New-York tribune., 1876-06-27
At ST. IOUIS.
them.


ventIon. presumably composed of the best
representatives of the intelligence, the patriot
ism, the honesty, and the ability of great
political organization, will begin its sessions
The party has history and record dating
further back than any existing political organ
ization; it has traditions which it processes to
respect, and principles to which it avOws a
sincere devotion it has enjoyed success and
suffered defeat; has had its triumphs and Its
disasters; its experience of all the varying
phases Of political fortune. Fer these sixteen
years it has been widely and profoundly DIS
trusted by the people, and in consequence kept
ont of power Notwithstanding the repeated
rejection of its principles, defeat OF Its candi-
dates, and reputation of its policy, it has pre-
served its organization and its machinery, and
stubbOrnly refused to abandon the field
Whatever else may be said of it, it must
be admitted that for oOmPactness and CO.
herence, for tenaciousness of life, and
the resolute will that rises Superior to calam-
| ity, and in the presence of accumulated dlsas-
ters sees nothing more than the need OF n
closer knitting together. this party's career
has been almost without parallel. In the
sixteen years of its rcverses it has done moth
ing as party TO entitle itself to popular CON
| fdence in its ability, honesty, or capacity.
| 1t has only waited upon the bunders OF Its
opponents and watched the chances. Pa
"tience, patience" it has kept repeating; pa
tcnce and shuttle the cards" 1t has had no
claim to be trusted, except as the Opposition
fell out of favor no reason for being, except
as the mistakes of the party in power sug-
gested vague possibilities of change. For these
sixteen years the party has sat waiting at the
door, thinking if not saying, "Time and ]
"against any other two" The opportunity
came last year and found the door ajar The
party now has had brief experience OF par
tial power, and, if we may pursue the figure,
it meets at st. Louis to-day to take action
upon which it shall either open wide the door
and come into full possession or shall get It's
fingers pinched again and fall back howling.
| This is the party whose delegates are within
the next two or three days to offer to the
country its platform of principles and its candi-
dates for President ard VIce-Prcsident. 1t is
party which claims to be in favor OF political
reform. Upon that claim it has been trusted
over few things 1t has carried two or three
States; has had the opportunity TO elect few
United States Senators, and has had majority
in one branch of Congress. What has 1t done
with these opportunities to show its earnest
ness and hOresty? Look at the seats it has
filed in the S, nate read the record of the pro-
ceedinGs of the present Congress and the list
of appointments under it; find anywhere out
side of New York and Gov. Tildens admins
tration the first proof of the party's sincerity
the first practical measure of reform it has carried
out the first thing in fact it has done any
where that has not been petty and contempti-
ble and full of nothing but small partisanslip
and narrOwness. And the attention OF the
delegates to this National Convention OF a
great party-this Convention which hopes to
name the rulers for fifty million people and
lay down the principles of administration and
| the policy of government for cOntincnt-is
divided between two conspicuous individuals,
the central figures of the situation-Mr. John
Kelly and Mr. John Morrissey. The question
of greatest moment is whether the party which
avows itself an exponent of reform will
nominate its only representative reformer.
| The arguments used are well, there
they are in the lobby at st. LOuis-JOhn Kelly
on the one side, and John MorIissey Oh the
other, are using them. There is but one point
in the debate, and that is whether the repre-
sentative rcformcr can carry New-YOrk. No
nonsense there about the gcnulncness OF Til
denis professions or the practical character OF
his reforms Not at all. The sole question is,
| "Can he win? And John Morrssey on the
one side is putting forward the argument of his
Notwithstanding large bets OF his fayorlte-
while John Kelly on the other Is using the
privilege Of his position AS the Boss" OF Tam
many, Withdrawing his patronage and even
social recognition from all who have the
temerity to differ with him.
Pleasing spectacle for the American people,
| isn't it9 Mr.. John Kelly and Mr. John Nor
rissey differing in a large and very positive
way upon the question who shall be President
of the United States, and the delegates from
every State and Territory in the Union, the
representatives Of great political party, look
ing on with large-eyed admiration while these
two champions settle it. No one, OF course,
| will doubt for a single moment the qualiiica-
tions of either of these statesmen for the re-
sponsibilites they are 80 willing TO assume.
That their training education, and experience,
their habits of thought. tastes associations,
pursuits, and above all their familiarity with
the history and science of government, fit
them for the work Of selecting the leaders of
a great party and the rulers for fifty millions
of people-who shall question it 1t Isl pity
two such men should disagree. But they do,
ard the Democratic party waits the cOncu-
sion OF the dispute to know whom 1t may vote
for. Ips fine picture, and well worth the
contemplation Of the American People. Kelly