Year: 1876

The Democratic National Convention


met at St. Louis yesterday, amid the heat


Of a temperature that ran high up over a


hundred. 1t came together without that


acrimony which was such marked fea-


ture in the political fever which agonized


the pulse Of the Cincinnati Convention.


It is gathering of men, who are united


in the harmony of Democratic feeling. 1t


is a body of men, which will apply its Or
ganic strength to the selection of that can
didate who will enchain the confidence of
the people, who will embody the mind
and record as the one pre-eminent claim to
the high position for which he will be
named. There will be dissentions, il is
very true. Tilden has, his bitterest oppo-
nents in the Tammany delegation, headed
by John Kelly, and in Ohio there is some
feeling which jars a little between the
Allen and Thurman men. But beyond
this there is nothing unpromotive of that
harmony and unity so essential to wise
selections.


1t differs from the Ohio Convention in
animus, by the absence of that class of pol
iticians, who are of the loaves and fishes
kind fighting for the end that will bring
gain to themselves. There is an absence
of such combination forces, that will dig
down into the roots of animosity and base
fights upon personal reasons. The Con-
ventien comes together with an array of
candidates, representative of Americas
ablest men. There will be found among
them no food for the fame Of suspicion and
searching criticism; each name stands
forth as clear index of the owners private
character. 1t will not be necessary as in
the Ohio Convention to select the least con-
spicuous for the most hon est to meet such
an emergency in party record. The candi-
dates all stand models of unblemished
character and the convention has its duty
marked out before them without being uc-
numbered by such tactics OF party adver-
tising. In this respect it has superior
advantage over the National Convention
which preceded it, and must take advan-
tage of advantage, and produce that result
which will make the canvass one of Re-
form and in accord with the terrible needs
for change Of administration.


Tilden appears as staunch reformer in
State affairs. He seized glaring frauds in
the most vital parts, and drew the life.
blood from the parasites that were winding
about the safety Of his State. He is
bold, daring man in the exercise Of jns-
tics, ably aided by knowledge, and char
actsr that comports with all his public ac-
tions. In these respects he is the most
prominent man before the Convention.
Circumstances had so woven themselves,
that he grappled with them, and builded a
large reputation as a reformer that with
his broad intelligence gives him greater
than others. The other can
didates have not been so circumstanced
in the events of their political life, but in
those positions that they have been placed,
have been bold and outspoken in defense
of honesty, and caustic in denouncing the
abuse of this Christian quality. They do
not offer upon the organic strength Of dele
cations, or astuteness as politicians; they
are chosen from the ranks Of the party |
as it's greatest men, whose only recommen-
dations are wisdom, honesty and patriot
ism, the qualities most needed in ? chief