The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-09
N. Y. Tribune.l
The Republican Conference.


If any Republican doubted OF feared before,
he cannot doubt or fear now. the Conferences
OF Republican leaders held in this city yester-
day was one of the most emphatic proofs ever
given of the unity and energy of great party.
1t was one Of the most remarkable bodies of
representative men that has ever gathered in
this country in Presidential canvass In this
respect it was hardly inferior even to Ma
tional Convention. for the foremost men of
party are usually present in a National Con-
vention only as candidates, not as delegates;
whereas this notable gathering of Republicans
included at least two of the most conspicuous
candidates before the Chicago Convention.
The long list of distinguished names printed
in our columns to-day show how truly repre-
sentative the Conference was, how we'll it en-
bodied the best aspirations. the highest intelli-
gence, and the greatest political skill Of the
party, and how easily it reconcilsd all differ
ences 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 to consider the best meth
ods for electing the candidate who was nomin-
ated over the heads of some of them, was, in
itself, a remarkable demonstration of the un-
selfish enthusiasm which animates all sections
OF the party, and splendid augury of the sue
cess which ought surely to follow such earnest
aud devoted work.
The subject which this assemblage consid-
cred with serious care furnishes a strange COM
mentary upon General Hancock's loud call for
"a full vote, free ballot and fair count" This
company of a number Of the most distinguished
men in public life had met chiefly to debate the
question whether it was worth while for the
Republican party to attempt to make a cam
paign or get any votes in five Southern States,
where every intelligent man knows they have
an actual majority of the voters. This was the
gist OF the matter-whether in view Of the GER
tainty that the Democrats of the South would
murder, II it was necessary to murder, whip
and intimidate, if it paid better to intimidate,
and stuff the ballot boxes and cheat in the
counting. If stufing and mscounting were Just
as etficacious and much easier-whether in
view OF these political certanties it was wortl,
while for the Republican party to make a fight
for existence. That such a conference should
be held for sucha purpose, under republican
form OF government, Is as grotesque thing as
was ever seen in the days of slavery.
The undisputed leaders of the body were
Senator Blaine, Secretary Sherman and Sena-
tor Logan, all of whom made most admirable
impressions by their addresses and general
bearing. Senator Blaine made an ugly hole in
General Haneock's armor when he pointed to
the fact that the Democratic candidate was the
only great soldier he had ever heard of who
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 Hancock's ears tingle.
General Garfield has produced splendid i'm
preston upon all who meet him Of manliness,
sincerity, directness, and at the same time of
great power. The result of all this will be
great impulse to the party, which was never
before so well organized, never before so har-
monious at this stage of the canvass, perhaps
never at any stage. fa-. BE-