New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-25
INDICATIONS OF HARMONY.

INDICATIONS OF HARMONY.
reE MAJORITY NOT DISPOSED TO USE THEIR
STRENGTH UNDULY. AND THE MINORITY NOT
DISPOSED TO BE FACTIoUs
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNB
IJucA. N. Y. Feb 24-The Republican leaders
who are credited WITH having the control OF the
Convention just assembling would be very unwlse
10 ignore the fact of differences in in the party.
which if not irreconcilable are very marked with
regard to Presidential candidates; they would be
still more lacking in wisdom if they did not in
view if their assured majority and the absolute
certainty of their being able to carry out
their purposes in the Convention, take special
Mains to avoid all action that may lead to
disagreements wrangng and collision. think
they sufficiently appreciate this position OF affairs
to conduct themselves with prudence and dlscre-
tjon and refuse to take any chances to stir up bad
blood
II is plain enough to the most casual observer of
current politics that the Democrats desire the NOM
ination of the ex-President by their opponents In
the belief that he is the weakest of the candidates
named. 1t is true, on the other band, that large
number of delegates to the Convention believe
him to be the strongest and most available. THIS
difference of opinion runs through the Convention
as well, and the Democratic view is shared by
large portion of the Republican party.
The strength of the ex- President is certainly not
so great that his friends can afford to take any
chances to 90 into canvass with HIM as the candi-
date except with the party harmonious and united
behind him. They have, to all appearances, gained
their pont in this State in securing the State Con-
yention. The question now is whether they will be
contented with this and will conduct themselves
with such reasonable self-restraint and moderation
as will insure the results they aim at. Democrats
are saving: We have had our quarrels and fought
1r IN harm orIza fOr fItp
Presidential campaign. Our troubles are pretty
much over; but yours only just begun" Their
hopes are first, that Grant will be nominated; and
second that his supporters will carry his nOmna-
tion with so high a hand and disregard Of the op-
position as to make bolt probable.
With greater appearance of harmony than is
nsual ON the eve of Convention, it is still not diff
cult to see that verys slight circumstance might
upset it ALL aud not only stir up disafection in the
Convention but imperil the State in the election.
The circumstances of the case are such that COM
promise Is not easy. The Grant men have the Con-
yention; they can do with it pretty much as
they please. 1t is their desire, of course, TO
give their candidate the full vote of the State as
plumper. They have the power to so order the acts
of the Convention as to effect this. If the nOmna
ton were an election, they would undoubtedly use
their power to this end and no one would dispute
their right to do it or the wisdom Of the act; but
the action of the Convention is only the begin
ming of the business and it has to take care
lest it overdO the matter at the ontsct
O such degree as to jeopardze the result, and In
the end nullify all its work.
The third-ter advocates are not only strong in
numbers but unusually strong in the character and
Influence of their delegates. Senator ConkDg
leads them of course, aud with him are such
men as ex-Ministers StoughtOn and Pierrepont,
Distrct-Attorney Phelps General Woodford and
Others while the opposition is weakened by the alb
sence of George W. Curtis. who for so
MANY years has been q prominent figure in
State Conventions. Should the friends of the ex-
President disposed to press their advantage to
an undue extent either the choice of dele
gates by the districts In the passage of resolutions
of instruction to the delegates to Chicago there
will be strenuous opposition on the part of tho
minority. and the possibility of serious disturb
auce Of the harmony of the delIbsrations but from
present appearances there exists such purpose in
the minds of The majority.
There is no doubt think, that the latter will
press the passage of resolutions giving expression
to the feeling IN favor of the nomination of the
exPresident that there will be no doubt as to the
preference of the Convention. To tins the
minority will not, probably make any factious OPP
position though they viii naturally insist upon the
right to put themselves record against
it, The minority. indeed, are not at ali dis
posed TO be unreasonable. They accept
the situation with resignation. if not cheerfulness,
and will not oppose any action by the majority ex-
cent such as seems likely to deprive them of the
voice and influence which their districts are fairly
entitled to.
Iti,a very thin line upon which the Convention
will have to work-thc majority anxious to take all
they are fairly entitled to without giving the
minority serious offence, and the minority equally
strenuous to bold all that fairly belongs TO them and
have OF their rights invaded. All tho indica.
tions at this moment point to harmonious result.
The majority have no diDositon to be unjust, nor
the minority to be factiou. l.. d.