Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-03-09
lanraster tlltelliqencer.
THURSDAY EVENING. MARCH Q. 1881.
The Next State Convention.


The Next State Convention.
The tone of the Democratic press
throughout the state was never better
calculated to impress upon the state con-
vention the necessity of acting with wis
dom and caution in its deliberations.
The better class of Democratic journals,
like all other unselfish and intelligent
leaders of party opinion, recognize a
great crisis and great oppor-
tunity before the Democracy of Penn
sylvania. While it is true that the events
of the last presidential campaign, in
which Indiana and New York were
wrenched from the Democracy, and the
recent attempted disintegration of the
solid South, begun with partial success
In Virginia, have somewhat changed the
battle lines, it is equally true that like
causes have been operating to the disad-
vantage of the opposition. The hot fac
tional fight in the Republican party, fed
by the lust of office, makes its future
uncertain and its tenure of power in
some of the larger Northern states very
frail. That fight will not he smothered
or deferred by any more such compro-
misses and evasive nominations as re-
suited in the last two national conven-
tions. The COnkling and Blaine fac
tions, the Stalwarts and Half Breeds,
will close in death grapple in 1854.
Recent events have made it very pro-
missing that Pennsylvania will not be
safely set down on the Republican side
in the presidential calculation for that
year. Whether it shall be or not depends
largely upon the state elections of this
year. There might be Republican
success only to he followed with disas-
trous results to that organization there
might be an apparent Democratic vic
tory which would only sow the seeds of
future humiliation for us. But it is un-
deniable that if the Democracy should
elect their state ticket here this year,
theirchances of electing a president in the
country two years hence are measurably
increased. The next convention, there
fore, in making its nomination, may be
making president.
If Beaver should be nominated, as now
seems likely, the Independents will pro
test against this endorsement of the
"3O6'' with an Independent nominee,
and they will support him with the votes
Of all that large class who prefer to let
the election of 4 fit and honest Demo-
crat ensue from tho obduracy of the Re-
publican bosses in trying to 60 rough
shod over the popular will Of their party.
If, however, the Democratic nomina-
tiOns give promise of nothing to be
gained by their election, except a partisan
Democratic victory, many Independent
Republicans will refuse to take any such
risk. In Philadelphia it has been shown
that the election of Democrats need
occasion no alarm to honest Republicans
and if the Democracy put up men for
state offices whose character and the
platform on which they are nominated
are pledges that in their hands the state
affairs will be administered for the well
fare and honor of the commonwealth
Republicans will not be afraid to let
them be elected by Withholding their
own votes from support of the Ring.
Moreover, we are assured Of something
nearer fair election in Philadelphia
this year than has generally prevailed
there, and that is worth thousands of
votes to the Democracy of Penn
sylvania. That city has again and
again swollen. if it has not entirely made
the majority against the Democrats and
counted out their candidates With the
majority there cut down to its lawfully
slender proportions, the candidacy Of
Democrats for state offices is altogether
hopeful.
Seeing how much their chances of sue
cess depend upon the movements of the
opposition, it is manifestly the part of
wisdom for the state Democracy to post,
pone their convention to a much later
date than the time set for the Republi-
can councils. \ two months campaign
is long enough, if the local organizations
are everywhere made efficient, and there
is no reason why this should not be done.
Let the state convention be made up of
representative men with no axes to grind
nor selfish purposes to serve, and out of
their wise and harmonious counselling
together there ought to result fit nomi-
nations. These seem to us to be the
points which the Democratic press ought
to impress upon the party and those en-
trusted with its management
4 late contention.
a council of the party-n"t q strife Of
factions.
A complete s,.tordinat'oa Of all personal
interests to the genera! purpose of secur-
ing the tttest and most arailable caadi-
dates.
Harmony among the leaders energy
and good faith among the rank and file.
Good local nominations and efficient
local organizations.
A compact, rigorous and thorough state
organization.
A short and sharp campaign.
In accordance with it's regular custom,
the INTELL1GENCER begins the repub-
lication of the views of the representa-
tive journals of its party in this state on
the annrOachinp Marty convention and