Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-02-18
CONFENTS OF THE PRESS.
A VIRTUAL VICTORY.
fphiln Press Eah !

Harrisburg convention are compared
with the result the contrast is ludi-
crous. 1t was called at an unusual
time and on short notice, with the
avowed purpose of making a unani-
nous declaration of Pennsylvania in fa-
vor of third term nomination of Pres
ident Grant. Those who called the con-
vention had general possession of the
machinery of County Committees, and
| trained bands of officials to help create
public sentiment and elect delegates.
All advantages were in favor of the
movement. Pride of State was appealed
to the distinction in leadership which
it would give was glowingly painted :;
personal and public considerations
were freely piled, and in ordinary cir
cumstances this powerful combination
would have been successful. 1t has
wholly failed because the people,
touched in a most tender point and
reused by the dangers which the situ-
alton exposed, baffled the well-laid
plans
This convention, called to make
Grant the next Republican candidate
for president, has unmade him as such !;
it was intended to promote his inter-
ests. but it has overthrown them in
tended to be made the means of stiff
ing the popular will, but it has become
the voice of the people; intended to
build up the varied schemes which it
was called to consolidate, but it has
swept them with bosom of destruct-
ion, and strewed with wrecks the
scene of it's meetings The contest was
fierce one, and the anti-Grant leaders
deserve great praise for the courage,
skill and effect with which they waged
it. The few timid men among them
were quickly sent to the rear. Bolder
spirits took their places. Plausible sug-
gestions, which were cunningly made,
but which gave away their whole case,
were secuted, and policy entered
upon which was intended to assert
their parliamentary rights and to force
to the severe test of a yea-and-nay
vote the threatened Endorsement of the
"third term" A few men fell by the
way, who were tripped by temptations,
caught by power or decoyed by blan-
nishment. Powerful influences brought
to bear during last Tuesday detached
several men from their duty and their
instructions but all did not avail to
stem or turn the current which car
ried the convention fiercely forward to
its work, and all observent politicians
admit that the Grant movement has
met ats Waterloo.
The debate of the afternoon was an
mated and searching. The most strik-
ing speeches were those of Stewart, of
Franklin, Moreland, of Allegheny, and
Wolfe, of Union. The former was de-
voted to the proposition that the con-
vention had no right to elect delegates
to the Chicago convention in disregard
of the power of the representatives OF
the districts in this convention. The
only reply made to his argument was
a conclusive vote of the majority ex-
pressing their purpose to elect whom
| they pleased. Moreland of Allegheny
made an effective speech in endorse
ment of Grant instructions, and Wolfe
an equally vigorous arraignment OF
the policy Koontz of Somerset mar
red the force of his argument by per-
sonal illusions to Senator Cameron,
and Herr of Dauphin weakened his by
apparent inability to come a point.
Gen. Albright's plea against instruc-
tions was effective except as he injured
it by detaching it from the third-term
question. Gen. Bingham's discussion
in mysterious way, of possibilities
which might have flowed from differ
ent line of policy by the minority OF
the convention, attracted attention
during it's delivery but led to no result
Mr.. Harvey, of Clinton, and Mr.. Dar-
lington, of Chester, gave expression to
the feeling of their constituents, and
vigorously resisted the Grant move.
ment Mr. Strang's motion, which
brought the convention to direct vote
on the candidacy of Senator Blaine
was personal act, and, as be stated,
was induced by desire to place on the
record some delegates under Blaine
instructions who were lodging. He
declined to withdraw it. Among those
who voted against it were some of the
strongest Blains men in the conven
tion, who were opposed on principle tc
instructions for anyone. This class
joined the other wing of Blaine men il
swelling the negative vote on the
Grant instruction to one hundred ant
thirteen. Philadelphia voted steadily
for Grant instructions, though but one
member of the delegation is known tC
be for him. The others so voted, no
meaning it, because they were un
willing to leave Senator Cameron in {
hopeless minority in the convention.
Could a vote have been obtained
free from all personal influence and en-
tanglement the Grant vote would have
scarcely exceeded thirty. If a conven
tion can prove anything, this ont
proves the entire absence of rea
strength in the third-term movement
Its failure is utter.
BETTER THAN WAS EXPECTED.
Commercial Gazette.
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