New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-06
THE REPUBLICIY CONFERENCE.

If any Republican doubted or feared
before, he cannot doubt or fear now. The
Conference of Republican leaders held in this
city Yesterday was one of the most en-
phatic proofs ever given of the unity
was one of the most remarkable bodies
of representative men that has ever gathered
in this country in Presidential can
vass In tins respect it was handy
inferior even to National COnven-
ton, for the foremost men OF party
are usually present in National con-
vention only as candidates, not
as delegates whereas this notable
gathering of Republicans included ut
least two of the most conspicuous candidates
before the Chicago Convention The long
lists of distinguished names printed in our
columns to-day show how truly representative
the Conference was, bow wen it embodied the
best aspirations, the highest intelligence, and
the greatest political skill Of the party, and
how easily it reconciled all differences
of opinion. The mere fact that
such number of such men could
be called together from all quarters Of
the Union three months before the election
the candidate who was nominated over the
heads Of some Of them, was, in itself, re-
markable demonstration Of the unselfish
enthusiasm which auimates all sections OF the
party, and a splendid augmy of the success
which ought surely to follow such earnest
and devoted work.
The subject which this assemblage cOnsid-
cred with serious care furnishes "a strange
a. ,.ftI
call for "a full vore free ballot and fair
count" This company Of number Of
the most distinguished men in public
life had met chiefly to debate the question
whether il was worth while for the
Republican party to attempt TO make a
campaign or get any votes in five South
ern States, where every intelligent man
knows they have an actual majority Of
the voters. This was the gist Of the
mattor-whether in view Of the GER
taintv that the Democrats of the South
would murder, if it was necessary to murder,
whip and intimdate, if 1t paid better to
intimidate, and stuff the ba!ot-boxes
and cheat in the counting, if stafiing and
miscounting were just as elfcacious and
much easier-whether in view OF these
political certainties it was worth while
for the Republican party to make fight for
existence. That such conference should be
held for such a purpose, under a republican
form of government, is as grOtesquc a thing
as was ever seen in the days of slavery.
The undisputed leaders of the body
were Senator Blaine, Secretary sherman, and
Senator Logan, all of whom made most adj
mirable impressions by their addresses
and general bearing. Senator Blaine
made an ugly hole in General Han
cocks armor when he pointed to the
fact that the Democratic candidate was
the only great soldier he had ever heard of vino
seemed to be ashamed of his success in war,
as the recent letter of acceptance showed,
though without intending it, Senator Blaine's
words will make General Hancocks ears
Jingle.
General Garfield Las produced a splendid
impression upon all who meet him of manliness,
sincerity, directness, and at the same time
of great power. The result of all this
will be a great impulse to the party,
which was never before so well organ
lied, never before so harmonious at
this stage of the canvass, perhaps never at
any stage.