The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-07-27

But suppose it had been otherwise. Sup.
pose that the Cincinnati candidates represent
ed real reform, is any Of their supporters 80
foolish as to imagine for 4 moment that it is
the desire of reform which has led the Demo-
cratic Convention 10 accept them3 1t is .
point easily tested. For if the Cincinnati
movement had resulted in the promis Of
genuine reform. and had divided the Republic
can party 30 equally between General Grant
and Mr.. Greeley that straight Democratic
candidate would have been sure of election,
would the Democrats, who are now said to be
90 jealous for reform, have nominated Mr..
Greeley7 Yet why not, if they are more
anxious for reform than Tor power7 And i
they had nominated . straight Democrat,
would the Liberal Republicans who now pro-
pose to vcte with them for reform have
thought reform to be equally secure whether
the Democrat or Mr.. Greeley were elected
Why should any body deliberately deceive
himsslfr The Democrats favor reform now
~ they did in 1868 and 1864 aud 1864, no
more and no less. Look at the Baltimore Con-
vention. Consider its leaders. Think Of the
delegates from New York, from Governor
Hoffman down. We all know them. They
ere perfectly familiar in our politics. Gov
ernor Hoffman was the henchman of Tweed,
| and signed the Erie bill. The very scum of
Tammany rejoices most in Greeley's nomina-
ton. Are these reformers7 Is John T. Hoff.
| man reformer1 Is Kinsela a reformer
Is Robert Christie a reformerl Arc they
- m n eOro IF Civyi1
| service which shall give Offices to the best
qualified, and not to influence and political
consideration? Are they more anxious than
the friends of General Grant to respect tae
Constitution, to preserve the national, faith, or
to defend the equality Of all citizens, white or
black, at the North or the South Nobody
can ask the question without loud laughter
The whole contest resolves itself into one
simple inquiry: Did the action of the Balti-
more Convention represent the real desire and
chance for reform in this country, or the de-
teTa ination of the Democratic party to recov-
er power If it can? In the present situation
Mr.. Greeley, although the most comical, il
the most Insignificant element. He most
symbolically holds his tongue. Neither his
words, his wishes, nor his opinions really af-
feet the position now, nor will they hereafter
The contest is the final struggle of the old
forces. Shall the organisation under which
The crimes against liberty, civilization, and
human nature itself have been committed in
this country be destroyed, or shall it survive
Whether that organization be represented by
Horatio Seymour, or Wade Hampton, or Hor.
ace Greeley is Of no importance what ever
In 1856 and go it appealed for support upor
national grounds, and Jeff. Davis spoke il
Portland deprecating 'sectionalism.' In 81
it asked support as the friend of peace II
'6S it sighed for fraternity and Cancellation.
And now, in ~, it presents itself, Ta.nmany
in front, as the apostle of reform and purity
We do not believe that the change of masl
will avail more in this election than in th
last three. Honest and loyal citizens every
whore will heartily agree that il there hav
been things which they condemn in the pres
ent Administration, they see how they can b
corrected; but that they see no remedy 70
the consequences of . return to power of thos
whom their candidate himself describes q
compromising the most dangerous classes q
the population.