The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-07-17

The Two Chicago Conventions.

A comparison of the two National Conven-
tons lately held at Chicago is instructive. as
illustrating the different methods of the two
parties. The Republican convention was made
up of delegates chosen directly by the people,
and its rules We're so framed as to give express
sion to the popular will. The Democratic con
vention adhered to the unit rule, by which the
, voice of the minority is stited. The Republic
can convention was harmonious. The Demo-
cratic convention WIS the reverse. In the
/ latter body Tammuny and Gen. Butler threw
! their tire-brand> regardless Of consequences
/ and predicted in advance the defeat of CleYe-
/ land, who was finally selected as the Demo-
cratic standard bearer. The Republican con-
/ ventlon was enthusiastic beyond description,
according 10 the New York Herald correspond
ent, and the same writer found gread lack of
enthusiasm in the Democratic convention. A.
this correspondent was 4 Cleveland and an
anti Blaine man he should be accepted as good
authority on this score. Hendricks, who was
given the second place on the ticket. received
more applause than Cleveland. while the friends
of the defeated candidates lost all interest in
I
gu>tcd.
/ The idea evidently was to revive the Old
ticket of 1876, with Cel Gland rs 'rden> resid-
uary egatee. and to make that ii prominent
issue. Republicans will gladly meet them on
that ground. 1t will afford further oppor-
tunity to enlighten the people as to shotgun
I electioneerin@ and Bourbon ballot box >tutiiug
] in the SDuth and rs tp fFilipn's Ia huy
an eector in Oregon. Barnum'> mot +. T }
/ mules will also be exhibited again and the fact
made clear that the Electoral Commission bill
was Il Democratic measure, sanctioned by lead
ing Democrats and supported by a majority of
the Democrats in the Senate and House. When
they attack that Commission they attack their
own work.
I The platform Of the Democratic convention
is stump speech in which the Republican par
ty is accused of all sorts of crimes both Of
/ omission and commission; but in reality it is q
formidable arraignment of the Democratic
t party, ii we judge that party'S practices by its
promises. For example. as the Bangor Wing
points out: THE Democrats say that they fay
or honest civil service reform. but they defeat
such men as Senator Pendeton, of Ohio. who
was not returned to the next Senate because he
advocated this very principle. They say they
favor the free diffusion of education, and vet
the late Democratic House defeated bill that
had this very object in view. They say they
I are opposed to monopoly, and vet their candi-
date is designated by men who usually vote the
Democratic ticket as monopolist, and theS
will not support him OF. that account. They
pretend to be in favor of pensonng the Union
soldiers, and yet the Democratic House lust
/ killed bill that was intended to aid disabled
soldiers and the widows and orphans of sol
| diers." And so of heir declaration fora free
ballot and IA fair count" which, viewed in the
/ light of the recent Danville massacre, the Co
piah county murders. and of the history of
elections in the South generally, is brazen
mockery. The tariff question is straddled, as
was to be expected. A declaration on one side
or the other would have caused bolt and so
the issue is evaded. But platforms practically
amount to nothing, save in the case of a party
which practices what it breaches. That the
! Democratic party does not do. Ii will be
judged in the coming election on its record and
/ will be overwhelmingly defeated on that rec