Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-04-28
Aancaster fr,tellige1lrer.
WEDNESDAY EvEN'a. APRIL %. 1890.
For the Party First.

WEDNESDAY EvENG. APRIL %, 1880.
For the Party First.
The Democratic party of Pennsylvania
is not, at latest accounts from the place
of its convention, in the frame of mind
which it needs to have to achieve sue
cess. 1t ought to be apparent to every
delegate that harmony in the party is
necessary if we would carry this closely
divided state. We have no chance TO
throw away and it does seem that every
delegate should be willing to look to this
point first, before seeking to indulge his
predictions or consulting his personal
ambition. There are manifestly some
men at Harrisburg who are ready to sa-
crifice the party to themselves. We re-
gret to find Senator Wallace among the
number. If he had joined hands with
Andrew H. Dill and William Mutchler,
who have been of the company of his par
ticular friends, harmony would have pre-
vailed in the convention. A satisfactory
plan of settlement of the Philadelphia
controversy was agreed upon by these gen
tlemen and the friends of the county
committee organization of Philadelphia,
and was likewise acceded to by large
number of the delegates of the city COM
mittee party. Certain men who wanted
to 60 to Cincinnati as delegates, and who
would by the arrangement have been de-
prived of this privilege, kept the city
committee delegation from acceptingthe
compromise and the controversy was ac-
cordingly transferred to the convention.
That body may have wisdom enough to
disentangle the snarl, but it will not he
aided in the effort by Senator Wallace,
who, as one of the delegates most indebt-
ed to the party in the state, should be
first and foremost to secure its harmony.
He made a speech in answer to a sere-
made, in which he proclaimed his devo-
tion to harmony and brotherhood, but it
was manifestly but lip service in view OF
his action at the very moment. 1t is this
feature in Senator Wallace's character
which prevents him from taking the
leadership of the party and commanding
the support of the masses. He is too often
found to be narrow-minded and selfish.
There is no magnanimity or spirit of self
sacrifice in his composition. He is not
great enough to feel that he can surrender
any chance to increase his consequence
and power. lie feels that he has to work
day i'm and day out, by tooth and toe
nail, to keep his head above water, SO
that he is always i'll row. lie has
ability, cunning and courage enough to
often come out ahead, but the poor
party suffers all the time, whether his
head is up or down. He thinks he is in
scrimmage now again for life or death
and that his only chance for life is to
fight. Whereas, if he was really wise
and great he would know that
he could achieve greater fame,
consideration and power by showing
himself by his acts to be for the party
before himself, than he can by patent
pretence of devotion to the party which
does not cover his selfish efforts any bet
ter than the ostrich is covered who hides
his head in the bush.
The work of the day may be more
grateful than the promise of the night,
and the convention may he more harmo-
niOus than is foreshadowed. There are
very good men in attendance, who labor
to this end, and we hope they will sue
ceed. Andrew II. Dill has won golden
opinions from all sides for his disinter-
ested and noble efforts to secure peace,
and under his guidance the convention
may make Il cOmmendable record.
Speaker Randall is present manifesting
both i'm deed and word his desire for har-
mony. Franklin B. GOwen has been in
attendance with this sole aim, and many
other distinguished Democrats. 1t will
be strange indeed if their efforts fail. 1t
will not be good for those who achieve a
temporary success by abusing their pres
ent power to advance their selfish inter-
ests at the party loss if their miserable
schemes succeed. The Democrats of the
state have an attentive eye upon the pro-
ceedings of their representatives, and
they will surely discover those who have
thwarted the harmony they demand if it
should not prevail in the convention
and they will not forget them.
TIE Harrisburg Patriot has Il story
which it dignfes with double-leaded edi-
torial type, that somebody has offered
delegate three thousand dollars for his
seat in the Democratic state convention.
That is a very remarkable narrative and
discloses a very high value for conven-
tion seat. 1t is good deal more than
we would have suspected that any one
would offer for even 4 national cOnyen