The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1878-04-07
The Democratic State Convention
(Rock Island Arpual

NtsVSh Aoiduu hlSus,J
The near approach of the Democratic
State convention to make nomination OF
state ticket makes it necessary and proper
to speak plainly In regard to what should
be done, and what ought not to be done.
Ii there Is a Democratic party in this state,
now Is the time to show 1t openly and
distinctiyely as such. For some years
past the policy pursued in the State con-
ventions has been shilly.shally compro-
mise between a regular nomination and
an attempt at securing success through
the medium OF availability. Instead of
doing the work as a party of principles
should, and trusting to the strength of
the pri nciples enunclated TOR the appro>
batio OF the people In securing ma
10 rity vote for the nominees In straight
and sharply defiant contest, all sorts of
hopes have been INDUCED In and all
kinds of dicker and truck have been made
with independents" "Grangers" and
other indefinite party factions, with the
expectation that the floating vote and
balance OF power" could be won over
to the Democratic ranks and victory
DO secured BY such miserable
party coalitions. In every instance the
effort has been sham and
humbug and the Democratic party cheat.
ed and sold. That thing has been tried
long enough. 1t would be folly to repeat
1t. Let us have new censu. OF party
strength, let those who know that thew
are vastly In the minority compared with
the whole state vote, but who are always
30 prominent at the state convention
with bold assertions Of the strength thew
represent, and who are always anxious
and ready TO trade upon the basis OF their
unknown capital, have the opportunity
OF demonstrating just how many votes
does constitute their stock in trade, The
Democratic convention does not need
to allie Itself with an unknown Quantity.
II would be suicidal to abandon It's own
principles and organizstlan. II It has
either, and take up men nominated by
It's opponents or by third party. II
there Is to be q third party and a third
ticket in the field, so let 1t be; the Demo.
cratic party don't want to affiliate with
It In any way, or be dictated to, or DO
disturbed by sany pretense OF their
holding the balance OF power. II there
isany thing In the Democratic party, any
vitality In its organization, and any min.
clples at stake worth contendInp for.
then let the convention act as becomes
the representatives Of q vigorous and
aggressive organization; but II II ia
wholly wanting In these several quail.
ties. If IL has become eflete, worn OUT.
or has passed Into dotsge, then let the
convention lilo down and quietly die, and
be decently buried. The live vigorous
and wide-awake men who have acted
with the party because they believed IL
yet capable Of affecting good. be,
cause 1t ia essentially and rad
ically opposed To the corr
ruptlon, misrule and centralizInr tenden.
cy OF the Republican party. because thew
have believed thatIt had yet q positive
and living future. are no longer DESTROYS
or willing to SEQ Il placed Ia the subordI.
nate position ot being the body ana tail
Of compromise nonentitv with the hesd
made up from tho fag ends and amhisi>
Gus deserters Of its political opponents.
Give tho people a straight Democratic