New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-19
N,w work. DAILY TRIBUNE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1880

TO be pcrmitted to elect as large part OF the
National delegation as they would have been
able to secure, in their own opinion, had they
not hOlted. It will be new thing ii Repuo-
lican Convention rewards in this way tactlous
minority. Those who are charged with re-
sponsbility for the welfare of the party IN
that State will think twice, and seriously, be-
fore they kindle the Indignation which such
step would naturally produce. If the claim be
granted, what folOwsf A division of the dele
CATION from the State according to the choice
of delegates who really were elected becomes
n logical necessity, if it determined to permit
division of delegates from Chicago to suit the
demands of delegates who bOlted. In that
case, General Grant will 90 into the National
Convention with divided delegation from his
own State, and the condition of the canvass Is
such that this would almost surely defeat him.
What have his supporters to gain that can COM
pensate them for risking q transfer of the State
to Democratic control through the disgust OF
injured and indignant Republican vOtersY
The delegation from Pennsylvania was in
structed to vote as a unit. But instructions or
this sort have been declared not binding or
valid by all previous Republican National
Conventions, and were 30 declared, In respect
to a delegation from the same State, by the
last National Convention. 1t is exceedingly
doubtful, in view of the recent declarations OF
many members of the Pennsylvania delegation,
whether majority of them may not wish to
cast the vote as q unit for another candidate
than the ex-President. Several OF the most
sacacious and influential members publicly
state that they think the nomination OF General
Grant would be suicidal and fatal, but they are
reluctant to separate from their associates.
Perhaps there may be no occasion. Senator
Cameron himself cannot afford to lead his party
to defeat in this crisis. and he Is no true friend
of Senator Cameron who will support him in
an error so fatal.
The representative Republicans of these
States have no right to think only of personal
preferences or personal prestige. 1t lies with
them to bring the Republican party to victory
or to ruin. They have no right to sacrifice it,
by votes which they know Will do it harm, for
the sake of any personal convenience or advan-
tage for the pleasure of friend or for PRIDE OF
locality. OF them the Republicans OF other
States have a right to demand the free and
fearless exercise of their best Judgment. II
they honestly believe that the nomination OF
General Grant, In the face of the controversy
in Illinois and the general hostility to third
term, would be dangerous to the Republican
party, they have no right to run the risk of
Democratic success for the satisfaction of any
personal feeling or interest. They are bound
to act in good faith, as sincere and patriotic
Republicans, with their friends from other
States. 1t would be an act of moral treason to
cast a vote, in such q crisis against the safety
of the Republic and the success Of the Repub-
lican party. What a spectacle it would be, If
the State of the artyr-President, Abraham
Lincoln, should so vote as to turn over the
Government to Democratic hands What
spectacle if the State of Thaddeus Stevens and
Edwin NJ. Stanton should prefer to crafty the
stubborn pride of n Cameron, even though the
net should cause the National Capitol to ring
with Confederate wells of victory