, 1880-05-16

Information has been conveyed to THE
TRIBUNE that in case the third-termers shall
be able to secure the majority in the State
Convention next Wednesday, it is the pur-
pose Of "Long" Jones and John 4. Logan,
the managers Of the third-terln movement in
this State, to impose thiru-term instructions
upon the district delegates as we'll as the
delcgates-at-large, adopt the "unit rule" :"
and apply it to the entire State delegation.
We are not disposed to credit this state
ment, because it seems scarcely possible that
the desperation of the third-termers will
drive them to this suicidal policy. Illinois
has never yet subscribed to the State
supremacy doctrine which this program
always implies. The Republican party in
this State has never yet sought to snuff out
the sentiment Of its voters as expressed at
the district caucuses. The Congressional
districts have always been permitted to select
their delegates to the National Convention
according to the majority's preference, and
these district delegates have never been ex-
pected to vote in convention in any other
way than a majority OF their particular con-
stituencies indicate. If Senator Logan shall
emulate in this State the example set by
Senator Conkling in New York and Senator
Cameron In Pennsylvania, he will bring
down storm upon himself and the third
term movement that will do more damage
than an Iowa "blizzard'' or a Missouri
tornado. The Republicans Of Illinois have
not yet sold themselves out body and soul to
any one man, and Senator Logan will do well
hot to display any bogus bill of sale at
Springfield.
Even If the third-term managers should de-
yelop the necessary strength and inclination
at Springfield to pass instructions and nomi-
nally adopt the unit rule,'' such action will
not be considered binding by the districts,
which will proceed to appoint their dele
gates, as they have the right to do; and there
is no question but the Chicago Convention
will follow the Cincinnati Convention and
previous precedent by sustaining the right of
every individual delegate to vote as he
chooses. Hence the third-termers will
gain no advantage by resorting to
the State-soyereigpty plan Of running
the State Copyention, If they prove to
be in the majority, but they will have con-
Grmed the widespread suspicion that their
revolt against their usurpatlon that will Sc
riously endanger the chances of the Repub-
1ican State ticket. The Republican party has
higher claims than the " machine " managers
OF the third-ter1n movement, and these claims
cannot be stamped out with impunity.
The announcement of the thirtl-term pur-
pose is not calculated to aid the third-terlners
in securing majority in the State Conyen-
ton, which will only be possible by recog-
nizing boilers as having superior rights. If
the State Convention, under the whip of
!" Long" Jones & Co., shall take this unpre-
cedented course, its subsequent action will
really be of small significance; for the influ-
ance of Illinois third-tcrmers will be COM
pletely broken in the National Convention.
There is but one Of two results possible in
his State so far as the National Convention
$ commemorative: Either the National dele
gates will be divided pro rata according to
The manifestation of Republican sentiment
the State, or the DISTINGUISHING
II the anti-thlrd-term sentiment by giving |
'olters rights which no party has ever recog-
'ized will lead to contest in the National
Convention that will be fatal to the third |
erm movement. Perhaps it is in the hands |
IT the third-ter1ners to decide which of these |
wo courses shall be taken. The composition |
It the State Convention On Wednesday will |
how. But If it shall prove to be in their
'ower to decide the alternative we have in
Heated, common prudence as well as COM
non justice should prompt them to take
What they may be entitled to rather than to /
isk the loss of all their hopes.