The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-07-24
THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CON
VENTION.

We this week publish call issued by
the Democratic State Central Committee
for convention to be held at Madison,
on September 9th, 1879, for the purpose
OF putting In nomination a ticket to be
supported by the democrats of the state.
1t is earnestly to be hoped that every dis
trict in the state will be represented at
the convention, because a manifestation
of interest in the early part of campaign
is most conducive to success. A full
representation is az earnest of determin-
thusiasm throughout the state. The first
step taken in q contest is often the decis-
i've one. If it be taken with Indifference,
the same feeling is attendant upon each
subsequent one, and defeat is for shadow
ed from the first. This is what the dem
ocratic party of the state should guard
against. We have no such majority
opposed to us as to make success hope
less. Inactivity is a growth of despon-
dency as diligence is of enthusiasm. The
prestige of success has inspired the re-
publican party with the latter, while con
tjnuous reverses have robbed the dem
ocrats of that spirit which IN many cases
would have prevented defeat.
Let the primaries every where be well
attended, so that the people may look
upon the convention as something Of
their creation, and not q work of poll
ticianr. Here we cen have decided adj
vantage over the republican party. eau
cuses and conventions were held in the
interests of individuals. The voice of
the people was hushed, and the partisans
of Smith or Ludington took complete
control CT the machine" which was so
adjusted that only the names of these
rival candidates could be heard. The
delegates from the republican conven-
tions in every assembly and senate dis
trict in the state went to Madison solely
to adjust the COLLECTING claims of these
contending chiefs. Ii is not a conven-
ton of the republican party, that is of
the people who make up the voting
strength of the party. The delegates arc
there in obedience to certain arrange
racnts .,aa5o br le>le.o. TilUIos.o, of
course exceptions, but these are SO rare
that they need not be considered. Were
either or both Of the candidates men OF
distinguished ability, admiration may
lead republicans to consider their claims
only, and the movement in their behalf
might come from the people. But the
direction of the movement is reversed
aud it is the men that covet the office.
The people of Wisconsin begin to grow
tired of this ceaseless work for men who
are after the spoils. The democrats have
only to be earnest in their work, to put
in nomination men of brains and of hon
esty in order to receive the support of
that class of republicans who are tired Of
continuing mediocre men in Office simply
because Of their Importantly and because
they have time to manipulate the ma
chine.
1t seems to us that the republicans
have no such assurance of success this
tall as should deter democrats from put
ting forth every effort to secure a victory.
And it seems to US that full convention,
every portion of the state being repre-
scented, the nomination of q ticket which
trast the inferiority of the men placed in
nomination by the republican convention
and the adoption of a good platform will
be accepted by the people as an earnest
of success in November, aud viii contrib
ute much to that end