The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-16
Maine Speaks

Tho Democrats OF Maine have indicateda
nolicy for the Democratic party which ~
nigh, be we'll for the st. Louis CONVENTION
TO adopt. When Conservative or reno
cratic Journals speak OF the two-thlrds RUE
as one which has governed the National
Conventions Of the Democratic party lor 4
long time they forget that the present Dem
ocratic party is made up largely OF oid
Wings who have never had any faith
in such a rule In Virginia almost
half OF the Conservatives are old wings.
They have never protested to be IN love
with the ante-bellum principles OF the Demo
cratic party, and certainlynot With the rules
by which It's national conventions have tseen
hampered for so many years. why shouia
these old Wings be expected to fall In love
at this late day with rule which has mo-
thing in its history to commend it to the aG-
miration OF any true patriot, Democrat or
Wing, or Republican? This year IS
big with the fate OF the republic. a
merely sentimental attachment on the part
of ante-bellum Democrats to rule "hlch
has no merit in itself ought not for one mo-
ment to lie permitted to stand between the
present Democratic party and trlumphant
victory in the next presidential election.
The rule ought TO be disused at once ana
forever 1t ought not to be allowed longer
to thwart the wishes OF the Democratic peo-
,,,a ~ the Union. 1t NAV be that the agita-
tation OF the question OF its dlSuse began
too late to effect its abrogation at st. LOUIS on
thc a7th, but even il this be the fact the aglta-
ton should go on long enough to insure the
country against the unjust operation OF any
such rule at any future national conven-
ton. We do not know that the case Is
homeless for the approaching Convention.
We would fain hope that it is not. We take
il for granted that the TIIDEN men must sc"
that as their favorite has an undoubted ma
iortv of the delegates in his FAVOR,
nothing can defeat him Of the nomi-
nation but the readoption OF tins
odious rule; and that those OF
them who hold that he is the only Demo-
crat who can possibly be elected Will be
wise enough and courageous enough to test
the sense of the Convention on this point.
AT any rate. the Democratic State Conven-
ton of Maine adopted on Tuesday reso-
hutton which is thus described:
"The fifth resolution declares that it is the
sense OF the Convention that the rule adopt
ed by the later National Democratic Conyen-
tions requiring two thirds OF their delegates
to concur In making their nominations,
being at variance with the weil-eSta biShed
principles of maiority-controi, should be
abandoned.
That we call a sensible, practical view OF
the case. We trust that it will have its in
fluencc at st. Louis. But the Maine Demo-
Gratis did not content themselves with this.
They adopted a resolution declaring
"SAMUEL J. TLDEN, the able, Jealous, in
trepid reform Governor OF the Empire
State. to be the first choice OF the Conven-
ton for President OF the United States
and his nomination by the National Con-
vention was recommended as eminently tit
and proper. -.
Also, other resolutions were adopted cali
ing for governmental reform by Introducing
economy in the public service. striking
down every abuse Of power, and by the
honest administration OF the public affairs
tightening the public burdens and restoring
peace and national prosperity. The services
of the Democratic House Of Representatives
in instituting investigations, &C., and UNI
earthng corruptions, were commended.
The imitation OF the national currency was
opposed.
The National Convention will most proba-
bly find ii absolutely necessary to follow the
lead Of Maine in the matter OF platform.
At present it seems to us almost certain
that there can be no victory-for the Demo-
Gratis next fall unless the st. Louis Conven-
ton places the party upon platform salts
factory to the northern Democrats.