The Republican journal., 1876-05-04
The Conventions,


The Conventions.
At this time the wise eyed delegate
primes himself with resolutions for the
coming meetings at St Louis and Cincin-
natl
'Resolved to ruin or to rule the State
Last week on Wednesday, the Massa-
| chusetts republicans met in convention,
and the feeling between the Blaine and
Bristow advocates ran high The ques-
ton of positive preference was left un
settled, and instructions to the delegates
| chosen were ''omitted for harmony's sake"
it was stated, but the feeble work of this
convention, so unlike the former action OF
Massachusetts republicans, has no element
| Of independence, of courage, or Of princl-
pie in it, AS has been well said, at means
only drifting, looking for luck, cunning
manipulation, and setting the sails to
catch every wind that is blowing" On
the same day the California republicans
| came together and expressed preference
| for the nomination Of Mr.. James e. Blaine,
| but left delegates to Cincinnati uninstruct-
ed On Thursday the Arkansas republi-
| teristic of that mid-mannered state. They
declared Oliver P Morton to be their first
choice. They had much trouble with their
| .sculled brudren" who complained because
only four colored men were placed in the
| delegation to Cincinnati, which fact show
| ed poor appreciation of the bone and
sinew of the republican party Of Arkan-
| sas
Kentucky republicans meet to-day; 1t
is thought that they will declare for Bris-
tow. With thirteen anxious candidates to
choose from. still the republican party is
decidedly mixed in its preferences and
badly needs name to place on its standard
for universal following. 1t could we'll cry
out with Byron
81 want hero an uncommon want,
When every year and month sends forth new
I'LL after glowing the gazettes with cant,
The age discovers he is not the true one"
Mr. Blaine is unbecomingly active IN
trying to convince his party that he is the
much needed hero. 1t will make little
difference whether he is successful or not
on that point, for the Democratic Con-
vention to be held at St. Louis June 9th
will name the next President. After the
battle is over perhaps Mr.. Blaine will
think he has some spare time in which 70
be ''inyestigated" The people have got
tired Of supporting men whose characters
require so much careful nursing as do
those of the republican leaders.
Blaine cannot claim to hold New Hamp
shire; majority of the Vermont delega-
ton is for Bristow; and Connecticut viii
present the name of Marshall Jewell, and
will vote for Bristow on the second ballot,
if General Hawley's influence is of any ac-
count
The New York democratic convention
was held last week Some admirable re-
solutions were adopted which concluded
with an expression Of preference for the
nomination of Samuel j. Tilden to the
office of President of the United States
The delegates will cooperate with their
associates at St. Louis in taking such ac-
tion as may seem for the best interests Of
the country Horatio Seymour struck the
key note in his speech at the New York
convention, when he said with all posi-
BILE emphasis, that the great, central, vital
issue of the coming campaign is whether
the gigantic evil of corruption, for which
the republican party is wholly responsi-
BILE, shall be extirpated from the govern
ment by the complete and final overthrow
of that party. Reform is the true watch
word, to which all other questions must
be kept subordinate. Unless we can ex-
pei the virus of corruption which now in
fects the entire government, the discus
sions over finance and tariff will be all in
vain. Whoever is nominated at St. Louis
will, it is now evident, represent that
idea
The Indiana democrats met Il week
ago. and nominated the Hon. James D.
Williams for Governor-election to take
place in October. The nominee is an in
telligent farmer of spotless character, has
been member of the legislature for
many years, is connected with the state
board Of agriculture, and enjoys popu-
larity which is equalled only by that Of
very few men in his state. In 1874 he
was elected to Congress from his district
by a majority of over eight thousand
The convention paid compliment to
Gov. Hendricks, but the delegates to st.
Louis will cheerfully acquiesce in the de-
cision of the National Convention, and
contribute their full share to the triumph
of the common cause.
The Georgia and Nebraska democratic
conventions favored Mr. Tilden Louisi-
ana delegates will be guided by regard
for the common good.
Little Johnny Davenport the election
commissioner at New York in 1872, testi-
fies that there were democratic election
frauds in New York that year when his
master, Grant, was reelected No doubt.
So the president ordered money to be paid
him out of fund which he could not le-
gally touch for political wire-pulling. 1t
is easy to account for Grants pious horror