The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-12
MONDAY, JULY 10, 1859.
1gE DEMO CRATIC STATE OONVEN-
TTON


TTON
r,,u Domocraoy have been so long out of
mower in Pennsylvania that they Will Doubt
Ieas make desperate effort to nominate
nonular Gubernatorial candidate at the con-
vention which is to assemble on "Wednesday
next Prior to 1860 the Democracy had been
oIr,ost uniformly successful in Gubernatorial
oontests. and when they happened to be de-
feated on account of the unpopularity OF their
champion, internal divisions, or other causes,
thew never failed to recover their lost ground
at the succeeding trial. 1t had passed into
proyerb that though they might be beaten
once. no anti-Democratic candidate could be
re-elected. This rule has been reversed, how
over. since 1860. Curtin was elected in
that wear, reelected in 1868, and sue
ceeded in 1867 by the present Republi-
can incumbent, Governor Geary. This expe-
rience has impressed the Democracy with the
necessity Of nominating candidates less likely
to arouse the bitter antagonism of loyal
voters than Judge Woodward and Hester
Clymer, and instead of seeking nominees who
have boldly spread upon the public records
anti-war or pro-secession sentiments, their
choice will probably fall either upon one of
their most prominent business men or an
officer of the Union army.
We publish elsewhere sketch of the can
didates. 1t is generally supposed that the
contest is chiefly between Asa Packer, of
Carbon county, and George w. Cass, of Pitts
burg. They are both more prominent as rail
road men than as politicians, but have both
faithfully adhered to the waning fortunes of
the Democratic party. Asa Packer is the
favorite of the eastern section of the State,
and he will probably receive the support of
nearly all the delegates from this city. He
has amassed great wealth, and stands promi-
nent if not pre-eminent among the rail
way kings of the nation, as he not only
controls but owns railway property valued
at millions of dollars. Notwithstand-
ing his active business career, he
has always been devoted to politics; and the
Democracy of his district have in turn made
him an Associate Judge and sent him to the
Legislature and to Congress, and at the Tam
many Hall Convention he was the Pennsyl-
vania Presidential candidate. AS he is as
destitute of oratorical gifts as General Grant,
his record in public life can be traced only in
his votes, and he has made no damaging
speeches to furnish ammunition to his politi-
cal enemies. 1t is said that when he con-
sented to become candidate, he was under
impression that he would have no active
rivals in the convention; but being now
fairly embarked in the enterprise, he will no
doubt make jealous effort, through his
friends to achieve success.
Mr.. Cass is relative of the old favorite of
the Democracy, Lewis Cass of Michigan.
He has also been prominently identified with
railroad interests, and he is reputed to be
man of considerable wealth as we'll as of great
popularity in the western section of the State,
where he is best known He has held few or
no political Offices and his active participa-
tion in the proceedings of the Democracy has
been confined chiefly to his services as a dele
gate in their State and National Conventions.
A vigorous effort in his behalf is being made,
and opinions differ in regard to whether he
or Packer has the best chance of obtaining
the nomination, but Packer stock is generally
considered best in this region.
Many Democratic politicians think that
General Hancock would prove the most avail
able candidate they could put in the field, and
some of the delegates have been instructed to
support him. 1t is said, however, that he
positively declines to seek the nomination,
and states that he will not accept it if ten
dered. The Office can have but little tempta-
ton for one who enjoys his present military
position, and the chief inducement held out
to him is that he might make the Governor
ship stepping-stone to the Presidency, or..at
least become the Democratic Presidential
candidate in 1872, as he has a better war
record than any other prominent Democratic
aspirant for national political honors.
In the present state of the canvass his re-
ported declination makes his nomination
highly improbable, except in the event that
deadlock between Cass and Packer creates
partisan necessity for thrusting this honor
upon him in spite of his refusal and protesta-
tions. After Horatio Seymour's performance
at the Tammany Hall Convention, it is impos-
sible to imagine any species of declination
which will prevent a Democratic politician
from accepting nomination, and even Han
cock may become the victim of his Demo
cratic admirers.
THE CUBAN REVOLUIION.