New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-06
THE LINES OF BATTLE.


The Democratic line of battle was determined
before the first delegate arrived in st. Louis.
The ratification meeting called convention
proceeds according to orders. The scenic rep
resentation is placed npon the boards with an
attention to spectacular effect and an indiffer-
cnce to expense which Kiralfy may admire but
cannot surpass, even with his 300 picked young
women in the ballet. There is show of fight
about the Vice-Presidency, and another show
of fight about the platform, and Senator Cor
man and Baron Scott, both trusted agents OF
the same President, go through the motions OF
single combat before an excited audience.
Meanwhile, the real business was finished be-
fore the private wire from the White House at
Washing to the Convention Hall in st. Louis
was put up and prepared for operation. Mr..
Cleveland made himself the inevitable candi-
date of the Democratic party, and made his
message the inevitable platform of that party,
by his own act last December. His choice for
Vice President was announced less than week
ago, and a submissive convention will yell APP
prevail His choice for chairman of the Exec
utive Committee is privately known and will
be accepted.
Mr.. Thurman's nomination will give the Dem
Of'A~t
will no. even help in Indiana. The fact is that
Mr.. Thurman has never been especially strong
in either State. He will help the party to poll
large vote in the Pacific States, and in States
where the railrOad-hating fanaticism runs high.
This is Mr.. Clevelands answer to the with
drawal of Mr.. Blaine. There was no prospect
of Democratic success in Pacific States or Min
nesota with Mr.. Blaine the Republican candi-
date. Now that he is not in the field Presi-
dent Cleveland thinks it worth while 10 make
the most of Democratic chances in those quar-
tiers. An evasive platform, and an unlimited
campaign fund, supplied by foreign manufact-
urers and importers, are expected to secure
New ork, New Jersey and Connecticut. The
Solid South will do the rest.
This Democratic plan of battle has its strong
points, and the Republican party may as we'll
take the full measure of them, for they are of
the highest Importance as guide-posts, showing
the only path by which Republicans can march
to victory Sound generalship attacks the
weakest point. A Republican attack which
might carry the Pacific States, Minnesota, Wis
consin and Indiana would leave the party
beaten if Mr.. Cleveland should carry New
York, Connecticut and New-Jersey with 81
electoral votes, which added to 1853 from the
South would give him 204, or three more than
enough TO weaken on the tariff question, to
fritter away force in counting additional
strength in the far West where the party has
the better chance in every State already, as re-
cent election returns indicate, would not make
the party stronger in the decisive Eastern States
but might make it fatally weaker there New
York is President Cleveands weakest point.
A Republican attack which will carry New
York and Indiana, with 81 electoral votes.
will certainly win. A Republican attack which
will carry New York, New-Jersey and Con-
necticut will almost certainly win.
II happens fortunately for wise Republican
selection that the Democrats and the Mug
Democrats are going to count upon New Orx
and Indiana as safe, and to fish for success in
California, Oregon, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The Mugwumps have kindly made it plain that
they will support no Republican candidate
whatever against Mr.. Cleveland. ANY selec-
ton intended to please them would be waste
Of strength. Any selection tending to weaken
the Republican attack on the tariff question in
Eastern States would involve great probability
of defeat. The St. Louis platform will count
for nothing, and Mr.. Cleveland's message for
everything when the fight gets hot, if the Re-
publicans so nominate as to appeal strongly to
the voters Of Eastern doubtful States and In
diana. In these four States they can win sc
electoral votes and the Presidency, with Mr..
Cleveland's message and the Mills bill to make
the issue definite, if they meet that issue with
appropriate nominations.