Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-24

THEIR CALL FOR A NATIONAL CONVENTION AN
NULLED.
New YORK. Thursday, July 20, 1876
To tie Liberal RepuJlicas Of the United States:
On the 9th day of May last a meeting of the
"National Committee of Liberal Republicans
having been Only called, was held at the Fifth Av-
enue Hotel, in the City of New York Al such
meeting thirty-one States were represented Al
ter due discussion it was unanimously resolved to
hold National Convention Of Liberal Republi-
cans on the 26th day of July, 1876, in the city OF
Philadelphia, and cali for such convention was
issued to the public, reairming the platform
adopted by the Liberal Convention held in Cincih-
natl in 1872. Subsequently to this action by the
Rational Committee, and without dissenting
voice, the following preamble and resolution were
adopted:
WHEREAS, The hope is entertained by many
patriotic citizens that by their continual agitation
"within party lines" one or both of the dominant
grant all the political reformation required by the
liberal republican organization; and
WHEREAS, the Liberal party, desiring only the
public good, regardless of parties, does not favor
causeless independent action, if it shall certainly
appear that all which it seeks in the way of poti
cal publication can be as well secured through
other organizations; therefore
RESOLVED, That if, after The republicans and
the democratic conventions have been held in
June next one or both parties shall seem in the
judgment of our Chairman, Mr.. Ethan Allen, to
have responded to the principles and aims of the
Liberal republican organization, both In meas
ures and men, in that event our chairman is here
by authorized after further conference with this
committee, by proclamation to annul the call
for national convention this day ordered; but af
ter said conventions, and their action being unfa-
vorable to reform, our Chairman is empowered to
take such action in furthering the call for Lib
eral Convention this day ordered as he may deem
necessary. 80
The republican and the democratic conventions
have both been held and as commanded IN the
above resolution, have since conferred by cor
respondence with the members of the "National
Liberal Committee" and the response, which is in
entire harmony with my own views, is almost
unanimous to annul the call for the National
Convention above referred to, and to approve. in
the name of the Liberal republicans of the United
States, of the nominations of Rutherford B.
Hayes, of Ohio, for President, and of William A.
Wheeler, of New York, for Vice President.
1t is logical result of the Liberal movement,
that those who still adhere to it should at this
time cordially support Hayes and Wheeler More
decided than the platform upon which he stands,
Gen. Hayes has personally declared for civil SER
vice reform, for the return to specie payment ut
the earliest day, and for the rule of one term
only for the Presidency the latter principle
being found only in the Liberal republican
platform. The characters of the nominees
guarantee the principles they profess. If
the Liberals in 1872 sustained Horace Greeley,
who was the foremost republican of his day, be-
cause he was an unselfsh patriot and an honest
man, they must now sustain Gen. Hayes for the
same reason, and to do otherwise would be incon-
sistent action. The opposition of the Liberals"
has never been against the republican party, Of
which they formed part, but rather against those
who, unfortunately for it and the nation, had con-
troll of its destiny TO its discredit.
The good results which have been gained by
the Inauguration Of the Liberal movement of
1872, is matter of congratulation. 1t was then
that the demand for reform against existing abus-
es was first made, by those who had before acted
within the republican lines. Subsequent events
have more than confirmed the warnings of the
Liberals" then given. and have indicated their
efforts then made for national reform. Firmly
maintaining their ground for the past four years,
they have seen the independent voter" of all
parties adopt their views and at the eleventh hour
they have seen the republican party in convention
assembled, in entire harmony with the demands
of the Liberals" disregarding the machine
politicians" so called, place in nomination men
whose great distinction is that they are thorough
ly honest as we'll as capable. The conscience of
the nation, which rising above party, revolted
against the republican organization in 1872 must
now indorse this action.
The Liberal movement" will be remembered
as an evidence that when the hour demands 1t the
people are capable Of making party managers sub.
servicnt to their will. The protest. in defiance of
party discipline, originally made at Cincinnati in
1872, is proof that the citizen remains faithful to
honest discharge of his political duties, though
party leaders become corrupt.
1t only remains for me to declare, by virtue of
the authority given me as above, that the Liberal
Republicans Of the United States, through their
National Committee, approving of til. nominees of
tho Republican Party, the cali for "Natonal
Convention of Liberal Republicans to be held at
Philadelphia on the 26th day Of July, 1876, is an
nuled. ETHAN ALLEN,
Chairman Nat. Lib. Rep. Committee.