St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-14
To-MORROW's CONVENTION.

That crisis in the history of Mime
nesota Democracy will be reached in
the convention which assemblies in this
city tomorrow is felt by all who have
observed the current of political events
within the last few months. To those
who only care to revel in the excitement
OF politics without any thought to the
consequences the assembling of the
state convention tomorrow has been
eagerly looked forward to as an eXcep-
tionally enjoyable occasion to be dis
tinguished for its intense fractional bit
terneSS and to be monkey -and-parrot
time generally. There are others, how
ever, by whom the occasion will be
viewed in a more serious light. Those
who are actuated solely by prin-
ciple. who have no enjoyment from
political excitement, and who take no
comfort in fractional wrangleS or in per-
sonal jealOusieS, are filled with more or
less apprehension. To their mind the
situation presents the aspect of crisis
in the history of the party, and upon
the determination of tO-morrOw's pro-
ceedings will depend the hope of Dem
ocratic success in this state.
When it is remembered that when
the sentiment of the people of this
state Is so largely in accord with the
doctrines of the national Democratic
party on the leading issue of the cam
palgn, it is hard to explain to those
who are unfamiliar with our local poll
tics why Minnesota cannot be counted
rp1iahln nnpn,rofio 10
To those of our own people who
have no political ambition beyond the
desire to secure the establishment of
Democratic principles it is a mystery
why the Democratic party in this state
cannot be relied on to do the right thing
and at the right time. But to those who
are acquainted with the selfish purposes
OF some of the prominent leaders of the
party, and who have observed the rule
or ruin policy they have adopted in their
party domination, it is not difficult
task to trace the causes that have led
up to the complications which now con-
front the party and menace the integ-
Tity OF the Democratic organization.
There has never been a time in the
history of the Democratic party in this
state when the prospect for success was
so bright as it is this year, provided wis
dom is displayed in the selection of
state ticket, and prudence is exercised
III the management of the campaign.
And yet there never was a time when
hopeful prospect could be so readily
blighted. A step in the right direction
can assure victory. A step in the wrong
direction will not only make defeat a
certainty, but will result in completely
SCATTERING all Democratic organization.
Thus it is the delegates who assemble
in convention tomorrow will be con-
frOnted with the grave responsibility of
deciding in what direction the step shall
be taken.
There is story told of CUSTER, the
dashing cavalry leader, that in certain
battle, when his troops were drawn up
III line rOady for a charge, another cav
airy officer, jealous of CUsTER's au-
thority, rode to the front of the line and
claimed the right to command the brig
ade. Addressing the ambitious officer.
CUSTER said: ''Gen. in one min
ute l shall give the command to charge.
You have stationed yourself in front of
my column. If you remain in your pres
ent position you will be ridden down as
sure as hell" AT a wave of CIJsTER,s
sword, the bugles rang out the signal
for the charge. the ambitious officer was
prudent to save his bacon by riding to
the rear, while CUsTER's men swept on
to splendid victory.
If in to-morrow's convention there be
persons who hold their Individual pro-
motion to be paramount to party unity,
then in all wisdom the convention can
only adopt CUsTER's tactics and bid
them stand aside or be ridden down by
the party as it sweeps on to victory.
THAT PUBLIC HAIL,