The New York herald., 1872-08-23
Mr.. Van Allen on the Straight Out
Movement. a
Repeal of the Constitutional
Amendments.
The Democratic Masses Do Not
Relish Greeley.
The Louisville Convention to Name the Next
President and Vice President and Close
Up tho Bloody Chasm.

Up tho Bloody Chasm.
49, er 81
HERALD reporter yesterday waited on John J.
Van Allen, Of Watkins, N. Y. who is now in this
city, to make inquiries concerning the straightout
democratic movement After explaining his OBJ
ject, the reporter asked, "win you give me such
information as You have In regard to the origin Of
the straAght-out democratic movementsn 9asN
To this Mr.. Van Alien. who Is q lawyer, replied
substantially as foll0ws:-
At the time the State Democratic Convention
held in Rochester on the 18th OF May last seeing
indications Of Greeley's Enforcement by that Con-
vention, attended II for the purpose of exertiug
what innuence had to prevent such action, know
ing that there was strong element Of the democ-
racy who never would consent to support Mr..
Greeley II nominated and that his nomination
would effect the complete dissolution Of the demo-
cratic party. While there l made the very best
light In my power to prevent his endorsement
and what considered to be the suicide Of my
party. l gave notice to delegates as they arrived
that In they persisted in enforcing his nomina-
ton another convention would be called and
democratic candidates would be placed in the field
upon democratic platform. Whether my oppo-
siton was effective am unable to say, but his
nomination was not endorsed. Yet such unmis-
taxable indications were given by the Convention
In the selection OF their officers and delegates to
the National Convention as left no doubt respect
ing their final action.
In an interview with O reporter Of the HERALD,
published on the day OF the Rochester Convention,
truly said that large majority Of the honest
thinking men in the democratic party felt greatly
embittered against Greeley and would not support
him If nominated. Ny statement was scofIed at at
the time as being the expression OF one too
deeply prejudiced TO speak truthfuy and correctly
Of the real situation but the full force Of the truth
OF my remarks will be vndicated so soon as the
people, the homes. voters have an opportunity to
be heard.
The publication referred to In the HERALD called
the attention of some Of my honest democratic
friends Of this city to my position and Views, and
movement was soon after started in this city, at
the head Of which was Mr.. J. R. Flanders, in order
to make the opposition to Mr.. Greeleys nomination
ct Baltimore effective. meeting was held, IN which
several other States were represented by able,
brave and true democrats, and an organization
formed, of which Judge Flanders was made Chair
man and myself Secretary, in order to call q con-
ference OF such democrats as would not support
Greeley II nomil,sted to assemble at Baltimore and
order to prevent the complete overthrow and
destruction OF the democratic party.
connection strange coincidence occurred. On the
same day Judge Flanders and myself issued our
manifesto, Colonel Banton Duncan, OF Louisville,
KY, issued one OF the Same character, we having
had no conference with him and knowing moth.
ing OF his Intentions, or he OF ours.
ourselves in correspondence with him, and we have
since acted together. Our circulars having been
S e to se ~
sequence OF the Greeley movement, confess we
were all Of us greatly disappointed at the smaness
kI.n .1<orc ,lAA AoIS
conference at Baltimore. We had, however, many
letters from most OF the States in the Union favor
Ing our m0vement Yet there were no,
states represented, and some of those
only by one or two delegates. We only asked Of
they should give us democratic candidates OF
their own choosing upon O democratic platform,
Snd we Ds 10 ye e our
mand was refused, and Immediately after the
nomination Of Mr.. Greeley our conference issued an
ing the Louisville Convention for the purpose Of
accomplishing what we assert the other COnven-
@ d to se n 20 H our
motion or Colonel Duncan 1t was resolved that o
committee be appointed, consisting Of one mem.
can was appointed for Kentucky, and myself the
member from the State OF New York. This ex-
plains what each Of US has to do with the organiza-
REPORrER-what success have your labors met
MIR. VAN ALLEN-so far as myself am concerned
have worked almost incessantly since my appoint
ment, and, under the circumstances with good sue
1e fs gres coud % aDo rav e
ated by one who has no such experience. The
nomination Of Mr., Greeley had the effect to throw
sition taken by the members Of the old party is re.
markable Some OF the most sound hardshes
supporters and therefore have been at loss to
know who to apply to for assistance as SO many of
IsUv Ar1H I'm abr
an ana when asked s Sn
1t is this fact that has given Mr.. Greeley 80 much
snss Sp and o wn' srenstS es es %
the commercial and laboring men. who are
not seeking or expecting ONCE, not
their daily abors without often referring to polit
cal subjects. With this class we have great and
substantial strength, and when developed, after
itself In such manner as to surprise and astonish
my former political friends, who are now bowling
strength SO far as we have already done we have
been obliged to find one or two men as nucleus
In town or county, and around that gather those
we have large majority OF the democratic voters.
as Is shown by o protest issued, In which the
vote for Mr. Greeley, but % to support strairtout
democratic ticket when nominated. Indeed, many
who refused to sign the protest and are counted as
t TO Vote the straight ticket when nominated. % nave
been receiving daily for the two months past many
lettersv u WHICH om assured Dy the writer's
that under no circumstances will large portion
OF the democrats In their respective localities vote
for either Greeley or Grant, and SO bitter is the
expression running through those letters against
'thc Baltimore treason, as most Of them term 1t,
as to show the entire sincerity of their assertions.
Why, sir, 1t would astonish you to read the many
letters have received, not only rom various parts
OF this state covering nearly or quite every county
IN IT, as well as from many of the other States OF
the Union. In some localities In Michigan I am
assured by responslble parties that Mr.. Greeley
cannot poll 0ne-tenth OF the democratic vote his
only strength being with the leaders, who have no
followers. In many parts OF Illinois, Indiana and
Ohio the feeling manifested by these letters is
bitter In the extreme. find In your own city