The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-22
AN EARLY CONVENTION.

The Democratic National Committe W
meet at Washington on the 22d inst. to fix
the date and place for holding the Presi-
Dental Convention. There has been full
discussion OF the relative advantages OF the
several cities competing for the conven-
ton, the net result of which appears, at
this writing, to be favorable to Chicago.
The claims of Indianapolis seem to have
made strong impression upon some Of
the members of the committee, and it is
probable that il proper effort had been
made, the convention could have been Sc
cured for this city. 1t is now,
of course, too late to do any
thing effective in this direction,
although it is not impossible that the
committee finding itself unable to decide
between the conflicting claims of New
York and Chicago, will set them both aside
aud call the convention at Indianapolis.
Tnis would be very hsppy solution of
the problem, and one that would uhques-
tionsbly rebound to the benefit of the
party at the election.
Perhaps a more important matter than
the location Of the convention Is the time
OF holding 1t. Shall it meet before or
after the Republican convention? For
many years the Democrats have in
variably held their convention later
than their opponents, and perhaps,
when the party was out of power,
this was a wise policy. As q minority
party the Democrats were governed to q
large extent In formulating their plat
forms and selecting their candidates by
the course pursued by the Republicans in
these matters. 1t was thought to be the
part of political wisdom to defer organi-
zation for the campaign, so that the party
might profit by the mistakes and plumbers
of its adversaries. But the conditions
have changed now, and the methods OF the
Democratic party should be changed to
conform to them. Democracy is in the
sscendency. 1t controls the executive de-
partment of the government and the popr
Jar branch Of Congress. 1t has nearly one
half of the United States Senate, and o
majority Of the State executives. 1t has
tle prestige of a clean, vigorous and sue
cessful administration to fortify it for the
approaching contest. Its policy upon the
great overshadowing issue of the lay has
been clearly defined by the man
who holds the unchalleDged leadership Of
the organization. The popular response to
his ringing demand for the repeal Of the war
taxes has been one of emphatic and spon.
taneous approval. With the standard
bearer of the Democratic party unmistak-
ably indicated by the logic of events and
the voice Of the people, and its attitude
upon the commanding question OF the
hour unalterablY fixed, it is obviously the
dictate of the highest political sagacity to
hold an early convention and inaug-
urste, without unnecessary delay, an
aggressive campaign all along the line.
Happily there is no occasion this year for
the Democracy to wait upon the move
ments of the enemy. Our adversaries are
divided, demoralized and discouraged, and
their only hope for success in November is
in some serious blunder on the part of the
Democracy. The latter clearly hold the
key to the situation. They have all the
advantages of position, and it only remains
for them to force the fighting upon the is
sue raised in President Cleveland's mes.
sage, and q triumphant victory is assured
in advance. An early convention, a short
ringing platform, an acceptable nomina
ton for the second place on the ticket
with these and an efficient campaign or
ganization. the Democratic party will bt
] impregnable.