St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-30
DULUTH DEMOCRATS.
Organization For the Coming Presl-
Dental Campaign.
The Favorites in Duluth-The Condition
of the Party-Personal Notes.

require an exploring expedition.
Ihey existed, bat so few in numbers that the
average man went his way. and never knew
that one of the unterrifed was breathing the
bracing atmosphere Of the zenith. The
Democrats were like drops OF mercury on
smooth surface, individuals but without
conference. They shifted about unsteadily,
sometimes allying themselves with one or
the other faction, in which the
grand old party has been happily
divided for many years, and again stubborn
ly refusing to make any alliances with the
common enemy. Systematically and at
quadriennial intervals, the bugle horn was
sounded, and the men calling themselves
Democrats rallied to the polls, and cast their
ballots for one other president destined tc
get left.
But the old wheel horses never grew tired.
After each presidential election they settled
back to the chronic condition of Micawber,
and hoped for something to turn up. They
kept on hoping, for Duluth Democracy is not
different from the principle itself, it will not
die, and the persistency with which the
old Democrats of Duluth have clung
to the faith that was in them is
worthy of the highest praise. I was talking
recently to j. j. Hubbard, whose Democracy
is of that radical sort, that it goes to the roots
of every article of the faith, and carries every
| principle to its farthest extreme. He is a
free trader, anti-national banks, a stickler
for state rights, opposed to railroad grants,
and believes in the sovereign people every
time He says he is a Jacksonian Demo-
crat, and perhaps this is why he is never
without a hickory stick-the symbol of the
first. l asked him what the Democrats were
going to do this fall, especially in regard to
congressional matters. He shifted the hicll-
DRY stick from the right to the left hand, and
said: II don't know, but I want TO say that
| if Kindred comes out as an independent
candidate, he Will get my vote, and he is the
first man not an avowed Democrat for
whom ever dropped ballot into tin box.
1t is about time for the people of this district
to say who shall represent them, and unless
the politicians are forced to relax their hold
now the people are doomed. A ring managed
| by Gilman and Nelson will become the most
powerful this stdte has ever seen, because Of
Gilman's undoubted ability and Nelson's
nationality. l don't think the Democrats
can elect their own man, and if Kindred
runs as an Independent 1 am certain tia
the Democrats will support him.
''What is the condition of the party herel
1 asked.
Better than 1t has ever been, so far as
numbers are concerned, but no better in re-
gard to organization"
And on extending my inquiries, found
this to be the case. 1t is not difficult to find
a Democrat in Duluth now, but Democrat
ic party, with leaders and aims, has not, up
to this present week, existed. The increase
in numbers has come from the natural in
crease in population, and the character and
social standing of the new corners is such as
to lend might and dignity to the party, if or
ganized. They have felt the necessity of
combining, and by the end of the current
week Democratic club will be orga nized,
with a membership of at least two hundred
to begin with.
1t is pretty safe to say that on a strict party
vote the Democrats OF Duluth may nearly, if
not entirely, equal the Republicans, but the
difficulty is to get the full vote out This
has been owing to the lack of leaders. De
mocracy, up In this nick of the woods, is
very modest and retiring, and although there
are fat offices within reach the followers Of
Jackson seem to prefer watching the Repub-
lican factions fighting for them rather than
taking them themselves.
But they are getting over this. They be-
gin to see their strength and are anxious to
use it. The action of the Fergus Falls con-
vention has simplifed matters for them, and
many OF them are looking forward to the next
congressional contest with ardent hope
Of success. Many of them!would prefer Frazer
to Kindred, as peoples candidate but if it
is to be the latter, he will have more strength
among them than two years ago. Then they
were piyided, and a number voted for Bar
mum, although the Graves ring of the Re-
publicans furnished the ushers at the meet
ing at which Barnum spoke. These men
feel that they were fooled, and among Demo
Gratis, it is anything to beat Nelson.
On national matters, Duluth Democrats
are unanimous for Tilden. OF the $50
whose names were signed to the call for or
ganization, every man said his first choice
was the Sage of Gramcrcy.
They believe that he can be
elected again as he was elected
before, and the delegates to Chicago WI be
instructed accordingly, at least if st. Louis
county has any say.
And on this matter Of delegates there may
be just enough strife to quicken Democratic
blood. Duluth feels that it should have one
of the two from this district, and furnishes
two candidates.
The first In the field IS P. n. Graft, mem
Der Of the mill firm of Graf, hurry 81 Rob
bins Graft is young man of Pennsylvania
Dutch stock with good deal OF rush, and
1t is quietly whispered, not without ambition.
He wants to 90 to Chicago, as a representative
of Duluth Democracy, and as he ia
handsome young man, he would not be
a bad,one. One of his brothers comes up as
q delegate from Pennsylvania, and is Of
course for Randall, but the Duluth Graft will
not necessary be for him unless he is the
choice of the convention.
Crafts competitor for the place, Chas d'Au-
fremont, Jr., young lawyer of French ex-
traction, hailing from the interior of New
York state, and is an original and persistent
advocate of Tilden. dAutremont has per-
sonal acquaintance with many of the New
York leaders and is not without skill as
politician himself
The rivalry between the two contestants is
not bitter, although each is
, very anxious to 90, but
Graft has the advantage Of longer acquaint-
ance in the district. The county convention
will be called about the end of the week, and
the Democratic campaign viii be begun, SO
far as keeping the forces in line can be con.
sidered campaign work.
If a peoples candidate for congress should
be nominated in this district, it would be
good thing for the Democrats of Duluth. All
are now convinced that no Democrat, as
such canbe elected, but a man who is not
; the nominee Of convention, viii
get their hearty and full practical purposes,
; unanimous support. K. j. NJ.