New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-26
THE Unusual HARMONY.

1t has no doubt Deen remarheu W o'ch uio
most casual Obse rvers of political events that
in the Conventions of both parties in this
State the most striking feature has been the
apparent lack of enthusiasm for the candi-
dates. the platforms, or the party. AT Syracuse
the nomination of Mr.. Tilden elected no
warmth, the adoption of the platform pro-
duced no excitement; through the whole
WEAKNESS of the two days proceedings, the
only heartiness in the way of applause, the
only demonstration in fact that could be
called in any sense enthusiasm, was when Ho-
ratio Seymour appeared upon the platform.
So ut Utica, Notwithstanding the frantic eff
forts of one OF two Office-holders 10 Kindle
the Convention into hearty hurrah at
the mention of Grants name, and the we'll
conceived plan of Mr.. Charles 5. Spencer to
have the nomination of Gov. Dix made with
dramatic effect, there was no response to
either from the Convention except In the
most peIfunctory way. Neither candidates
nor platforms were cheered with any cordi-
alty, and 1t was quite coincidence that just
az the Syracuse Convention gave MIR. Sey-
mour its only cordial enthusiasm, so the Utica
Convention was only stirred to excitement by
the appearance OI IlOSCOC cunning INV
fact is open to a variety OF interpretations
The lack of enthusiasm over the nominations
is accounted for by the fact that both Con-
yentions were made up for the most part OF
professional politicians; men who, II not
holding Office directly from the Federal, State
OF Municipal Governments, are hanging on In
some capacity to one or the other party, and
contriving by hook and by crook to get
precarlous subsistence therefrOm. Neither Mr.
Tilden nor Gen. Dix was the candidate of
these men, though there seemed such unity and
harmony in the proceedings attending upon the
nominations. Had there been the usual push
ing and wrestling and struggling for the
nomination of men who represented patronage
and the use of patronage for partisan purposes,
there would have been no lack OF excitement
and no end of applause. But these gentlemen
were not doing the work of their choice. The
consciousness that the people were looking on
watching them as never before. with lighter
sense of party allegiance, more exacting dis
position in the vital matter of the qualifica-
tons of ability and integrity, and very mani
fest purpose to act independently, kept them
steady at the work which they burst not re-
fuse to do.
But we suspect that the amazing unanimity OF
the Utica Convention which the partisan presses
make so much account of is not so encour-
aging a symptom as they reckon 1t. 1t Is not
now considered so dreadful thing by the
Republican party that Convention is COM
posed in large degree of office-holders as 1t
was in 1856, when Oflice-holderS were fewer
and the influence of patronage less positive
and pronounced; so it may not be OF any con-
sequence that the Utica Convention was vlsl-
bly, and palpaby managed by that class OF
patriots. But it is to be considered In estl-
mating its purpose and effect that the con-
yention machinery of a party in which there
are confessedly widely divergent opinions
upon questions of policy must have
been very carefully adjusted and thoroughly
fabricated to have insured such absolute
smoothness in its working. We called atten-
ton n few DAYS since to the fact that under
the existing system of patronage, vast in its
extent, complete in its ramliicatlons, ana ire
mendous in its power, there is no need OF the
Executive power being visibly exerted to
work its will in the party. The system Is
highly organized; it is sensitive to the suDtlest
influences; it does not need the communlca-
ton of orders or the issuance OF commands
NOT even a word or wink. 1t interprets the
unexpressed wish; it goes without sending, to
the fulfillment of whatever purpose the in
stincts of self-preservation project. The stag
nant harmony at Utica illustrates the fact
completely. Here is a question made
now, by the conspicuous inaction OF that
Convention, the most prominent and i'm
portant of pending issues. With the fact
patent to the public that Republican Conven-
tions in other States have met it fairly and
taken sides upon it, that at least one Con-
eressional Convention in this State has pro-
nounced distinctly upon it, and that it is a
prominent topic of discussion In the press and
among the people, the delegates at Utica ig-
nored it as completely as though it bad never
been preached. 1t is idle to say that it is be-
meath notice OF that it is not factor in the
current political situation. The action of a
single Congressional Convention is sufficient
70 set that argument at rest. It is perfectly
obvious to every thinking man that public
opinion is divided upon it. And yet there was
no apparent difference upon 1t in this Conven-
ton; no lisp, indeed, of the existence of such
q question.
Does any one ask why or how this came
aboutf-how it happened that this singularly
harmonious Convention exercised upon this
subiect the wonderful reticence that so distin-
puisbes its party leader and headf The an
syer is found in the perfect machinery to
which we called attention the other day
whereby the Post Office and Custom house
and Internal Revenue offices control the eau
cuses and primaries, and all the approaches to
the nominating conventions. There did not
need to be any outcry or fuss or public demon
stration to carry out the purpose of the dis
pensers and holders of patronage in control