the cor
recttifsass IF RRas iP5fesd8iFesti5h,' ssand d4hey
look forward with fear andapprahens
sion to the dangers which are threat
ening US if, by the reelection of Cen
eral Grant, the policy thus far pur-
sued by the Radical party be contin-
ued. The thinking men Of hpthp, Par g +
ties have become alive To the fact
that we are now living gunder q mill
tary despotism, overriding the civil
authority in many States of the Uni
on; that by the enactment Of ar
bitrary and unconstitutional laws
through a. depraved majority in Con-
gress, the rights of the States are in
fringed and trampledENpsgs and that h4astt
Casarism and GENERALIZATION are un-
dermining the very foundation of our
Federal system and are sweeping
away the constitutional bulwark erect
ed by the wisdom Of the fathers Of
the Republic. These abuses have
become 50 glaring that the wisest and
best men Of the Republican party
have severed themselves from the
Radical wing, which is trying to fas-
ten upon their country another four
years reign of corruption, usurpation
and despotism; and whatever indi-
vidual opinion we may entertain q as !
to the course Of the candMates whom
they have selected in opposiaon'to
General Grant, there cannot be any
doubt of the patriotic impulses which
dictated their action, nor can any
fault be found with the platform Of
principles upon which they have
placed their candidate. The resolur
tions Of the Cincinnati Convention
are what the county requires, and
they must command the. hearty sup
port of every patriot throughout the
vast extent Of our land !. ,Insthe stgag-
Gle which is before us We must look
to principles and not men; and |
trust that no personal predictions
or prejudice will deter US from doing
onr duty to the American people.
si(Sensra 1rant. had been Z 4 q good and;
kaithfm soldier. During our civil var
his stubborn and indomitable courage
helped to crown the Union with vic
tory, and the American people thaye
rewarded his services With the most
unbounded generosity. I am willing
to concede that his intentions on ta-
king the Presidential chair were good
and patriotic, but he has most signal
ly anabaalY3 The, discharge
Of the high trust imposed upon him
blythe confidence grateful -peo-
plensHeds atsthis mppent the yer.
rpefson6catioH 81 ths Misrale which
is Is 81; Opposed to IS, and Els reelection is
fraught with : aaosfa 9 q 4 eplelg'ssbass ssl's 6 qeoase-
ouences for the welfare ol the Re
public, and epdangers the Liberties of
our people. On the other hand. Mr.
Greeley has been heretofore a bitter
opponent Of the Democratic party,
and the violent attacks against my
self inaisidnallg: which have, s.S from ron
time to time appeared ips bis, Journal,
certainly dohsE enffls lin to any
sympathy and preference at my hands.
But Mr.. Greeley represents the ma
tional and constitutional principles of
the Cincinnati. platform, and by his
admirable and manly letter of accept
ance he has shown that he is fully
alive to their spirit, and that, if elect
ed, he means to carry them out HON
estfy and faithfully. Should you,
stherefore, in your wisdom decide to
pronounce in favor of the Cincinnati
candidates. I shall, for 6ne, most
cheerfallya abury all past differences
ahd Vote 'afd labor for their election
with the same zeal and energy with
which 7 have supported heretofore
and mean ever to support the candi-
dates Of the Democratic party. The
AMERICAN people look with Ieepsso-
lieitnde to your deliberations. Its
for yon 10 devise. means by which to
free them from the evils under which
they are Suffering; bnt,, in order 10
obtaia that, ,gou are called upon to
make every sacrifice of party prefer
ence,,a However much you might de-
sire to fgH the coming battle for our
rights and liberties under one OF the
trusted leaders Of the Democratic
party, twill become your duty t.
discard all considerations Of party
tradition if the el, ION Of a good and
wiiseSiisiT i eiis mi toutsdI Of 'btirG own ranks
offers better chance of success You
must reh1eaMber that YOU areshers not
only as Democrats, but as citizens o!
our common country. and that !nt
saenfee can. be. too great that she de-
mapds at your hands.
.Mr. Belmont, after some further
persona remarks, nominated .as the
temporary president of the conyen-
ton. Thomas Jefferson Randolph. .oi
Virginia, saying; 1T is an suspicious
6enlthat a scion of the author of the
Declaration of Independence'is to in
augurate the struggle Of the Demcc-
racy for freedom and equality for. ev-
erya American citizen, and against
oppression and tyranny-in our fan
1and' J.i4f. 's5s-- QUO