Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-07-07
Manufactured Enthusiasm.

Mduu1aGCuTcu EuLuuSlaSIU
| The Democrats generally have their
noisiest Qualifications and indulge in
their most extrayagant demonstrations
before the elections come off, and the
forced enthusiasm they are displaying
over the nomination of Gen. HANCOCK is
no new exhibition with them. It did not
matter who might have been the nomi-
nee, the same sort of bluff game would
nave been on the programme. General
HANCOCK was about the least conspicuous
of any of the twenty or thirty candidates
before the convention, but His name was
scarcely announced before the precon
! certed shout went up which would have
been equally vociferous for any other one
OF the numerous expectants. 1t cannot be
shown upon any rational principles why
| the nomination should be regarded as
! peculiarly felicitous, or why it should
elicit any amount of genuine, unfeigned
enthusiasm. II it was urged that HAN.
COCK was a gallant and efficient officer in
the war for the preservation of the Union,
it is no reason why on that ground he
should be specially acceptable to the
Democratic party. The Southern wing
Dt that party was solid against
,he Union, and their leaders swore
they would die in the last ditch
but that they would accomplish its dis.
upton; and in this work they had
grge body Of sympathizers in the North,
among whom was the present Democratic
GOminee for Vice President. A mere
General, "the man on horseback" for a
Presidential nominee is what the Demo-
cratic leaders and organs have denounced
as unfit to be made. They have pre-
tended heretofore to look upon mere mill
tary men as disqualified, by their profess
sion, Tor the administration of the civil
government, and have tainted their oppo-
nents for nominating and supporting Gen.
Grant, who, they argued, was a mere mil
itary cbieftain and had not the statesman.
like qualities to fit him for President.
How suddenly have they changed their
tune! They are now shouting for man
who has from his youth up been educated
and trained for soldier and for nothing
else. 1t he has any views upon any of
the great economic questions which affect
the interests of the country, they are un-
known to the great body of his supporters
The high tariff and the low tariff men will
be alike in the dark as to what are the views
OF their standard bearer upon the subject
His particular notions on financial topics,
upon which there is such contrariety OF
belief in his party, ii will be equally hard
for them to ascertain from any action or
expression to be found IN his record.
Upon about all questions affecting the
civil government, be will have to be taken
entirely on trust In his letter of accept
ance, he may indeed give his views to the
public, but it will be entirely an ec post
facto declaration, fixed up for the occa.
sion, to catch votes. He boasts of no
opinions only that he has always been
Democrat, which SO far as any fixed prin-
ciples are concerned, is very equivocal
and ambiguous position. 1t Is evident
that if the country should be doomed to
the catastrophe of his election. the gov
ernmental principles upon which his ad,
ministration would be conducted would
not have their source in his own mind,
but be supplied to him by such advisers as
he would naturally call around him. In
his general ideas, he is understood to be
aristocratic, and to have little knowledge
of Or sympathy with the masses of the
people. His cabinet would naturally be
chosen from men whose instincts and
pedilections correspondent with his own.
On the Whole, except upon the mere
ground of availabiiity-of availability
because he has no record and no an
nounced principles, his nomination is not
calculated to arouse any genuine en-.
thusiasm, or to enlist any cordial support.
IF he becomes a strong candidate, it will
be because the strong men of his party
think it good opportunity for them to
come in and control his administration.
It will be a scramble on their part for
power, and to further their own ambi
tons, and not because they have any
great respect or admiration for their nom.
inal leader.