National Republican., 1880-06-14

cral Garfield for the presidency died away
within that modern Babel in which the work
was done, and the cannon outside had COM
menced its boom in honor of tho event. when
we were seeking transportation in its most
comfortable form, never having announced
that wo would travel on foot If Grant was not
nominated, determined to penetrate the very
heart of Iowa, which had found no voice
within her delegation in favor of tho silent
man who received tho sword of rebellion.
This seemed to be tho most desirable point fol
rest, contemplation aud recuperatou. The
republicans of Iowa had been honest,
as we count political honesty, as consistent as
deep-seated aud unressoning prejudice can
well be, and as persistent as that spirit which
had emblazoned on It's every banner ANY
thing to beat Grant could prompt TO stubborn
hatefulness. Iowa never broke the line of
her opposition to Grant throughout the whole
two days voting up to the movement when tho
stampede came and the dark horse from Ohio
was trotted into the ring but then it tapped
with the suppleness of an acrobat, and left the
plumed knight with solid plunge. Having
some admiration for pcrsstency we decided to
penetrate a state which seemed to possess
more oft to the square inch than any other
of the members of this nation of states. SO we
are here enjoying the kind hospitality of an
only surviving sister, the two of us being left
to commune over the memories of family Of
twelve, all the rest having departed for shat
bourne from whence no traveller returns" and
to whose embrace tend the footsteps Of all that
is mortal. We could not help thinking, as wo
looked down upon that seething cauldron Of
political hatred, strife and ambition, how short
time it would be before whatever might be
done by that red-hotm mass would be as nothing
to the actors. 1t is TO be hoped that
whatever of good this convention may have
done will rebound to the future welfare of the
nation, and that its mistakes, wrongs and i'll
consequences, if any are to follow may be of
short duration.
In reviewing the results of the late couven-
tion and the methods resorted to TO bring
them, ther Is much to deprecate and much TO
admire. The preliminary contest was filled
with unfortunate circumstances the deleteri-
Gus influences of which will not subsde at the
moment when the convention disperscs. There
is much that cannot be forgotten. There is
much that never should be forgiven. The
fact that the friends of General Grant should
have conceived the idea of presenting his namo
to the country for reelection, and that too
without consultation with him, gave no provo
cation or justification for the bitter crusade of
abuse and traduction that followed. The cause
of truth and justice, to say nothing Of the
amenities of politics. should have saved him
~, Ln,,
hurled at him in the interest of rival ambi-
tion. Though he may escape unframed, the
republican party has received wound that
has weakened its power, and ithad no strength
to throw away or trine with. II may be said
that this is no time to refer to the past, but it
occurs to US that it is wise and best TO look
history and its future effects upon the republi-
can party square in the face, that we may
understand the causes that have led to the
consequences we may be called upon to en-
counter in the event.
, The late convention was somewhat phenom-
enal in its character. Three great states bore
3 into that body more than sixty recreants to
party faith, who, if they had proved true to
e common honesty, would, with their incidental
r influences have fulfilled the expectations OF
: General Grants friends and placed him in
nomination on the first ballot 1t was by
such recreancy that he was beaten-and our
word for it, he and his friends can afford the
result better than those who helped to consum
mate the wrong. Then the support given 10
General Grant under the circumstances was
phenomenal. The old guard of 304 which
stood firmly by him throughout afford to The
country fine example OF political devotion
+ In all tho successive ballotings from
h. the first to the last which continued for two
!, long days, the original Grant line stood as
{ firm as q rock amid the storm without o
c break waver in its ranks, commencing with
304 and closing with 305 votes, after pro.
tracted struggle. Had all his preten ded
: friends been as true to him as these he would
I: have been nominated. This, We think, is the
r first convention in the history of this country
n which has rendered absolution to the poiti
cal traitor for violating his faith and deceivne
Q his state in the interest Of rival competitors
3 However tho end aimed at in this detection
n was not reached. Another phenomenon inter
Y posed. The same supreme power which
crowned the union army with success on the
battlefield when the clouds were thckest and
O the prospect darkest, snatched the presidential
Q. cup from the hand that anticipated its enjoy
: ment through such methods, and tendered il
= 10 another, whose life and character woult
:, never have prompted him to seek it by ilegit
innate or improper agencies. TO tins result
now every true republican exclaims amen
- But the end is not yet. The battle is no
y yet begun. We have a foe to fight now, th,
worst of whose methods have not confronted
/ us in our domestic struggle 1t will requir
IS every republican voter, orator and worker il
If the nation now to consummate the results o
v the Chicago convention in the ballot-box. Th
&c enemy is desperate. 1t is his last struggle fo
D power, if he fails now aud he knows it
@ And what is moro, every intelligent rcpubli
can knows that If democracy trumphs in thi
contest the republicans have shared their las
: victory for the next twenty-five years Now
1. the question Is with the people. Their dele
: gated wisdom ceases and it rests with eacl
. voter in the country 10 decide for himsel
!, whether or not he desires that this natol
" with its vast interests shall pass under the con
% troll of party which twenty years ago sough
q its life. This is the naked issue withou
y adornment. A. NJ. G.
X pEKSOyJI