Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-05-13

THE LEDGER is entered at the p~ostofice al
IL MsSico, no, and admitted for transportation
through the mails at second-ciass rates.
ANTI THIRD TERM CONVENTION.
The anti third term Republicans
held a mass convention at St. Louis
on last Thursday. This assemblage
was respectable in mere point of num-
beers, but it was far more conspicuous
on account of the talent it included,
and still more worthy Of considera-
ton by reason OF the absence OF
Office holders and office seekers.
The action of this body was orderly
and dignifed, and had the unusual
merit of giving voice to the belief II
tertained by many ~far-seelng and
and prominent Republicans that the
nomination of General Grant at Chi
cago will be fatal to the success Of
their party.
The convention was brought to
order by Hon. John B. Henderson at
II o'clock, and upon his motion, MIR.
Z. G.. Hubbard of kentucky, was
called to preside over its proceedings
temporarily. In assuming the chair,
he was greeted with great applause,
and in response made a spirited
speech, of which we have room for the
following extracts only:
Gentlemen of the Convention:
For the distinguished honor of being
called to preside over your delibera
lions, allow me to return my sincere
thanks.
We have assembled as Republicans
who earnestly desire the success Of
the Republican party. If we loved
the Republican party less, there would
be no sufficient motive for the gath
ering of this vast of people.
AT a moment when it would seem
morally impossible that we should be
mistaken in the line of our duty, at a
moment when the path to success
seems SO plain and inviting, We are
threatened with a great and impend-
ing danger. In violation of a long
line Eperience, in violation of a
trad~n more sacred than law itself,
against common reason and common
sens and respectable prudence, it is
proposed to n1Rinate and elect a
man to be President who has twice
before held the same office.
To prevent the Republican party
from committing itself to this line of
policy and, if possible, to avert the
impending danger, is the mission OF
this mass convention, which repre-
sents more people than was ever be-
fore represented by a simple conveu
ton in our political history.
We do not meet to advance the in
terests of any one nan or set Of men.
We do not meet to express private
views or redress private grievances.
We have no axes to grind, neither
do we intend to turn the stone.
We voice the best sentiments upon
this question Of our own party and OF
the people who, with an opportunity
to honestly express themselves, unin-
fuenced and not controlled by the
machinery of party politics, would
with a unanimous voice and with q
common instinct say at once and for
all that no man should be elected j
third time President.
We protest against the third term
because the mar who is campaigning
through the country for that position
is of all men in it by birth, by educa-
ton and by experience the least fitted
for the office.
Two year. of a second term demon
strated his absolute incapacity to sur
round himself with men who could
administer the affairs of the Govern
ment without stealing. There was a
time in our history when the heart OF
every Republican beat with pride to
c the battle-hag planted upon the
breastworks Of the enemy, and to
hear the rustic Of flag and oriiiamme
in the breezes of victory. Every
where, in every land, and under
every sun, Ghere was a swelling chorus
in honor of the splendid success OF
that party which, in the supreme
hour of its country's peril, has kept
the faith and fought the good fight.
Two years of a second term, alas!
how changed. The sun that set and
cast its golden rays owe mountain
top and smiling valley beheld the
Republican party ruined, wrecked,
d%ishonored, bleeding at every pore e..
A single legacy was left, and that the
debatable question as to whether or
not there's ne'er an honest mar in all
Denmark but he is an arrant knave e.
Could a mar be a Republican without
being O thief !? [Hisses and Cheers.
1 am here only because l believe
that on the day when the Republican
party commits itself to a third term
and all that name implies it will sign
its W death warrant. Tremendous
applause.
After the committee on organiza-
ton had been appointed, Col. Bluford
Wilson was invited to address the
convention, and upon ascending the
platform, among other ut%terances,
that gentleman spoke as follows:
This convention is here to voice
forth, not only for itself but for the
majority of voters of the United
States, an opposition to the heresy
of a third term. No man is good
enough to be a third time President
of the United States in view of the
unselfish and patriotic example of the
founder of it. [Applause.1
We are here to warn the managers
OF this movement that they shall not
commit the great Republican party
to the signing of its own death war
rant. We are here as Republicans to
enlnsnrVSr Inalor4 Ill.,