National Republican., 1877-09-28
THE ROCHESTER, CONTENTION
The part which GroRar WILLIAM Cunr1s

THE ROCHESTER, CONTENTION
The part which GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
took in the New York convention was
highly creditable 10 him, and will add
vastly to his reputation as an able aud eff
cicnt advocate Of sound political principles.
The speeches which he made in that meet
ing are not only admimble specimens Of
polished rhetoric, but also abound with
evidences of profound thought and a
thorough acquaintance with the political
history Of the nation. The remedies which
he suggests for tho evils the country is suf
fcring from display philosophic knowledge
Of the Causes which have produced them.
While other prominent men were guilty of
follies In that convention which can only
bring discredit upon them, Mr.. CuRTis
gained fresh honoH for name already
illustrious
The position which the Republicans Of
New York took through majority of the
recent convention was truly anomalous
The President has been faithful TO tho
principles of the platform upon which he
was elected. and yet professed party con-
vention refused to commend the leader who
has fulfilled his pledges. The convention
refused to endorse the Administration
which the Republican party brought into
power Why this extraordinary action ?
What vow has Mr.. HAYES failed TO keep
What principle Of the platform upon which
he was elected has he contemned? We
look in vain for open and direct charges
that Mr.. HAYES has not been true to the
doctrines Of his party. The innUendoes
which the quotations from his letters are
intended to imply are too cowar,lly for
notice. The talk about tho Presidents
order DISTINGUISHING Federal officials is ri
diculous in the light of the past history of
New York conventions, which have for
years been packed by the cristom-house
gang" Better disfranehisc few officials
than the entire mass of the people.
We arc glad that the machine politicians
who controlled the New York convention
saw proper to disclose their hostility to the
principle OF excluding offict holders from
the active management of political affairs.
Their action raises an issue in which the
people have q practical interest. For years
they have found themselves shut out from
any fair share in the control of party sf-
fairs. The party organization has been
mere instrumentality for advancing the pro-
fcssional politicians, while the people we've
graciously allowed to do the voting by
which the leaders were to he kept in power.
In regard to the Southern question we
believe with Mr.. Curtis that the true Re-
publican party is u national party and
union party. AS he well says, the peace Of
nations and the integrity of nations can
only he maintained by mutual confidence
and mutual respect. 1t is especially true
that in republican form of government
unity of sentiment between different Sec
tions il matter of the utmost importance
since sectional auimositics pcrpetually tend
To dsintcgratc the nation. The evils which
this country has already suffered from see
tionalism have been enormous, but they
were to some extent unavoidable. No real
cause for parties founded upon geographical
differences now exists. No party can
flourish which is founded upon such narrow
minded prciudices as those to which the
opponents OF the Presidents Southern policy
appeal.
If there was any one thing which this
country needed at the time Mr.. HAYES was
inaugurated it was the pacifcation of the
South. The policy of armed intcrven-
tion which had been persevered in for
years had produced only disorder and
bloodshed. The President by the with
drawal Of the troops brought about such
peace there ~ has not prevailed since before
the war. Tho fruits of that policy are its
own commendation. When were the rights
of the colorrd men better respected than
to-day? How long has il been since there
was such loyalty to the Union in the South
AZ now prevails there? What spectacle
could be more reaSsurinQ than to see q
Republican President received with such
popular enthusiasm in the old slavc-holding
States OF Kentucky, Tennessee, Gcorgia and
Virginia?
The New York convention has appealed
TO the country against the President. We
have no fears rs to the result of that appeal
because we believe that he will be over
whelmingly sustained We are sorry that
the New York convention so sadly mistOok
the temper OF the people. II is evident that
that assembly was made vehicle for vent
ing the p. rsOnal venom of men like Mr.
PLATT, who was offended because he wa,
not given n sent in the Cabinet. Tho speecl
with which he opened the proceedings o
that convention shows that it WAS fortu
nate thing for the country that man cap0
BILE of such malignant action rs Mr.. PLAT
was not selected for such u responsible
position as that Of Cabinet member.
That party occupying the position which
the Republicans OF New York have beer
placed in by their convention should bs
successful is not TO he expected, especially
in these times. when allegiance to party ha,
been 80 weakened by the practical settle
mcnt of all the Issues which divided the olr
parties. New York is naturally Republi
can State by considerable majority
HAYES had been heartily indorse,l by tn
convention, the Republicans would un
doubtedly have been able to carry the Stat
this fall With the platform upon whcl
they now stand the case is hopeless.
SENATOR BOGI'S SUCCESSOR.
These are the times in which new de
partures In politics are in order. Whc
President HAYES rusc above party by ~
pointing that sterling statesman, DAVID y
KEY, Postmaster General, the act was con
mended by all true patriots aS wise an
cxpedient. II indicated liked d"tcrmin,
tion upon the part Of the President 10 T.
establish the reign OF peace and good wi
throughout the land The event has prove
that he judged wisely tor that arpointmer
has been accepted Us n token of his goC
intentions, and has awakened in The SOul
sentiments OF loyalty which had long slun
bered.
The ordeal which n portion of the pFr.