The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-08-29
Our New York Letter
The New York Republicans and THAR
Work-A Nomination Fit 10 he MADE.
The Spectacular Drama of Democratic
Reform-senaior ConkIing, Mr.. Cornell
and Gov. Morgan.
New York Aup. 26. 1877,

New YORK Aug. 26, 1876,
Our Republican State Convention has done
the best and wisest thing possible in its selec-
ton OF candidates and in its declaration of
principles. 1t is probable that there is not a
man in the party whD could command as many
votes as Ex-Gov. Morgan. The range of selec-
tlon was extremely limited. The nomination
OF Mr. Cornell would have been inexpedient
because through his devotion to his political
principles he has provoked some antagouisms
tnat IL is just as well not to encounter at this
Juncture OF affairs. The nomination of Mr..
Evarts would have been equally iniudiclous,
Tor the reason that his Identification with Re-
publlcanism has not been sufficiently clear and
inalienable to entitle him to the hearty SUD.
port of the faithful and steadfast members of
the party. The former would have carried
with him the whole strength of the organiza-
tion (slang name 'machine'') but was threat
ened with the loss of the stragglers who, hav-
ing no fixed opinions on political subjects, are
very apt to be swayed by public clamor, and to
vote capriciously and without any definite idea
for whom or for what. Their highest ambi-
tion is to float with the current If they see IL
setting against man they do not trouble them
L
be impelled so long as they drift along with It.
They are not numerous; they possess very
little influence; but in state like New York
where there are between eight and nine hum
dred thousand electors and parties pretty evenly
divided, each side feels the need of catering to
any body, great or small, who can cast ballot
| Consequently these nondescripts have been
| prodigiousy coddled Of late years. They have
| been complimented on their courage and flat
tered by being styled independent voters,
| and by various arts wheedled into the notion
that it is the very acme of intelligence and
| patriotism to halt between two opinions"
without strength of mind to form any.
Well, it happens this year that there is more
disposition than ever to cotton to this element,
| whether wisely or not time will determine.
But at any rate the fashion runs that way for
the nonce, and it would be folly to oppose it.
The true policy is to guide and direct it so that
it may not degenerate into positive craze
Keenly alive to the emergency the unfalter-
ing Republicans of the Empire state held con-
| troll of the convention with determination to
maintain the jasts niieu, which would enable
them to prevent any mistake being made. To
have nominated Cornell would have simply
secured the regulars at the risk of losing the
stragglers. To have nominated Evarts would
have been to court the stragglers viii the GER
tainty OF dissatisfyiDg the regulars And mas
much as there are at least ten regulars to one
| straggler, the game would have been desper-
ate one at best. 1t became necessary therefore,
to choose candidate who had never wavered
IN his allegiance to his order and yet was en-
l iroIu obi Il L.
tion, conservatism and popularity. There
were but two men named who completely met
| the requirement, Ex-Governor Morgan and
Andrew D. White. 1t was certain from the be-
ginning that one of these two must receive the
suffrages of the convention. As the
former had the advantage of experience
and was equally acceptable in every 9th
er respect, his nomination evinced the
wisdom and foresight Of the delegates
He will poll the full strength Of the organiza-
tion, and if he cannot carry the State il may be
taken for granted no Republican could.
For twenty years the party has Eever been van
quished when the whole vote was cast, exceptin in
1868 when it was overwhelmed by the gigantic
frauds of the Tammapy cabal Tilden owed
his election in 1874 to the fact that about fifth
| The Democratic state ticket succeeded last
year by about l14,O 900 majority from the same
cause. The Republicans carried both branches
of the legislature without any extraordinary
effort, and if the canvass had been at all spir-
tied they could easily have elected their gener-
al ticket. There was some doubt among the
leaders as to the expedency of doing So The
Governor was riding his hobby of canal ere
form" and it was thought a good idea to give
him free rein and clear road. The result has
vindicated the sagacity of that policy. The
people have had chance to see how little
practical good is ever wrought by spasmodlc
| and snowy demonstrations of reformatory pur-
| pose particularly when they are made with the
palpable intent to abet the political ambition Of
an Individual. The whole thing flashed out and
| left as little sign as piece of holiday fire.
| works. Precisely the same result would come, II
| by any mischance, the grand spectacular drama
of Democratic reform" were to be acted before
che national foot lights. 1t is purely show
performance and the characters in it would hur-
ry to disrobe as soon as the green curtain
dropped upon the scene, to reappear in their
| ordinary costume at the treasurer's Office
when pay day came.
| The notion thst the action of the State Con-
| vention has been in any sense defeat of, or
| disappointment to, our eminent Senator is
grotesque absurdity. A large majority of the
| delegates were immovable in their fidelity to,
and confidence in, Senator Conkling. They
would have been as little likely on the score Of
friendship to him, as of regard for the integri-
| ty of the party to, have selected candidate Of
whom be did not approve. Gov. Morgan
would under no circumstances have accepted
the nomination if he had been in any doubt of
the Senator's cordial support. He is altogether
too shrewd man to make that mistake. He
knows there would not be the smallest chance
of his election without Mr.. Conkling's power
full aid. Althoughshe refrained, with charac-
teristic dignity and self respect from the slight
| est participation in the selection of delegates,
or in any act which had even the appearance of
seeking the position, he frankly stated at the
outset that he would not run unless it was
clearly understood that the movement had the
unqualified concurrence of Mr.. Conkiing The
Senator was placed in somewhat embarrass-
ing predcament by the aspirations of Mr..
Cornell That gentleman had claims upon
him arising out of consistent and unselfish
| auVOCdCy OI IonS stdnulnR, WHICH appealed
strongly to his chivalry and magnanimity.
These are qualities with (which he is supera-
bundanty endowed. He would rather have
sacrificed his whole political future thanito
have done anything that had the least appear
ance of iDgratitude. Consequently the mo
ment he learned that Mr.. Cornell had deter
mined to compete for the nomination, he felt
under moral obligation to acquiesce. He was
absent from the State-attending to absorbing
official duties at the Capitol-there was small
opportunity for consultation, none whatever
for more tangible interference. He did not re-
turn until the delegates had. been chosen. Then
he discovered that majority of them preferred
Gov. Morgan. Politically 1.-The latter was Just
as acceptable to him as Mr.. Cornell Both
were delegates to the National Convention;
both voted for him as a Presidential nominee,
first, last, and every time, till the final ballot
brought about concentration on Gov. Hayes.
Both had stood by the Republican party mau-
I'LL - =