The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-04-24
No Indirect Aid to Democrats.

the party doubtful. But it is no
desirable to turn over the Govern
ment to the Democrats, unless tht
nomination of ex-President Gran
can be prevented nor is, it well Il
lend stlpport 70 movements WlsicI
are calculated to cause the defeat o
the Republican party in that contin
gency. The Liberals of 1872, whether
they acted in all respects wisely OF
not, did not commit that error. They
proposed to support an independent
ticket, but only one of their own
selection, and upon a platform OF
their own making. They did not
propose to turn over the Government
to the DemOcratS-it was well under
stood that their candidates were
nominated and supported only upon
the certainty that the Democratic
party would not try to steal into
office by nominating a party ticket.
An al tempt to defeat the election of
ex-Prcsident Grant, if he should be
nominated by the Republican party
this year, would be made under
W OILY different conditions. 1t would
inevitably involve, if successful, a
complete transfer of the Government
to the cOntro. of the Democratic par
ty. and this would not be right,
Hence conventions called exclusively
to protest against the nomination of
ex- President Grant, if not carefully
and wisely conducted, are in danger
Of doing more harm than good.
For example, certain Republicans
propose to assemble at st. Louis. at
the suggestions of ex-senator Hen
derson and others, to make formal
protest against the nomination of the
eX President. The motives of these
gentlemen are patriotic ard praise
worthy, and yet it will be necessary
with great prudence and temperance,
for il may easily do more harm than
good to the cause which they wish to
aid. Certainly it would net be wise'
for them to take any steps calculated
to promote the success of a Demo.
cratic candidate, in case eX- President
Grant should be nominated. An
earnest but temperate protest, from
men who show that they mean to
support even General Grant if nomi
mated, rather than a Democratic can
didate, especially if based upon the
ground that his election would be
difficult and doubtful, would doubt
less be needed by a National Repub>
lican Convention. But any step
calculated to promote the success of
a Democratic candidate in that event.
whether directly or Indirectly, would
raise doubts as to the good faith and
sincerity OF the Republicans partici-
pating, would therefore lose much if
not all of its effect upon the iudg.
ment of other Republicans. and would
expose both the party and the coun.
try to serious peril If after all the
Convention should decide to nomi.
nate General Grant. That it will
make such a nomination we do not
believe. But if anything could bring
about that nomination, it would be
an attempt to bully or coerce those
Republicans who have considered
that course the wisest.
Republicans ought to know that
the Republican party is not easily
driven. If its members or represen-
tatives come together, in calm and
friendly consultation as to their mu-
tual interests 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 intimidate it by
threat of going over to the Demo
Gratis, would be very likely to cause
n sharp reaction of feeling. Those
who wish to secure a wiser and better
nomination than that of the ex. Pres
ident. and who do not wish to pros
mote the success of the Democratic
party, will therefore take great care
to do nothing and to say nothing
which, if their views should not be
accepted by the Republican party,
would tend to secure Democratic
victory.
Let us have two things carefully
neutrality-suspicious. to the nom.
ination of General Grant, for the
sake of the Republican party and its
principles, is one thing; opposition