Arizona silver belt., 1888-03-03
TIE rMo.TMlRps RsLE.

Cochran and other leadlng Democrats are in league for the purpose of de- feating the nomination of Cleveland. Their plan IS to work up anti.Cleve- land delegations from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, specially, and from all other States where an oppor- tunity is presented. They think with strong opposition from the three States named, Cleveland can not be renem. mated, especially as 1t requires two thirds vote to nominate.
 That rule became part of the Dem scratic creed in 1886, and has been adhered to by every Democratic Ma tional Convention since that date and, therefore, is not likely to be revoked by any force that Cleveland can com mand. The effect of that rule was ap- parent and resulted in the defeat of Martin Van Buren's nomination, as it was intended it should do. He en- tered the convention with clear ma lority et twenty, and would have been the nominee instead of James K. Pelk, dark horse, had it not been for the adoption of the two-thirdS rule, Mr. Van Buren was the fayarite sf the party, as Cleveland is now, but not withstandlng that fact many delegates who were instructed to vote for mm, were his secret political foes, and con spired with his open opponents to de- feat him by voting with them for the rule which required two.thlrds of the vote to effect nomination. Seven pallets were cast for Mir. Van Buren, after which, deeming his case hope less, his friend Benjamin F. Butler, by his authority, withdrew ms name. James Buchanan and Cave Johnson were in the eonsplriey and were re- warded by President Polk, the former by appointment as Secretary of State, and the latter as Postmaster General On General Saunders, the mover oi the two-thirds rule, was conferred a foreign mission.
 The effect of the two-thirds rule was far reaching. 1t not only fractured the Democratic party but resulted Tn  war with Mexico, by reason of the election of Polk, and awakened sen tIment against slavery, as stated by $ s, Cox, "akin in degree and intensity to that which Peter the Hermit aroused against Mussulmen occupants of the Holy Iand-ths deflers of thu Holy Sepulchre." It also led to tn, candidacy of Mir Van Buren on thu Free Soil" ticket, and the defeat o the Democratic party, under the lead ership of General Cass, in 1848, It i nevertheless a good rule and should be adhered to, and If the Democracy of Arizona is wise they will adopt i  as a preventative agalnst packing con ventions by unpiincipled politicians as was the case in thls Territory il 1886.
 The Democracy will no doubt asser itself in the convention to bs held il St. Lotus on the 9th of June next, fo the nomination of President and Vic President. The leaven of discontsnt became manifest in the Democrat National Committee, assembled il Washington, D. C., on the 23d ult when Scott, of Pennsylvania, who Wa on the committee as Cleyeland's bes friend, and was humiliatsd by failin to induce the committee to acqulesc in the Presidents wishes as to th time of holding the convention. Hr however, succeeded in securing rt consideration of the vote fixing tn date of meeting of the convention, an by changing from Chicago to St. Leui Thus was the influence of the rlYi cities brought to bear against Sa Francisco, Scott imprudently amour eng that Cleveland would not acceI a nomination if the convention WI taken to San Francisco.
 The reason for this antipathy to u Pacific coast is unaccountably strane and may result in absolving man Democrats from party allegiance the event of Cleveland becoming u nominee of the party, but of whiC there is reasonable doubt, as tn, announcement will doubtless aC strength to the Hill and Randall con bination in the effort to name son other person than Cleveland, (who
 not the only statesman in the part
 for the Presidency, and it IS not me
 tbat the dictum of one man should allowed to stife public opinion, n do ws believe that the Democrat party is so wanting in self-respect
 to allow it, and, if it does, it mu bear Tn mind that bolt is always
 order.
 The National Democratic Commt
 tee met in Washington, D. C., on t
 22d ult. Eight of the members ho
 hlgh appointiYe positions by the gra