The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-05-17
The Democracy and the Presidential
Contest.

SOhhCSts
The very favorable auspices that point
to the success of the Democracy in the
contest next November, should inspire
those charged with the duty of selecting
candidates with the utmost care and the
soundest discretion in making their choice.
There may now be thrown away an oppor-
tunity that will not come again for dozen
years. A brief view of the condition OF
the Republican party at the present time
will show that at no time since its first
success has it been so utterly demoraliZsd
snd incapable of controlling those
who have hitherto rendered it an
unyielding support. They have chung to
it simply because the Democracy has
made mistakes, and not for any special
devotion to the Republican principles or
practices. They wish to leave it and re-
pudiste it for better party, if they can find
one. Again, among those who adhere to
Rsdicalism through good and evil report,
who are ready to stand by the party in all
its rottenness, there Is a sharp contention
of unusual bitterness. The friends of the
different candidates are ready to destroy
one another. Bristow's friends talk openly
of bolt II he Is not nominated. Nor
toms friends are doing their best
to destroy Blaine, while Morton
only escapes an attack from both
by virtue of the. fact that
his chances are so slim as not to
merit any serious attention, while Conk-
ling's followers carry on an lndiseriminate
fight against all, and they expect their
favorite to succeed by virtue of the Kill
kenny contest of his rivals. Then, who.
ever is nominated must needs carry the
dead weight of the administration. The
favor of the officehelders is absolutely
necessary to the faintest hope of success.
Any very great enthusiasm under such
Circumstances can not be very easily man
utscturea for party among the people
in time OF depression like the present.
There is no promise OF relief under
another term of Grantism, no mat
ter if the president be named Blaine,
Conkling or Bristow. With either of
these men, or even Morton or tie "Grsat
Unknown" who will more exactly repre-
sent the administration, the Republican
party can not in it's own strength succeed.
But there can be condition OF things
which might bring just such dire evil
upon the nation. All depends upon the
wisdom of the representatives of the De-
mocracy at st. Louis. II they blunder,
all may be lost.
One of the means by which the Republi-
can party has been enabled to retain
power, Notwithstanding the people knew
1t Was stealing and wasting the revenues
of the nation, is their continued cry
against the Democracy as disloysl. The
lie has been confuted ten thousand
times, but their leaders reiterstt
the infamous falsehoOd upon every oc
casion. They will do it again in the com
ing campaign and strive to succeed upor
that plea. The care necessary In the st
Louis convention is to so place the party II
its platform and nominee before the coun
try, that this mode of attack shall receive
no shadow of coloring in any act of tn
/, convention. The great thing to be gaines
Z In the overthrow of the Republican part.
! is not merely success of the opposition, bu
r to give to the country better government
with better principles. Better that tn
: government should perish in Republics
{ hands If the Democracy can not do bette
Q by the people. With good sound plat
q form and true, honest statesmen for stand
o ard bearers Is the only line of success tina
3 Is desirable. A trucking expediency mel