The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-02-07
PENHYLvAa1A FOR GRANT.

The Cameron clans of Pennsylvania met in
at Harrisburg on Wednesday, as
July summoned by their doughty leader, Lord
Don, and went through the Formally of regis
ering his decree that the Pennsylvania dele
cation in the Republican National Conven-
lion at Chicago shall vote for Grant and a
Third Term. Looking at the conventicle
from this distance, il reminds one of a gather
ing on South Carolina plantation in the old
en- time when the master summoned all hands
for the spring work, and cracking his whip,
assigned them in squads to their various
duties.
Persons, however, who have been accustom-
ed to regard The Cameron supremacy in Penn
sylvania as wholly complete and unquestion-
able, will be surprised to notice the many ON
inous symptoms of rebellion that manifested
themselves in this convention. OF the Pol
delegates 81 it is said met on Tuesday night
in the Blaine caucus, thus boldly taking posi-
ton against the Cameron supremacy, while OF
the oIher 100 delegates, more than half came
unnstructcd and secretly preferred Blaine 10
Grant. Before the convention came to voting
next day, however, there we're evidences OF the
use of the peculiar methods of the Camerons
20 concliate the votes of refractory delegates.
As an instance among the most noisy Blaine
delegates who came to Harrisburg was one W.
II. Armstrong of Lycoming lie was chief
spokesman in the Blaine caucus and was
counted as one of their staunchest and most
reliable men When 1t came to voting on the
resolution to instruct FOR Grant, Armstrong,
who had suddenly and strangely become quiet
in the convention, voted tor 1t! SO from Lu'
zerne and Lackawana had come Is delegates
who were for Blaine and had attended the
Blame caucus, but when the vote came on the
resolution to instruct for Grant II of the l3
voted for it While individual instances are
thus numerous where Cameron money was
apparently the main persuasive, it is also stat
cd that the resolution of instruction in favor
of Grant was only carried on the solemn assur-
ance of Cameron to the Blaine men that Grant
stood no chance of nomination at Chicago,
and that after the vote Of Pennsylvania was
cast once or twice IN his favor, the delegation
should be unanimously whipped over on to
Blaine 1t is also noted, in this connection,
that the Camerons carried the Pennsylvania
delegation against Blaine four years ago by
making the same promises, though IN the Gin
cnnati convention 1t was in tie power of the
Camerons at any time to have nominated
Blaine by keeping the promises which they
never did.
| AS it was, with all his hollow promises and
free use of money, Don narrowly escaped dis
astrous defeat The final vote on instructIng
the delegation to vote Tor Grant was carried
by bare majority OF 20 IN vote of 25l. 1t
was the narrowcst squeeze the Camerons have
had since they have set up as kings of the
Pennsylvania Republican machine, and prop
|erly understood and appreciated, should take
from the declaration OF that state in favor of
Grant all its moral force. Indeed the result
of the convention amounts TO a demonstration
that Blame and not Grant is the choice Of the
Republicans of Pennsylvania.
Yet such will not be the effect. The decla-
ration of Pennsylvania in favor of Grant Will
be followed by that Of New York. and then
will come Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa. and
they will drag with them. Illinois, Indiana
and twothlrds of the Southern states. In
point Of tact, the decision in Pennsylvania
is decisive of the outcome at Chicago The
next republican nominee for the Presidency
will be l.. s. Grant.