New-York tribune., 1880-04-10
NO INDfRECT dID TO DEMOCRATS.

It is extremely desirable that cX-Presldcnu
Grant should not be nominated for third term,
for that nomination might render the success
of the party doubtful. But it is not de-
sirable to turn over the Government to the
Democrats unless the nomination of ex-Prcsi-
dent Grant can be prevented; nor is it we'll TO
lend support to movements which are calcu-
lated to cause the defeat of the Republican
party in that contingency. The Liberals OF
1872, whether they acted in all respects wisely
or not, did not commit that error. They pro-
posed to support an independent ticket, but
only one Of their own selection, and upon q
platform of their own making They did not
propose to turn over the Government to the
Democrats-it was well understood that their
candidates were nominated and supported only
upon the certainty that the Democratic party
would not try to steal into Office by nominating
party ticket. An attempt to defeat the cleo
ton of ex-President Grant, If he should be
nominated by the Republican party this year.
would be made under wholly different condi-
tons. 1t would inevitably involve, if success
full, a complete transfer of the Government to
the control of the Democratic rarty and this
THE TRIBUNE maintains, would not be right
Hence conventions called exclusively to protest
npalDSU the UOlullldtlOu VI CAL ttblutut Oluiit
if not carefully and wisely conducted, are in
danger of doing more ham than good.
For example, certain Republicans propose to
assemble at st. LOUIS at the suggestion of ex-
Senator Henderson and others, to make formal
protest against the nomination of the eX-Presi-
dent The motives of these gentlemen are
patriotic and praseworthy, and yet it will be
necessary for them to conduct their asscmblage
with great prudence and temperance, for it may
easily do more harm than good to the cause
which they wish TO aid. Certainly it would not
be wise, and THE TRIBUNE thinks il would not
| be right, for them to take any steps calculated
| to promote the success of a Democratic
| candidate, in case ex-Prcsdent Grant
should he nominated. An earnest but
temperate protest, from men who show
that they mean to support even General
| Grant if nominated, rather than Democratic
candidate, especially if based upon the ground
that his election would be difficult and doubt
full, would doubtless be needed by a National
Republican Convention. But any step calcu-
| lated TO promote the SUCCESS of Democratic
candidate Ill that event, whether directly or in
! directly, would raise doubts az to the good
| faith and sincerity of the Republicans partici-
| pating, would therefore lose much if not all of
its eff ct upon the Judgment Of other Republi-
cans, and would expose both the party and the
country to serious peril if after oil the COnven-
ton should decide to nominate General Grant.
That it will make such nomination we do not
believe But if anything could bring about
that nomination. it would be all attempt to
bully or coercc those Republicans who have
considered that course the wIsest.
Republicans ought to know that the Repubi-
can party is not easily driven. If its members
or representatives come together, in calm and
friendly consultation as to their mutual inter
ests and the interests of the country which they
hold dear, sound reasons for believing that this
or that nomination might expose the party to
defeat might there be presented with effect.
But anything that might look like an attempt
to dictate to the Convention, or to intim:da
it by threat of going over to the Democrats,
would be very likely to cause n sharp reaction
of feeling. Those who wish to secure wiser
and better nomination than that of the eX-Presi-
dent and who do not wish to promote the sue
cess of the Democratic party, will therefore
take great care to do nothing and to say moth
ing which, if their views should not be accepted
by the Republican party, would tend to secure
Democratic victory.
Let us have two things carefully distin
guished opposition to the nomination of Gen.
eral Grant, for the sake of the Republican party
and its principles, Ia one thingj opposition to