Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-06-20
FOR THOUGHTFUL
CONSIDERATION


Daily does the position of a delegate to
the Chicago Democratic Convention be-
come more and more responsible one,
for every day does the revolt against
Blaine in his own party seem to take more
definite shape and gain more menacing
strength. In searching for the best way
in which to meet what now seems to be
demand by the majority of the people of
all politics for better nomination than
that made by the Republicans at Chicago,
the Democ ratio National Convention
must exercise wisdom in examining the
situation which gave birth to that de-
mand. 1t is true it is much palmer
way just to 60 ahead without regard to
events, frame a Democratic platform,
put Democrat on it, and then sound the
old bugle call to battle. 1t will bea wiser
if not palmer way to put up platform
which shall not only be Democratic but
shall not only be Democrat, but satisfy
by the purity of his character, and sound
ness on those practical questions which
are now of so much importance-thatl large
Independent element which is waiting to
see which party, it either, it will support.
1t is well known to those who interest
themselves about politics that neither of
the great political parties has majority
of the voters of the American people, and
that the existence of an independent par
ty, under one name or another, has made
the two regular parties more careful than
they would otherwise be. But for this
Grant would have been nominated for
third term; but for this Blaine, the
present nominee, would have been nomi-
mated at Cincinnati, and but for this indie
pendent element the American Democra-
cy would now have but little show of VIC
tory at the coming Presidential election. 1t
is through this independent element that
much strength will be lost to the Repub.
lican party. 1t is the Gut come of the iron
machine rule which has controlled that
organization and which has persistently
stifed and kept under all the better ele-
ment of the party. The revolt has long
been brewing and is not mushroom of
a day. Four years ago there was strong
symptom of 1t against Garfield and some
prominent men openly bolted. The De-
mocracy at that time with the stupidity
of mule, adopted tariff for revenue
only'' platform and proceeded to run the
Presidential race tail end foremost. The
alarmed and detected Republicans, after
incredulously staring at such inexplicable
stupidity on the part of their opponents,
became convinced that it was the real ar
ticle of stupidity and no cunning ambush;
started lively campaign, cudgeled the
Democratic party with its own platform
and won the race with ease. There had
been strong revolt against Garfield, but
1t was against the man and not in favor
of such folly as Henry Watterson procured
form. The Watterson donkey had with
its own heels kicked the Independents out
of its following.
Fate is steadily pursuing the Republi-
can party to it's end, otherwise there is no
explanation of its folly in making, only
four years after its narrow escape in 1880,
another nomination which has brought
on another rebellion. This time the re-
bellion is larger, stronger. land best of all, is
taking the shape OF organization. This
time also it is we'll delivered defiance by
) the Republican machine to those Repub-
licans who don't like its ways, to try their
strength against it. 1t is a defiance
that would not have been delivered but
for the dissensions made apparent in the
Democratic party during the past winter.
To the average Republican machine man
the Democracy of this country appeared
to have taken rest from all intention of
assisting in governing the nation for some
time to come. To him the Presidency
was up to the highest Republican bidder,
whether the tender offered was craft, Chi
-canery or gold, all of which were literally
used at Chicago. Now the scene has
changed. The boldest bidder has secured
the draft on the n alton but resistance is
to be offered to its being honored. The
Democracy which was not counted in the
Chicago speculation is beginning tG loom
up as the arblter of the day. AS far as
any man can see the unexpected has come
to pass and the Democratic party is likely
in four years after it's mistake to be in a
position to name the President.
How will the new situation be met?
First, it must be understood that the tar
if struggle, of which Messrs. Carlisle and
Randall are the recognized leaders, must
cease. Let it be RENTED to the people of
the districts to be settled by them. If it
be intended that madness shall rule the
hour then let the question be experiment.
ed on in the platform in the direction of
free trade; let the Republican lndepen-
dents be given to understand that the De-
mocracy is trying an experiment of its
own, the trial to last through some time,
and that until it is settled we want no aid
from the outside: let them understar d
that they have nowhere to 60 for pure
Executive, for an honest reform of the
government and for breaking up the rings
which have coiled themselves around the
government, except to their own Indep en-
dent faction, and that the Democracy
cannot accept their assistance. Such a
platform at Chicago will get an immediate
and positive answer; the Independents,
except the Republican free traders, will
be back in the Blaine ranks, the political
waters will be still, and there will be hard
ly ripple to show that they were lately
disturbed by storm that threatened the
defeat of the worst party that ever con-
trolled the affairs of the Union.
About the candidate of the Democracy
there is no trouble. OF the men who have
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