Year: 1876

TEE SPIRIT OF THE CONVENTION.


IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE


s,RAToGA. N Y Aug. 23.--I remember asking
prominent journalist, who some years ago was uis
inc as a tit candidate for the Presidency public
man who was subsequently swept away by the
endemic which carried OFF so many statesmen IN
1874 why he seemed so anxious for the promotion
of sucb a man. "Oh, we'll" he said, "he's good
fellow and one of u.s. and il will be pleasant to have
somebody we know in the White House." 1t was
charming little burst of candOr, and L have often
thoucbt of il since as a revelation of the true ph-
losophy Of great many political situations Inc
men who make nominations ordinarily, are great
deal more anxious to put in Office somebody they
know. and can approach, aud be on terms OF easy
familiarity WITH than they are TO ind candidate
who unites in himself all the qualifications Tor the
place. They certainly do not mean to nominate II
they know it, any candidate whose dignity OF
character repels familiarity OF whose high stand
ards Of political and personal morality forbid lnt-
mate condolences concerning the methods of polti-
cal management, and the means by which cities and
States are carried and party victories won.


1t would be idle TO attempt to disguise the fact
that in the issue raised between the two leading
candidates before to-day's convention, Mr.. Morgan
has been preferred for the simple reason that he is
what is called practical politician; .wmle MI
Eyarts is simply fit man, magnihcently endowed
and thoroughly equipped for the hOnors and duties
of high official station, but ignorant as schoolhoy
of the arts and devices OF political management and
on no terms of intimacy or confidence with the men
who use them. 1t is dishonor to Mr.. EVarts thdt
he failed to receive the nomination OF tins conVeh-
tion He has been honestly and earnestly supported
by the best sentiment and by some OF the best men
OF his party; and he has the satisfaction of knowing
.tI,o n lis in
office has mad the effect to elevate the tone Of politics
and give strength and vigor to growing healthfui
public sentiment While it is no disparagement to
Gov Morgan TO be supported by the machine poll
ticians who were really driven TO him in the choice
forced upon them between Mr.. Evarts and himself
il was no less compliment the position ana char-
ac.er Of Mr.. Eyarts that the influences Of machine
rolitics combined for his defeat. The struggle has
been from the beginning between the gentlemen
who call themselves practical politicians and those
whose higher notions and purer standard have gwen
them the name of idealiss in politics The idealiss
in this case came first from the people and mad the
popular sympathy and support. They made good
fight. They set the practical politicians thinking
that there might be- after ALL strength in ideal
politics than they had supposed; and If they did
not gain complete victory, they had the satisfac-
ton al least of driving the machine men back from
their first offensive position TO something like rea-
sonabe compromise If they have not nominated
Mr. Evarts they have at least defeated Slr. Cornell


The la5ors of last night, and they were late and
heavy, were devoted to inducing Mr.. Cornell 10
withdraw his name and give an opportunity toT
uniting his forces on Mr.. Morgan against Mr. Evarts.
Mr. Cornells supporters know what the gentleman
himself failed to comprehend, that with his name
before the convention Mr.. Evarts would have a
handsome plurality the first ballot and good
chance to be nominated on the second They did in
duce him at last to withdraw but judge from the
letter of withdrawal, which was circulated on the
floor of the convention Immediately after its assem-
bling that they failed to convince him of the essen
taI fact in the situation that he would have fallen
behind in the vote. 1t dense Ignorance
on Mr.. ComelPs part, and not stubborn
defiance Of truth, that led him to say III
his letter of withdrawal that he was certain
of plurality of votes if he remained in the field
Very likely he thought Mr.. Cornell Is not a
modest man. He is reported to be somewhat set in
his way but / believe him truthful. He actually
thought he was making sacrifice when he with
drew In fact he was not. He was liInping away
of crutches from knives already sharpened for his
sealping; but he got away. That should be conso-
lation enough. 1t was known at an early hour this
morning that Mr. Cornelps aspirations no longer
blocked the way, and that there strong prob
ability that Gov. Morgan would be nominated on
the first ballot. The convention assembled under
that impression which the rapid circulation of Mr..
Corners letter of withdrawal, printed on slips like
the advertisement of pie bakery, deepened into
conviction.


The opening performances were profoundly and
impressively harmonious 1t understood that
various organizations which might be described in
the words Of the late President johnson as "hsng-
ing on the verge of the Government" were to be
swallowed in a smooth, unobectionable fashion,
without disturbing digestion or ruiiing d feather
The Ellwood L. Thorne delegation from New-York
City, mostly represented by Mr. Thome, was wait
Ing to be recognized; and the Liberal Republicans
were in harmonious session down stairs with closed
doors getting themselves ready for deglutiton.
One OF the most touching spectaces Of the day was
Gen George II. Sharpes presentation of the
spacious preamble and commcdious resolutions
OF the ThOrne delegation withdrawing their
claim to seats on information that Gov. Morgan
was likely to be nominated for Governor.
There has been nd such exhibition of the living
down together of the hon and the lamb since lions
went wool gathering. Gen. Sharp has never been
hah " sweet in any State Convention ! have ever