The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-08
THE TICKET AND PLATFORM.

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the platform is all things for all men. The
selection of Thurman Tor Vice-president is
in some respects shrewd one, though he will
bring no material strength to the ticket.
The hand of Cleveland is plainly seen in this.
His own denomination has been assured for
some time. Between the scarcity of presi-
Dental timber in the Democratic party, his
success in strangling the incipient booms OF
Others and an inscriptions exercise OF ex-
ecutive power, he had made himself the
only possible candidate. For second place
there was needed a man of different, and,
from . Democratic standpoint Of more,
character. Mr.. Cleveland is no fool. and
whatever he may think Of himself he
must know that large proportion OF
the Democratic party still regard him
as an accident of politics and political up
start. 1t was entirely natural that he should
desire the second place on the ticket to be
filled by man who would, to some extent,
disarm the objections made against himself.
and give weight and responsibility to the
ticket among a class of old-school Democrats.
Mr.. Thurman filled the bill. He is Demo
crat who has come down from former gen.
GRAFTON, and represents the rock-ribbed idea.
He was an anti-war Democrat, without any
offensive smell of powder about his clothes.
If he did not furnish a substitute, like Cleve-
land, it was because he was too old to be
statesman which could not hurt tick
ct otherwise devoid of them. He
was old enough to be pleased with
an offer of second place, and being long past
the age Of ambition or intrigue would not be
troublesome. Though much too old for a
Cabinet position he was quite young enough
for Vice-president. His nomination would
please the Democratic gray heads, and make
them believe they were still on the stage of
favor in Growers eyes, and therefore
was nominated. Viewed from the Cleve-
land standpoint, it is shrewd nomination,
but from popular standpoint not strong
one. The name of Mr.. Thurman viii not
help to carry any State, and we mistake the
temper of the people if before the campaign
has ended they do not become disguised with
the scheme of self-seeking and false pretense
represented by his nomination.
,J.kf>.xr. -o.d. HE ,k-;rc >J;xo,;.l
expressions from half q score of Democratic
organs trying to grind in unison without
knowing how. The result is q mass of wordy
platitudes. On the tariff question it makes
straddle which would be ridiculous if it were
not disgraceful. The platform of 1884, which
the party leaders have been vigorously de-
nouncing and damning for long time past as
cowardly and meaningless, is reafirmed, with
the addition that President Cleveland's free
trade message is 'its correct Interpretation"
In other words, his message is the correct in
depreciation of cowardly and meaningless
utterance. Was ever a party or candidate
placed in more ridiculous positionf This at
tempted straddle is the result of long con-
troversy between the free-trade and protection
wings of the party on the committee, and
foreshadows the position they will try to
assume in the campaign. 1t is an attempt to
face both ways, and to catch votes coming
and going. This juggling with words will
not deceive anybody. The platform of the
Democratic party on the tariff question is
already made and we'll understood. They
cannot denounce protection in Congress and
| favor it in the campaign. The message of
the President, which they now say correctly
defines their position, was vicious and saw
age attack on the policy of protec-
ton, and as strong an argument as
such q tyro and blunderer could make
in favor of free trade. Other parts of the
| platform win call for future comment. AS a
whole, it is diffuse in style and even more
tricky and demagogical than the average of
| Democratic platforms. In fact, cowardice,
| trickery and fraud are written all over the
convention and its proceedings. Ticket and
| platform bear the badges of false pretense
No national convention has ever met that
| marked lower ebb Of American politics, q
more complete surrender of personal manhood
| and more abject subservience to one-man
l xovar