The New York herald., 1876-11-07
History Of IN. Centennial Canvass.


sembled on the 14th Of June at Cincinnati.
The delegates came together with near
approach to unanimity as to the main issues
they wished TO present in their platform, but
with great diversities of preference respect
ing the leading candidates. The friends OF
the three strongest men in the republican
party-Messrs. Conkling, Morton and
Blaine-were pressing their claims, and the
likelihood that all three might be put out OF
the field by mutual rivalry encouraged the
pretensions of lesser candidates. Mr.. Bris-
tow was taken up by the advocates OF ad-
ministrative reform. and Messrs. Hayes,
Hartranft and Jewell were presented by
their respective States in view of the con-
tingency that the choice would at last fall
on some compromise candidate. There
were seven spirited ballots, resulting in the
nomination of Governor Hayes. Mr.. Blaine
steadily led all his competitors by large
plurality in every ballot but the last, and
even in the last he had greater number Of
votes than in any Of the preceding The
supporters of most Of the other candidates
broke on the seventh ballot and concen-
trated on Hayes and Blaine. Hayes receiving
3S4, Blaine 35l, and Bristow, the only one Of
che other candidates who did not entirely
disappear, dwindling to q. The con-
centration on Hayes was chiefly due to
Don Cameron, and was recognition by the
Convention that the party could not afford
to lose both Ohio and Indiana in the October
elections. 1t was wise choice, for with any
other candidate Ohio would have been lost,
and with it all the chances Of electing o re-
publican President.
The Democratic National Convention met
in ST. Louis on the 9th of June. Unlike its
republican predecessor, which was pretty
we'll agreed as to principles, but split up in
respect to candidates, the Democratic Con-
vention found less difficulty in uniting on
candidate than on q platform. Mr..
Tilden had got SO decided a start
Of his competitors that even the two
thirds rule did not obstruct his nomina-
ton. He had q majority of ninety-five on
the first ballot, and was triumphantly NOM
mated under the two-thirds rule on the
second the ground of preference being his
reform record, which was expected to draw
away from the republicans large part Of
the friends of Mr.. Bristow-an expectation
which has not been as well justified by the
canvass as the republican calculation that
Hayes could carry Ohio.
The platforms Of both parties were adopted
previous to the selection Of candidates, in
accordance with usage, and each was padded
.Al. &c ~laks s<,,I 1;~1
have had no influence upon the canvass.
We will insert only the points deemed i'm
portant at the time Of their adoption. The
republican platform included these declara-
tions:-
Tho permanent pacincation Of the Southern section
Of The Union and the complete protection OF all Its
citizens the freo enjoyment OF all ther rights is
duty TO which the republican party stands sacrcdy
pledged.
credit that the pledge Of Congress the
dcmpon o tho United states notes in coin be fulfilled
by steady and continuous progress TO specie pay
ments
The invariable rulo in appointments TO Office should
have reference 10 the honesty, fidelity and capacity
Of tho appontees giving the party in power the places
where harmony and vigor OF administration require
its policy 10 be represented, but permitting all
20 70 ,ne soencv Of m" nnbc
he public school system Is tho bulwark Of tho
American Republic, and wo recommend an amendment
to OF the United states forbdding the
application OF public funds 10 schools under sccaran
control
party upon the electoral vote OF united SOUTH
and wc invoke the attention Of the country 10 the
gravc truth that success thus achieved would reopen
sectional strife and mperi national honor and human
rights
The school question, from which great
deal was expected, has hardly made ripple
in the canvass, and civil service reform has
been pushed into the background by more
stirring issues. The republicans have made
the canvass revolve around two cardinal
issues-namely, the Southern question and
the financial question, giving precedence to
the former. For effect on the public mind
they selected wisely, and have really caused
great popular terment respecting what
they call united South. The democratic
platform contained larger amount of ex-
traneous and merely declamatory matter
than the republican-matter which, by ring
ing all possible changes on the word
..reform, aided the nomination Of Governor
Tilden, but was Of no service in the subse-
quent prosecution of the campaign. The
following are the points of the democratic
platform on which chief reliance has been
placed in the canvass -
Reform IL necessary to save the Union from cor.
rupt ccntralism which, alter nctng upon States
the rapaciiy of carpet bag tyranncs has honeycombc
the offices tho federal government itself with inca
paciiy waste and fraud and locked tho prosperity OF
an industrious people IN The paralysi OF hard times
We denouncc tho financial imbccy which has
made no advance toward resumption md has annually
enacted fresh hndrapccs thereto. As such hindrance
We the resumption clause Of the act OF 1875
and demand It's repeal.
Reform is necessary in the civil rervcc Eneont,
the public business s not posi-.
BILE If civil service DO subject to change At every
election
The civil service question has had no in
fuence ON either side, although this i'm
portant reform was strongly indorsed in the
letters of acceptance of both candidates.
The real battle ground was selected by the
republicans at nm early stage, with great