Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-28
From the New York Tribune
The Utica Convention.


The advocates Of the third-term project
controlled the Convention. Everybody
knew that this would be the case when il
was called for so early date. Their ma
jority in the body was much smaller than
they expected, howcver-so small. in fact.
that they felt obliged. as prudent politi
clans, to seek to accomplish by indirec-
ton what they had perhaps purposed to
do boldly and with strong hand. They
refraincd from instructing the delegates
to Chicago to vote for Grant; they re-
trained from adopting the unit rule; they
did not copy the Pennsylvania plan of
overriding the wishes Of the Congrcssion-
nj Districts. and forcing upon them dele
gates selected to misrepresent their views.
Perhaps they knew that they could not vi
olate the settled practice of New
York Conventions and the terms Of
the call for the National Convcn-
ton without arousing such spirit
Of antagonism a. would endanger
the success of the Chicago nominee How
ever this may be. Mr.. Conkling and his
associates in this third-term business act
ed with fairness and courtesy toward the
minority in the steps taken in making up
the Chicago delegation. Nor can any
complaint be made of the resolution ex-
pressing their preference for Gen. Grant
and pledging New York to support him.
~ far as II affects the delegates at large.
The resolution is objectionable because it
has the color il not the form of positive in
structions. and seeks to do what the Con
vcntion has no right to do--compel por-
ton of the district delegates to vote at Chi
cago against their censciences and against
the known wishes of their constituents. 1t
was the right of the majority to instruct
their delegates at large or to pledge their
vote. which amounts to the same thing.
But here the power of the Convention
stepped.
The efforts of the Grant managers did
not stop. however. They sought to make
the delegates from anti-Grant Districts
believe that they are in honor bound to ac-
cept the pledge as applying to them as
well As to the delegates at large. Some OF
these delegates are reported TO have made
the mistake Of giving in their submission
to this Interpretation OF the resolution. II
they have really done so they had better
correct their error at once. No man cho-
sen TO represent Blaine district at Chica-
60 can vote tor Grant and plead the Con-
vention's resolution in justification of his
course. unless the nomination of Gran,
should be fcregone conclusion. In case
Of contest. a delegate who disobeys the
instructions Of his district will have a
reckoning to settle with his constituents.
and will find himself instantly retired by
them from public life
The Utica Convention will be certain to
have the effect Of making the discussion
Of the Presidential question. which began
in earnest among the masses of the repub-
lican party after the snap,judgment in
Pennsylvania, more vigorous and excit-
ing. 1t is good time. therefore. to put
in plea now for moderation and good
temper. Let everybody express his mind
on the subject as freely and forcibly as he
pleases. The republican party is party
of ideas. and is never harmed by the full
est discussion of principles or candidates
But let every republican push his end of
the argument with good nature. and with
entire confidence that the Chicago nomi-
nation is going to represent the clearly
expressed wish of the majority Of the
party, and that the nominee is going to
be elected,