Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-06-01
THE GREAT CONVENTION.

meets at Chicago, tomorrow, and VIII
nominate candidates for the offices OF
President and Vice President of the
United States. A few weeks ago we
should have written, ''the convention will
nominate the next President and Vice
President" but today that fact Is by no
means certain.
There is faction in the party which
has evinced disposition to rule or rum
it. At present, this faction is champion
ing General Grant for the Presidency,
and an unknown factor for Vice-Presi-
dent. When the New York convention,
controlled by Senator Conklings intiu-
ence. and Pennsylvania, controlled by the
Cameron influence, declared for Grant,
and undertook to force all the delegates
from these States to vote for him, there
was an out-cry from all lovers OF liberty
in the party, as well as in the country
which should have been sufficient warn
mo But il was not. Senator Logan,
who had taken the contract to place llll-
moi, in the Grant column, rode rough
shod over all principle, in the convention
Of that State, and committed Its delega-
ton to Grant. In Cook County, the
Republicans opposed to Grant, organized
the regular County Convention. When
il was thus ascertained that the anti
Grant men had a majority, the Grant
men bolted, and held n separate oonven-
ton. nominating 90 Grant delegates to
the State Convention. When the State
Convention met. Grants friends had a
small majority by excluding all the dele
gates from Cook County. After organ
ling the convention, the Cook County
delegation was admitted on the basis OF
a division which still gave the Grant men
a majority. In New York and Pennsyl-
vania, the Grant men declined TO allow
any representation to minority delega-
tons. They declared that majority OF
anv convention should control Its action.
and bind all It's members. In Illinois,
they reversed this rule, by claiming rep
resentation for the Cook County Grant
element, which was in 4 minority at the
regular convention. BY this unfair action,
Illinois asks for admission to ITS dele
gates, all of whom are thus committed to
vote for Grant, upon a principle exactly
opposed to the claims which Will be made
bv the majorities from New York and
Pennsylvania.
The National Convention Will not apply
rules TO suit individual cases, as the lead
ers in these several States have done, and
as our late lamented Governor and Coun-
Gil did. in order to accomplish certain
result. If it takes such action 1t will be
worthy of no more consideration than Is
awarded TO the fusion executive depart
mcnt of Maine. ANY man nominated
bv trickery or uniairness will surely be
defeated. Thousands of Republicans,
who love fair play, liberty of action and
lust representation, will either refuse to
vote for such a nominee or Will support
his opponent.
We believe, with most of Name Re
publicans. that General Grants nomina-
ton would not be best for the Republican
party; that it would necessitate hard
fight, lacking greatly in enthusiasm, to
secure his election. However, If he be
fairly nominated by the delegates entitled
TO representation at Chicago, he will have
the hearty support Of all true Repubh-
cans, and will be elected by small ma
iority. If he is nominated by tricks and
misrepresentation at Chicago, he will be
beaten, no matter who his opponent may
be.
For the good of the party, and for the
interest OF this State, we hope and We
do believe that JAMES g. BLAINE Will be
the nominee at Chicago. His campaign
has been fairly conducted. His candi-
daey is received with enthusiasm. He is
entitled 20 the nomination, for his past
interest in. and work for the Republican
party. With him for our candidate, We
shall have an aggressive and memorable
campaign, which will terminate in a glo-
rious victory for the party. His admin
istration will be fearless, pure, and OF
such nature as to suppress the uprising
spirits of Reorganization and disorder
which are corrupting the fountains of
liberty, and tending to overthrow the
institutions of our Republic.
From the best information we now
have, we believe that Names candidate
will be nominated on the second ballot.