Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-05-03
Cincinnati.

The correspondent of the Boston Adver-
tiser at the Cincinnati convention says of that
body. 1t is an anti-republican movement
from the foundation, and the republican
name is only preserved for the sake Of en-
listing the floating discomfort which inevita-
bly, gathers about party long time in pow
er. The meetings to-day were given up to
the rhetoric of the revolution. The reasons
are to come up hereafter. Two national
conventions have been in session. The re-
union and the reform convention is thus far
| wholly distinct from the liberal republican
convention. 1t has heretofore had local
organization only. 1t now aims to become
national. 1t looks vaguely towards the for
nation of new party in which the sterner
virtues of the old democrat may be tempered
by the mildtr virtues of the old republican.
"You are no longer democrats, you are no
longer republicans, said the president of the
convention to his moderate audience. "You
have been arrayed against each other upon
questions which the voice of history has ans
wered. You have been divided as by cloud
which has not only ceased to be frery but
which has been wholly dispelled." On this
ground the reunionists and reformers desired
that all party names should be abandoned and
that the new platform should be made broad
enough for all democrats and all republicans
to stand on. The regular convention, how
ever, the mass meeting which has called this
great crowd together, is by no means pre-
pared for that. 1t is composed in great part
| of republicans who have no idea Of burning
| their bridges until they know whether re-
| treat will be desirable or not. At the open
| ing of the liberal convention this morning,
the large Industrial Hall was about two-thirds
nlled.
The Globe correspondent says: The Lib
| roll h,,hb hoIl bad hrr
the comparatively meagre showing at the
hall. 1t will hold over eight thousand per-
sons without crowding. AT no time was
there more than half that number present,
delegates, journalists and spectators all
counted. Within the space arranged for the
delegates not over than 1900 were seated.
They were all admitted by card, and it is fair
to presume that the showing constituted the
movements full strength. We who are only
| lockers. on in the "reform" Venice, were both
amused and amazed at the scarcity of atten-
dance, and the rusty and rustic appearance
| of the delegates in general, the want of any
enthusiasm, the general air of bewilderment
| and the utter absence of coherent force.
| Chief Justice Chase has written letter to
a friend in Cincinnati, which concludes thus
"My views as to the proposed Cincinnati
conv ention, which you ask for, are not very
clear. My impression is that they ought to
indicate their preferences. They should act
so as to secure democratic cooperation. You
ask whether l would, under circumstances,
accept nomination. l answer that should
not decline, but l do not seek it. If the
nomination is thought by those entitled to
judge, the best means of uniting the friends
of reform aud amnesty, whether republicans
or democrats, shall have no right to decline
it. If not, don't want it.
Faithfully your friend,
S. p. CHASE"