Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-12
SHALL THE TAIL WAGGLE TIE DOG?

SHALL THE TAIL WAGGLE TIE DOGP
The st. Paul DAILY GLOBE and other papers
of its way of thinking on the subject are very
much mistaken in the view that the Utica con-
vsntion did not represent the Republican party
of this State A majority of the New York
Republicans are unqpestiOnably for Grant,
Ne,o York Star.
We accept the opinion Of the Sur, and
acknowledge our error, judging from the re-
mark of that really sprightly and enterpris-
ing paper that since the majority of the Re-
publicans of New York are in favor of Grant,
it is incumbent upon the partisans of that
State who acknowledge the wearing of the
Republican collar to go with the majority
and to support Grant with their whole heart
and soul. Such construction is fair, and is
the only theory upon which party organiza-
tions can be maintained-the theory that the
minority must waive their preferences in
favor of the preferences of the majority. 1t
is simply question, as Lord DundrearK puts
ii, of "whether the dog will waggle the tail
or the tail will waggle the dog"
The Star assumes to be a Democratic
newspaper, yet at the last State election in
New York it opposed the election of the
nominee of that party for Governor, and
largely through its influence he was defeated
and Republican chosen instead. 1t now
occupies the position of declaring
that if the majority of the
Demo- cratic party shall choose to select
certain person as their candidate for Presi-
dent-Mr. Samuel j. Tilden-it will oppose
his election. The Star represents the Tam
many organization, once allied to
the Democratic party - an or
ganization composed of about
twelve hundred persons, and controlling in
all about fifty thousand votes in the State.
The regular Democratic party represents
nearly four hundred thousand voters in the
State, majority Of eight to one of the entire
party. While claiming that the dog in
the Republican party of the State, repre-
senting only about four of that Or
ganization, should be allowed to waggle the
tail, the Star claims that the tail of the
Democratic party, representing only one
ninth of its strength, should be permitted to
waggle the dog, composed of eight-ninths of
the party. We are afraid that our contem-
porary will not make very high reputation
for consistency if this is specimen of its
logic.
The GLOBE does not desire the nomination
of Mr.. Tiiden as the candidate of the Demo-
cratic party for President. If he is nom1-
gated by fair means, however, and appears
to be tho preference of majority of the
representatives of that party at Cincinnati,
it will give him cordial support. The
GLOBE has confidence in Mr.. Tilden's per-
sonal integrity, but has more confidence in
the integrity and good judgment
of the delegates who may be
chosen to represent the Democratic
party at Cincinnati. We believe they will
act not only for the best interests of the
party, but for the best interests of the whole
country, and whoever may be chosen to lead
the hosts to victory-to the overthrow of the
present corrupt dynasty and the restoration
of the government to the principles upon
which it was founded, will have our hearty
SoPP0As' Aaiaiio1Aty IL uOt W 10 expected,
and though our preferences may be disre-
garded in the selection of candidates, we e.
TEEN it to be duty to labor with our might
for the success of what We conceive to be
correct political principles, no matter who
the exponent may be. The majority must
rule in the party as well as in the republic,
for this is the whole theory of republican
government.