Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-08-28
Daniel Nannfng'S Letter

Daniel Nanning'S Letter
The late Democratic convention
was remarkable, not only as a well
regulated and thoroughly organized
body Of men, but as an exemplifica-
ton of the strength of caucus rule,
under the guidance of the one man
power.
Those who recollect the old Al
bany Regency, a Democratic organ
ization which at one time ruled, po-
litically, the State of New York, ex-
tended its influence into national poll
tics, dictated nominations and con
trolled largely national patronage,
will recognize in Daniel Manning the
controlling power in the late con
vention, parsonage upon whom the
mantle of this celebrated regency
had fallen. Like them, his crown
ing object was success; and like
them, he had little regard as to the
means employed so long as he at
tanned the result he sought. The
will of the majority was ignored as
he grasped the convention with the
iron grip OF the unite rule and de-
clared himself dictator. With a
keen insight into the situation, he
plainly saw that the party could not
depend upon its past record, nor
upon the political history of It's
past leaders for success, and with an
adroitness which would have done
credit to the skilled management of
the Albany Regency in the most
celebrated days of its existence, he
guided the convention with the
trained hand of a master to the
conclusion, that the safest alterna-
tive was the nomination of candi-
date whose public record, though
too meager to render him illustrious,
yet the limited duration of which
would obyiate the difficulty of his
having said or done so much that is
adverse to public scrutiny and ac-
ceptance as seems unavoidable with
those who have long been in Demo
cratic service. Neither the obsti-
nate resistance of large represent
tation of naturahzed citizens against
pro-Anglican ascendency, nor the
firm remonstrance Of labor interests
through an intrepid and celebrated
leader, had any effect upon a con-
vention which accepted with re-
spectful submission the dictation of
Daniel Manning, and acquiesced in
his forlorn hope-the nomination of
the Buffalo sheriff as their national
candidate.
Having now a candidate who pos
sossed in a large degree the desired
qualifications, a letter Of acceptance,
which long established custom
makes necessary, had to be written,
and which was at this time attended
with unusual difficulties, and it is
intimated that it required the united
efforts of the mayor of Buffalo, the
reputed author of the cipher dis
patches, and Daniel Manning t,
complete it; and the wisdom ant
skill displayed in this letter gives
weight to the intimation.
The letter is remarkable, not 5,
much for what it says as for what /
leaves uusaid; and its skillful dis
elimination in this respect is worth,
of consideration.
1t treats quite fully of the i'm
portance of the executive power o
the chief magistrate, and report says
, and not without some evidence t
= support it, that the circumstance
i which gave this question such prom
inence at this time, was the executiy
fitness of the candidate as shown il
the execution Of two Democrat
voters in the city of Buffalo.
Upon the Mormon question it