Year: 1872

to shape the probable future. Unless
it is presumptious to have opinions at
all, it will not be considered arrogant
to declare them.


THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION.
1t seems to have occurred to some that
| am bound, by some sort of obligation,
to support the nominations of the Gin
cinnati Convention, by reason of hav-
ing Joined in its call and having partic-
ipated in its proceedings.


recognize no conclusive obligation
of that description, binding the con-
duct of citizen in reference to any po-
litical convention. There are, of course
obligations of good faith growing out
of all voluntary relations between men,
but they must always be held subordin-
ate to the higher obligation which every
man owes to what he believes to be the
cause of truth and the public good.


But even the obligations usually rec
ognized in conventions, when members
are representative of party action, do
not exist in reference to the convention
held in this city in May. 1t was not
the convention of party it was a vol
untary assembly of individuals, each
acting for himself and upon his own re-
spOnsibility, protesting to agree in ref
erence to the value of certain proposed
political reforms, and called for consul
tation merely as to the best methods for
their promotion. The convention itself
was protest against the evil of party
bigotry, and its membership was dis
tinctive of determination to wear no
party collar. From the very nature of
its constitution, and of the cause in the
interest of which it assembled, none of
its members could be held to be bound
to govern himself by its decisions, un-
less supported and sanctioned by the
approval of his individual judgment.


The particular measures of reform
mentioned in the call for this cOnven-
tion, in my mind, and that of the gem
tlemen in Cincinnati who united in re-
spending to it, were subordinated to the
grander and more general form, which
included all; that embraced in move
ment intended to work the disintegra-
ton of both political organizations,
which should draw the line distinctly
between public and party interests, and
unite the best men of all the people, Of
both parties, against the politicians,
and those followers of their camps.
The essential and cardinal idea of such
a movement consisted i'm its being an
appeal to the whole people as such, to
rid themselves of the entire system of
party tyranny and corruption, and to
elect to the Presidency statesman
whose administration should constitute
a new party out of the best of both the
old ones, bestOwing office as trust ac-
cording to the ability with which it
would be administered, and not as re-
ward for diligence and unscrupulous-
ness in seeking it.


Its success depended upon the unself-
ishness and disinterestedness of the
convention which, called in the cause of
reform, was bound to set an example of
reform. 1t required the hearty and
unanimous selection of candidates who
were not seeking the nomination, who
would accept it only if offered without
terms, and taking it, would feel under
no obligations for its tender, except to
prove worthy of it.


Such ali idea, it is said, was utopian.
So, it seems, the result has proven. The
convention fell below the mark of its
own necessary standard. 1t was filled
with politicians of the ordinary stamp
men who wanted offices for them
selves and their friends-and who, con.
sequently, determined no one should be
nominated to dispense office, in case of
his election, who would not acknowl-
edge and remember the obligations to
reward party services.


1t found such men, who personally
and by agents were soliciting the situa-
ton; men who, personally or by their
spokesmen, were willing to negotiate
for it. A bargain was struck, and the
nominations were made.


1t could scarcely happen, in such cir
cumstances, otherwise than that the
choice would be of men themselves al
together personally unfit for the sta
tiOns to which they aspire. But were
it otherwise in the present case, and the
candidates of the Cincinnati Conven-
ton were personally qualified for the
positions for which they are proposed,
the manner and circumstances of their
nomination at least absolve all who did
not approve them from any obligation
to support them.


1t is my determination to support and
vote for Gen. Grant and Henry Wilson
as the candidates of the Republican
party, and conversely not to vote for or
support Mr.. Greeley and Gov. Brown,
the nominees of the Democratic party,
reorganized under the auspices of the
Cincinnati Convention.


THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.


In making this declaration, of course
am not unaware of the many and seri-
GUS accusations made against the Re-
publican administration. In coming to
a decision have not overlooked them.
That some of them are well founded,
for myself, | am free to admit. 1t has
done some things that ought not to have
been done. 1t has failed to do others
that ought to have been done. 1t has
been guilty of sins, both of omission
and of commission. And if those
whose eyes are clear to -aaapiat af- Asrs+,
and of folly could believe that the con-
ception at Cincinnati in May was inn
aculate, and that infallibility was re-
vealed at Baltimore in July, no one
earnestly desiring reform in political
life could hesitate in his choice. But
the task of criticism, both of political
men and measures, ungracious and
thankless as it often is, will still be
found to be the lot of the patriot. Flat
ter ourselves as we will, our most idol
lied institutions are far from perfect,
and continually need the wise, amend
ing hand; while he, who seeks in the
exercise of the great trust of political