The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-04-29
tampa TrlDune.
Two State Convention.

1t seems to be the opinion of several of our ex.
changes notably the Florida Herald, that it would
best subserve the party interests for the Democratic
Executive Committee to call two State Conventions
instead of one. We do not agree with them in that
opinion. We think 1t best for many reasons to have
but one Convention and as 1t is necessary that q
State Convention should be held prior to the meet
ing OF the National Convention at Chicago, In order
that delegates from our State may be chosen and
sent, that our party nominations for State officers
be made at the same time and the campaign be then
formally inaugurated.
Our Conventions composed of men from
widely separated sections of the State representa-
tives OF all classes and professions but largely
of those who are possessed of small means, who
are dependent upon their own labor, and TO whom
consequently "time is money" Travelling is ex-
pensve, If reduced rates are extended and the
pecunary loss resulting from neglect of business is
always considerable. The representative men of
The masses of our people cannot afford to incur the
expense of attending two Conventions when one
will answer every legitimate purpose equally we'll,
and better. Professional politicians, of course, al
ways have on hand ample funds for such purposes
but they are not the material of which we wish to
see our State Convention composed.
The Herald says that it bases It's suggestion of the
propriety of calling two Conventions upon the
policy OF short, sharp campaign, full of the con-
densed vgor and enthusiasm which could not be
fully sustained through long and tedious canvass
continuing through the summer and fall" This
policy would be very sound If 1t were possible
TO nfuse into "short" campaign the desired
sharpness, or to arouse In q few brief weeks that
degree Of vigor and enthusiasm which we all agree
In deeming essential to party success but we think
the political history of Florida at least since the
war, shows that short campaigns have, on the part
of the Democrats, invariably been weak spiritless
and unsuccessful, while protracted struggles those
In which the forces have been marshaled and the
battle joined early have just invariably resulted
in the triumph of our cause.
In the class of voters of which the Democratic
party of Florida s composed enthusiasm cannot be
manufactured to order In moment; II must be
worked up gradually and by degrees. This cannot
be done In a short campaign. Time and systematic
work are absolutely essential.
Our observation has taught US that starting of
with the lead is we'll nigh important In political
campaign az In horse or q boat race. The cOntes-
tant that starts In advance s very apt unless some
accident or other unexpected stroke Of good for
tune intervenes to retain his lead and win the race
We believe 1t to be the best policy for the Demo
cratic party Of Florida this year, as always to begin
need not be tedious. Let see that the longer It
lasts the hotter 1t shall get Let us infuse Into 1t
90 1t progresses greater vgor and additional enthu
sasm until 1t shall eliminate in such tremendous
uprising of our people shall overwhelm and BAN
Ism forever from our Stats the last vestige OF RepuD
licanism.