The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-01-17
The Presidency.
Reasons Why the Democrats Should
Nominate John Kelly.
IN. Y. Herald.l


What is the use of all this fuss the Demo-
Gratis are making about Presidential candidates?
Ex-senator Mcdonald, of Indiana, may be a
good man. Governor Cleveland may be wiser
than the general public just now thinks him;
Governor Pattison may turn out a real Demo-
cratic diamond; but not one of them, nor any
one so far named could get the nomination
without the consent of the real ruler of the
Democratic party, who has not yet been oon-
suited.
The Democratic politicians are confirmed op-
timists; that is the source of all their misfor-
tunes of the last quarter of century. They
never look political situation squarely in the
face. They refuse to deal with facts. They
tickle each other with the straws of expecta-
tion, and swindle each other with the depreci-
ated currency of delusive hopes. AS a sincere
and faithful friend of the Democratic party we
think it our duty to try to drag them out of the
TOOLS paradise in which they are strayipg
about.
Let them consider the nature of the problem
which will be before them next year. They
want to elect President Well, they cannot
hope to do that without carrying the State of
New York. This State is Republican without
the city vote; no one doubts that. But who
controls the city vote? Mr.. John Kelly.
Without Mr.. Kelly's consent, therefore, the
Democrats cannot elect President. Without
his help they are helpless What is the use
then, of their talk about Mcdonald, Cleveland,
Pattison, or any of dozen others whose friends
are fooishly dragging their names into public
notice? Mr.. Kelly is the Democratic President
maker. Why will not our Democratic friends
look their situation squarely in the face and
determine on the only frank and sensible
course left to them? Why do they not agree
to nominate Mr.. Kelly himself for their FRESH
dent
Mr.. Kelly is plainly their man. The Demo
cratic leaders of this State have carefully
trained him for the Presidency. He abandoned
and defeated their party at an important cleo
ton, and last fall they took him back again
and gave him whatever he wanted. He quar-
relied with, defied and insulted all the Demo
cratic leaders who opposed him, and they
meekly rev arded him by high seat In their
councils, and fastened to nominate and elect
the man he picked out for Mayor of the city.
The Republican discussions made it easy for
the Democrats to carry the State without Oh
against Mr.. Kelly last fall, but they evidently
did not want TO do without him; they sought
him out and restored him, with tears of joy, to
the control OF the party which he had before
spurned with contempt. They dare not do less
now than give him their Presidential nomina-
ton.
And why not? 1t will be said by some DEM
ocrats that Mr.. Kelly is too ignorant for SO high
place; but he certainly knows as much as the
been found on both sides of almost every inn
portaDt question, except the spoils question
these many years. No Democrat will deny
that concerning one matter-concernipg the
distribution of patronage-Mr. Kelly knows
enough to crafty every Democratic office
seeker in the land, aud what good Democrat is
not hoping for an office in 1886?
For President John Kelly"-that is the
clear logic of the Democratic situation. 1t is a
weak thought to expect Mr. Kelly to nominate
some other man. He has nominated mayors
and they have deceived him; he has nominal
ed governors and the party has rejected thsm
he IS not soft man, and now that the Presi-
Dental nomination is in question not only
would Mr.. Kelly rightly refuse to Lut in a
mere dummy to represent him, but it would be
piece OF rank dishonesty in his party to pro-
pose it-a piece Of cowardice inviting that pub
lie Contempt which brings defeat. Some years
ago when Mr.. Kelly was still in the gristle of
his career, and before his political bones and
muscles were hard and firm, he wished to name
the Democratic candidate for Mayor. We for
get what respectable business man" was bis
man at the time, but the Herald suggested to
him to name himself We might We told him,
support John Kelly for Mayor; but it was of
fensive to ask us 10 support John Kelly's man
OF straw, John Kelly's wooden Indian. Re
peaied experiences must have convinced him
since then that even tobacconist's lay figure
will not do Mr.. Kelly's will so we'll as Mr..
Kelly can do it himself Though he seems at
last TO have found sufficiently subservient
to9lin Mayor Edison we have our doubts wheth-
er even Mr., Edison will continue to please bis
master.
For President, john Kelly"-that is the
logical outcome of the Democratic situation
Mr.. Kelly can carry the city by rousng ma
lority If he wants to. Tammanv carries the
State; the State carries the country-so at least
the Democrats hope. Mr.. Kelly has now or
will have presently, the greater part of the pat
ronage of the city in his control He has his
due place and influence in the State organi-
cation. He is master of his party If the par
ty believed in anything except the spoils it
might easily get on without Mr.. Kelly in 1885
But it would in that case have got on without
him last fall, and would not have reinstated
above all things for the spells and Careless
about principles and policies Mr.. Kelly is it's
proper and necessary Presidential candidate.