Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-01

As q chain is no stronger than its
weakest link, and machine no stronger
than It's weakest point, so even a great
national party has to base its efforts TO
secure future success upon what can be
safely calculated upon in the weakest Of
the States whose votes are necessary to
Its triumph.
The strife in Indiana within the Dem
ocratic party has naturally led Demo
cratic statesmen TO inquire whether the
Democratic National Convention would
do well TO nominate the candidate for
Vice President from that State. The
Democratic State Convention Of Indiana
last week recommended Governor ISAAC
i. GRAY, Of that State, for Nice-Presi-
dent; but almost simultaneously Mr.
McDoNALD, generally supposed to be
fhe most influential Democrat in lDdi-
hna-ccrtainly the most influential one
in private life-wrote letter and pub
lshed it in which he denounced Cover
nor GRAY as mere seli-seeker having
no principles except to use JOIN RAN
poLrH's illustratiom the loayes and
fishes.
The solid South cast in 1884 1853 Of
Che POI electoral votes which were ne
cessary to choice of President and Vice
President New York cast 80, Indiana
j., New jersey 9, and Connecticut 6.
it thus appears that if Mr.. CLEVELAND
carries New York. New Jersey, and Con
necticut this wear, as well as the solid
South, he can be elected without the
vote Of Indiana. But can the Demo
Gratis afford 10 drive their party-carriage
that near to the edge of a precipice?
Tie vote Of New York added to that of
the solid South ia not strong enough TO
elect Mr.. CLEVELAND. The total would
he ls9, whereas 201 votes are required.
New York and New Jersey cast only Al
votes when IS are needed. New York,
New Jersey, and Connecticut must be
carried, or else New York and Indiana
in addition, OF course, to the solid
South.
IF Mr.. CLEVELAND shall lose Now
York be will Lose the presidency, of
course. So We might say if he shall lose
tho solid South he will be defeated. But
weassume that he will certainly carry New
York and the solid South, leaving II votes
o. he obtained elsewhere, and We are
met at once by the question. where can
thcse II certainly be obtained Pas
certainly rs can be obtained the 1S9
votes Of New York and the solid South
New jersey and Connecticut are
doubtful States. TO lose either one Of
them, and also Indiana, would, We re-
peat, be to lose the presidency. 1t fol-
lows that the Democrats can take no rick
in the matter Of making nomination
for Vlce-President A candidate from
some other State would be more apt to
carry Indiana than would Governor
GRAY if the followers of Mr.. MCDONALD
are as numerous as some persons say
they are. By the way, We think FITz
LEE could carry Indiana.
and yet it is said that Mr.. CLEVELAND
himself wishes Governor GRAY TO he put
on the ticket with himself. II this ru
NOR prove to be true, it may help Gov
eruor GRAY in the Democratic National
Convention, but it will damage Mr..
CLEVELAND in Indiana Mr., CLEVELAND,
however, is not in the habit Of inter
fering in such matters, and the report |
may he unfounded.
After all, the reliance of the Demo |
cracy must be upon the good sense OF
the masses everywhere-in Indiana as in
all the other States. All personal pre-
ferences and prejudices must be subor-
dinated to the good of the organization
as a whole. or, in other words, to the
good of the whole country.