The New York herald., 1872-07-09
m l G HiG A NJ.
The Developments in the Democratic State Con-
vsnsion-A Strong Feeling in Favor Of the
Cincinnati Nominses-An Greeley
Delegates to Attend the Ma
tional Convention.
LANSING. Mlch.. July 8 1917.

LANSING. Mlch., July 8, 1s12
The Democratic State Convention, which was held
here yesterday. was interesting and amusing
beyond the general run OF conventions. Michigan
entered with some earnestness into the liberal
movement, and up to the nomination OF Greeley
the liberals and democrats were united. Greeley,
however, was a strong dose for the wolverine
democracy to swallow, and the Detroit Free Press
and other prominent newspapers evlnced the
utmost repugnance to accepting him, desperate as
they conceded the emergency to be. The certainty
OF opposition to the Cincinnati ticket and the pos
sbility Of bolt lent additional interest to the
meeting, and made the attendance unusually large.
II the Apostle himself had been present things
could not have been done more decently orderly.
There was . noticeable absence Of the young and
enthusiastic element among the delegates, and
proceedings were decorous almost to the verge Of
mournfulness.
The great feature of the day was the charming
uncertainty which prevailed to the last moment as
to the way the cat would jump. The Chairman,
Mr.. D. W. Wheaton, called the Convention to order,
and nominated temporary President, who made
speech half minute long and perfectly colorless.
There was considerable sparring over permanent
organization. Finally It was resolved to select
permanent President by direct vote. Mr.. Flavius
IittleJohn was chosen and delivered speech OF an
hour and quarter. He reviewed the career OF the
party In Michigan, glanced briefly at Its national
record, and declared that there were certain
It could not afrord 10 do. The Convention was
completely at sea as to which particular horse Mr..
Lttlejohn intended to bestrde until he reached his
per0ration, and suddenly remarked, "When we are
at war, II the arms we are accustomed to are not
at hand, we take the best we get" 1t took the
Convention some moments to see the point; then
the opposition was blankiy silent the Greeleyites
applauded loudly, and then everybody burst into
roar Of laughter Motions to elect Greeley dele
gates and nominate Greeley electors were at once
put through, the Greeeyites developing much
strength-at least three to one. Mr.. Wheatons
that his action in the Central Committee had lost
the State to the Cincinnati ticket, IT, indeed, tine
ticHet ever had chance. The state Committee
years.
favor Of Greeley, individually, without taking into
account the Instructions received from the Conven-
ton. In these the 'nOble Roman" was emulated In
brevity, the first containing eight words, endorsing
the Cincinnati platform and the second eleven, IN
structng the delegates to vote as unit These
models Of political literature were received with
great laughter, and the Convention adjourned with
out any special manifestations Of exutation on the
one hand. or expressions OF dissatisfaction on the
other.
Interviews with the delegates present from all
parts OF the State gave me an unusually favorable
opportunity OF feeling the political pulse Of the
know is a stanch republican State. 1t gave Grant
81 800 over Seymour on avote Of 225 000 and in of
years is considered safe by 1000 or $4,000. The lib
eral party is led by Ex-Governor Austin Blair, and
cannot lie called strong In numbers or in influence.
Especially are the leaders OF the foreign element
lacking in weight The whole liberal republican
party, ! should Judge, VIII cast about FIVE thou
sand votes. They will, probably, in spite
Of the gerrymandering Of the Legislature,
elect two denloc. ats to Congress instead of one,
but even this Is doubtful. The democratic party
win not turn ont it's full strength for Greeley.
Many of its members declare that as they won't
vote for Grant and can't vote for Greeley they viii
stay at home and wash their hands Of all RESPONSE
bility for the election of one OF the other. Mr..
Greeley's extreme popularity in some quarters has
had something to do with this but the result Is
mainly due to the strenuous opposition offered by
the dissatisfied, under the leadership OF the Detroit
clique from the very day that the nomination was
made at Cincinnati They are too late now to re-
pair the mischief even were they desrOus of doing
So Making every allowance. II now seems rs II
the regular republican nominee would be elected,
q comparatively light vote, by at least 10000 or
ZOO majority.