The Morning herald., 1876-02-25
WILMINGTON, FEBRUARY %, 1875.
THE ST. LOUIS CONVENTION.

1s-,--
THE ST. LOUIS CONVENTION.
The St. Lonis Democratic Convention
which assemblies at St. Louis on the 9th
day of June, will be one Of the most I'M
portant to the party that has yet been held
since thh political supremacy Of the Re,
publican party. 1t is we'll known that the
ranks Of the Reeablicans are disjo;nted.
They have had great many b!unders OF
leaders to repair, which with the Utmost
exertion can only be partially done, Tor
they were of 50 serious nature as to jar
the whole country and render irretiievaol'.
the reputation of the party that they de-
spoiled. 1t plumed itself with the feathers
Of victory in having secured to the colored
man his freedom ard giving to him the
privileges and rights Of suffrage This
endeared the party to the colored man and
won the confidence Of the North. In the
leaders were reposed trusts such as were
never before given party leaders. But the
Republican party, in war and out Of war
has proven as differently as though Of
opposite political views. This was pre-
judged by Mr.. Seward even during the
war, when he declared in effect that al.
thou n thorough and able to grasp with
the terrible emergencies Of war, another
party in peace would be more capable to
govern and rule.
1t has been practically seen that Mr..
Seward was correct in his predictions and
they have become so literally true as to
more definitely declare the character ofthe
party than anything that has yet been
written or said. Gloating over the success
Of the issue be-. .7een the North and South,
it las carried Ihe effect of generalization.
and permeates all portions, rank and file
Of the Republican party. The con.
fdence of the people has been abused
most shamefully. Constitutional right has
been matter of only sufficient impor.
auce to be considered, as far es it did not
retard laws made for party purposes; and
honesty only to be gi7en thought if there
wass.no reason to fear detection. Public
Offices have been made the hospitals in
which to fatten the depleted pockets of
party leaders, and the whole civil service
Of the nation put under the control Of
political men to be used as reward for polit-
ical service done the party. Who can
view the history Of this party since it came
into power, and point out another that has
had such terrible arreignments? With
foreign ministers, cabinet officers, congress
men, senators, and the most intimate
friends Of the President, all mixed up in q
1nuddle of the blackest corruption, certain.
~ verify the truthfulness Of Mr.. Seward
assertion, and a~ait only the decision Of
it fall from the great arbitrator that mus
speak honestly in the next election--tht
ballot box.
The importance Of the peZt Nationa
Convention Of the Democratic parry over
others that have been held since the wa
ia easily seen. Those who are sent ther
from different States will have a gray
res. onslbility resting upon them. The.
mus: choose a man Of broad liberal views
who represents the people and not have tn
contracted view that the few must have
the preference over the many without an.
consideration Of the cops;itut;cnaiity o
acts, or The sacrifice Of coun:sy's good an
the peoples welfare.
We want representative man, and nc
the man for the few. Such man the S
Louis convention must select and the bolle
will decide the rest.
The currency question will not be 4,
leading one, nor the party shibbolcth.
is One Of course Of great interest, but
will neither divide tie party men nc
lead to the di5.en3ions that are so muc
hoped for by the opposing party. It vi
take natural course and receive prope
thought, but will not form the dividi1
line in Tic selection Of candidate f(
Presidency.