The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-24
The Two-Thirds Rule.

Inc "O- AISlo Ieuc'
Right now. on the very verge OF the great
work TO be performed by the Democratic
Convention at ST. Louis, it is question OF
supreme interest whether the two-thirds
rule will be rejected or rcaffirmed. This
intensity Of interest arises, OF course, from
4 consideration of the fact that under SIM
pic majority rule there may be nomina'
ton very different from that resulting under
the unreasonable requirement OF the anti
popular, undcmocratic ordinance demand
ing two thirds Of the votes as indispensable
in the selection OF a candidate. Under the
one rule it is absolutely certain that some,
great, salient leader of the party--some man
OF established statesmanship-some one oil
the giants Of Democracy whose strength
has been tcsted-will be chosen as our chief
for the campaign that is about to he opened
Under the other rule it is not improbable
that some man OF only moderate dimensions
and local consequence, with no rcpu-
Sation as q statesman, no prestige, no
power before the people, some such
man, for example, as the Cincinnati noml-
nee. may he brought before the coun-
try next week. with the grand old standard
OF the defenders OF the Constitution intrust-
cd TO his unequal arm, and with the re-
sponsibility of the republics destiny bear
ing his narrow shoulders down. In the one
instance VIC should have HERCULES able to
walk off with Mr.. HAYES wriSSing Ike
worm between his foreiingcr and his thumb;
and i'm the other instance we should have
but 4 match for Mr.. HAYES and nothing
more.
We do not mean to say the adoption OF
the two-thirdS rule at st. Louis must neces-
sarilv lead to the defeat of every big man
who may be put in nomination, and TO the
selection Of some one OF the little men VINO
will be crouching In the corners waiting for
all the great gladiators to be slain
we ONLY fear it might be so with our
Convention, rs it was with the Re-
publican Convention a few days ago.
We are firm in our faith that the Great
Rciormcr will be nominated regardless of
the rule that may be adopted; but we are free
to admit that there is no certainty OF his
success unless the majority shall be allowed
TO determine the choice OF the party as it
determines the choice of the people. BAY
ARD, and THURMAN, and HENDRICKS, and
HANCOCK, and PARKER, would all, also, be
in danger of being caught in this trap that
catches the great lions but lets the little
foxes slip through. There are other men,
howcyer,-mcn not now mentioned in con-
nection with the nominatiOn-amonS whom
may be found "Great Unknown
well worthy to wear the mantle and bare
the blade of the best and bravest who have
ever won or lost rs leaders in the righteous
cause OF the Constitution and Of the pcO-
pie. We expect no such solution and set
Element of the rivalrics ut st. Louis; BUTT
may be so. and with all our earncstness OF
interest in behalf of Governor TlLDEN rs,
hy I'LL odds, the most available man in the
party, the nominee OF the Convention, who
ever he may be, whether giant or dwarf,
will be supported by us with all the aid our
energies can give to him for the furthcrancc
OF his cause.
We cannot but hope that the two-thirds
rule will not be reatlirmed by the Conven-
ton. and that Il nomination will be effected
without cngcndcring any jealousies or bad
feelings that can possibly dalnpcn for
Il moment the ardor Of any leader or
any follower in the party. There is
no reason, right, or business TO sustain
such rule. 1t is already abrogated by
the popular sense of the country. A ma
jority of the Convention can reprcss any
effort to revive it, and we trust to see it dis
cardcd and laid away with the party relies
OF the past.