The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-02-18
THE HARRISBURG CONVENTION.

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burg is nne Of those victories that are
said to he worse than defeats. When
a Republican convention in The Sec
ond state in the Union Instincts il
delegates for Grant by vote of 1873 to
ll3, the bottom may be said to have
dropped out of "the tremen dous pop
ular enthusiasm" Of which we have
heard so much, and that carefully
worked up humbug vanishes into the
thinest of thin air. An ordinary can
didate could afford to be content with
bare majority of 90, but Grant is not
an ordinary candidate. Not only is
he weighed down with the scandals of
his eight years. Observation-Disclosures
daIs which produced formidable re-
volt in his party-bnt lie is endeavor
ing to overturn and override prece
deaf which Washington and Jefferson
established, and which hus heretofore
beeu considered not less sacred than
the organic law Of the land. Thus en-
numbered his chances of success in the
presidential race are at best but small,
and if to enter the race at all he is OBJ
liged to bring discord into the Repub-
lican ranks, these chances disappear
altogether aud he is beaten III adj
vance. The third term movement
originated in the ides that Republicans
were practically unit in favor Of it,
and that Grant could not consistently
refuse to yield to the unanimous pres
sure; a pressure which satisfied him in
doing what none of his predecessors
had ventured to do. Twenty major
ity in Pennsylvania pricks the bubble
of falseiiood, and reveals the real truth
of the matter, which is, that to nomi
nate a third term candidate ut Chioa.
go he must be literally rammed down
ZIG purity turoat'
Now while there 10 no sort Of dnnbt
that Grant strongly desires the nomi.
nation, and from the day he left the
executive chair has arranged all his
plans with . view Of returning to it;
yet perhaps he is wise enough to know
that he cannot afford to scramble far
the covetous prize, even if absolutely
surc of obtaining it: 1t would he sui
citlal folly in him to descend into the
political arena and eight for ticket in
the presidential lottery. If he drew
the piize it would lose half it's value
In his own and the worlds estimation,
and II he did not draw it his repnta
ton would suffer irreparable injury.
Such at least ia the opinion lately ex-
pressed by some of his most intimate
and nns-ifish friends, and We will as
sumo that he agrees with them. but
we may be entirely mistaken, and IL
very few days will decide the rnes.
tim. If with tho result nf the Penn
sylvania convention before him
Grant still allows his name to he used
the case will he perfectly clear. and
Democrats may prepare to enjoy the
Republican circus-aml very large
and lively circus it promises to be-
Hitherto the anti third term Rrpub'i
cans have had no rallyinS point, aud
apparently no disposition to rally.
Bnt the battle mt Harrisburg, by dis.
playing the latter in unmistakable
form, has provided the former. The
hundred and Thirteen anti third term
ers there will crystal'ze tho opposition
everywhere, give it pith and purpose,
ioud voice ana! q strong arm. Those
who have been backward in coming
forward will draw courage from this
example, and not only step boldly tn
the front but make themselves felt a.
well as heard. But we trust that Tire
change Of "the boom" into q boone
rang will not entirely destroy the
third term programme. We trust that
Grant will not be frightened off the
track, and that in every Republican
state convention the machine may op,
crate as nicely as it did in Pennsyva
mia, and phil him through "by the Skin
of his teeth, Leaving Chicago to cal
the climax in the same fashion. Thef
the people will have an opportunity tt
sit down vigorously upon third-term
lam and all the other olorons "isms'
which attach to Grant; and that thi
opportunity will be promptly and sat
isfactorily improved, is about as Ger
tain as anything in the future can be
Cameron and his clan are entitled t.
the thanks Of every Democrat, for tn,
Pennsylvania performance-if Gran
will only stick ENSURES Democrat,
success next November.-[St. Loui
Republican, .tGs
"OLp RELIABLE."-There are ma