The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-09
The Republican Convention at sara
tOga.

be ticketed for a cabinet of political curl
osities In calling it an anti Grant conyen-
ton we do not refer solely nor mainly TO its
resolution condemning a third term, since
that might mean much or little according to
\ circumstances A maiden may repel her
| lover from coyness, which means TO consent
at last, or from deep and instructive repug-
nance, which persistent courtship can never
surmount. Watchful observers easily
! discern whether she has a real fondness for
| the sutton on whom she affects to frown, and
/ they make up their minds as to whether she
would be pleased or disguised by further at
/ tempts to capture the citadel. If the Sara
/ toga Convention was not really opposed to
! the third term it was great adept in the art
/ of dissimulation. The sutton in the song
| deemed it regular enough that the lady
! should dissemble her love- but thought it
rather hard that she should kick him down
stairs President Grant might fifty address
the Saratoga Convention in the words of that
ludicrous song
The republican delegates did several things
which President Grant cannot easily con-
strue in any other sense than as downright
insults. 1t elected Mr. Curtis as its presiding
officer, although Mr. Curtis resigned his
place on the Civil Service Commission in
disgust and attributed the failure of that
great reform to the insincerity of the Presi-
| dent. They solicited Mr.. Evarts to accept a
place on the ticket, although he has a chronic
dislike of General Grant, and it is but little
more than six months since he made a vigor-
Gus harangue against the President in the
great hall of the Cooper Institute denouncing
his Louisiana policy. They offer the Comp
! trollership to ex-Treasurer Spinner, who re-
Gently resigned his Office in a huff and har-
bors a deep grudge against the administra-
ton. The New York republicans have
! offered their highest honors to the enemies Of
President Grant, and he differs from or
binary men if he should not feel stung by
the insult.
The election of Mr.. Curtis as President of
the Convention, and the proffer of the most
honorable places on the ticket to republicans
who denounce and deride the President, are
significant signs of the times. This strange
course has been adopted with two objects.
One is to strengthen the party in New York
by winning back the liberals, and the other
to unload the party of the great burden of
odium under which it staggers in conse-
quence of General Grants irregular personal
aspirations AS the liberals cut loose from
the party out of sheer hostility to the Presi-
deat it is supposed that they can be allured
into the fold by treating him with contumely.
1t is expected that Mr. Fenton and his fol-
lowers will again act with the party when it
publicly washes its hands of General Grant
Mr.. Fenton has thrown out limitations to
that effect and the Convention, instead of
meeting him half way, has gone to his very
doors to solicit his aid. The praise bestowed
upon President Grant in the platform is
merely a sugar coating to the bitter pill
administered in their unequivocal declaration
against a third term. But the honey is
mingled with gall. There is a sidelong
thrust at the President in what is said
about generous and forbearing policy
in the Southern States" and ga firm refusal
to use military power, except for purposes
clearly defined in the constitution" This is
an obvious though indirect condemnation
Of President Grants military interference
with the Louisiana Legislature, which Mr.
Evarts denounced with fervid eloquence
before the assembled multitude at Cooper
Institute last winter The Convention has
indorsed and promulgated the ideas of Vice
President Wilson both in relation to gen
erous treatment Of the South and in relation
TO welcoming back the strayed liberals into
the republican fold. The language of the
platform on the third term question is une-
quivocal and satisfactory. With some sweet
ening Introductory phrases the Convention
say, eve declare our unalterable opposition
to the election OF any President for third
term" If the opposition be really ''unal-
terable," if it is founded on principle
and not put forth as an electioneering
expedient, it extinguishes the hopes of
General Grant. Now that the New York
republicans have added their declaration
to those which have been made in
Pennsylvania and other States, the renomi-
nation of President Grant is impossible if
his opponents stand their ground. But
these declarations must not stop with New
York. Every republican convention here
after held must take the same ground, in
order that the corpse of the third term may
be buried. It cannot be construed as per-
sonal opposition to General Grant if they
initiate the New York Convention in constru-
ing his letter as an absolute withdrawal.
The reform resolutions are good in them
selves, but they contain an obvious fling at
Governor Tilden, when they speak of REFORM
ing abuses, Furnishing offenders and en-
forcing retrenchment without boastful, os-
tentatious pretensions;" but they recognize
his boastful efforts by pledging the republic
can nominees to give their faithful support
to every honest attempt at reform. They say,
! further, that "the guilty offenders in the
1.orn h nnr,nln -l.1...1l 1..1-l