The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-07-17
The National Conyention.

The machine order of the preceding |
convention stands out as against the |
freedom and independence character
izing the democratic delegates. The |
only struggle with the republicans
was as to the men. While we all
know that they are widely asunder on
the tariff and other economic ques-
tions, as much so, indeed, as the dem
ocrats, yet not whimper of discus
sion was allowed, and an iron-clad
rule excluded all reference to sub
jects which might irritate. The
democratic convention plunges
headlong into all matters vital
to the campaign. There is no
attempt at concealment, no indica-
ton of double purpose. All is open
and above board. There are men in
the convention strongly committed to
tariff reform-the majority indeed
are-there are others there who oppose
it, who are even pronounced protec-
tionists. These will all be heard and
the majority will govern. However,
the only serious threat of discord
comes from the Tammany hosts who
lowered the curtain of defeat over
the democracy four years since. The
convention did not hesitate, however,
to set down on that body and its bold,
reckless and corrupt chief with unc-
tion.
The Cleveland men strong and
united are still fair and honorable,
and the claims of all others are fairly
and impartially considered. The views
and interests of the south stand with
equal chance beside those ofthe north.
The echoes of that wonderful contest
which filled the south with woe, four
years since, and the world with wonder,
have died out, and are heard no more
in the convention of the national
democracy. Men and theories stand
before it stripped Of all prejudice, and
their merits alone grade them. This
is a hopeful sign for the future, sure
promise of success in the active STIR
ring present. This ASSEMBLING of the
clans is also an earnest of the
deathless character of the prin-
ciples of the democracy. The old
party faith is restated and re.
enacted as it was fifty years since
The fundamental principles of free
government of human liberty and the
elevation of the citizen remain to-day
as they did half century ago. 1t is
only necessary that representative
bodies of the national democracy re.
state, there is no necessity to create
principles. There has been no con-
tingency in all our later party history
which has not been seen and provided
for in advance by the great founders
of the party. This lightens and eases
the burdens upon the back of the Chi.
cago convention. 1t is plain sailing
for the delegates.
Thurman develops strength but hi
also developes opposition, so, too, Of
Cleveland and all other prominent
men, including the peerless paladiI
of democracy, the grand senator from
Delaware. These differences are dis
cussed without bitterness, without
prejudice, and apparently with ONT
object solely,-that of finding thu
best man. All eyes are turned anxi
ously, yet hopefully, towards Chicago
The confidence in the intelligence O.
that body, no less than in its devotion
to the true principles of democracy
is strong, is implicit, and the ticket
it will give the people, and the
platform it will promulgate, will
be enthusiastically adopted, ant
ratified by the masses of the
party everywhere. There will be
no bcl'ing, no 'bucking," but
our enthusiastic sentiment will ami
mate every breast throughout all the
hosts of democracy, and success will
be assured from the start. Mr.. Blaine
and his desperate hackers witness
these signs of harmony and earnest
determination within the dark shad.
ow of approaching and impending
defeat. Before this solid array OF
sound time-tried principles and deep
ly earnest, patient men, the sham and
dramatic tinsel and sheet iron thun.
der of the republican campaign cuts
but sorry figure indeed
Lilliput and Broddignag COM
ort each other and the
| pigmy goes down before the man. So
far the Chicago convention by its
manly attitude, its frankness and by
the open candor of all its posi-
lions teaches that no one man,
and no combination of men can
sway or direct it's course. 1t comes
fresh from the people and with the
seal and stamp of the popular appro-
val full upon it. It has no task mas
tiers, no overseers and no drivers. 1t
is the assembled manhood of the
party acting together for the one
grand object of wrestling this govern
ment from the hands of the corrup-
tionists and to that great end all else
must bow. Personal ambitions, per-
sonal prejudices and personal prefer
ences must give way to the one
great neceSsity-the defeat and entire
disruption of the republican party.
The Chicago democratic convention
of 'S4 will mark an era in the party
history. II will show that the demo-
cracy can sacrifice to the national
good all of the selfish ambitions and
purposes of even its most petted and
pampered favorites. This will give
us the national government, and we
will hold it just as long as the party
will remain clean, unselfish and in
corruptible, and no longer. Nor
should 1t hold power moment after
is incompetency and unfaithfulness
is demonstrated.