Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-17
FOR CONGRESS, SIXTH DISTRICT
REEL Ii. TERRY, of Fresno.
A Lowering Politica, outlook.

Probably no Presidential campaign in
American political annals ever opened
with such gloomy auspices for party as
that which led up to the nomination OF
Harrison and Morton. The unques-
toned choice of the Republican masses
was James G. Blaine. Let his demerits
be what they may, he was the only
Republican leader who had ghost of a
show of exciting any popular enthusiasm.
The Plumed Knight could have had the
nomination by lifting his little finger.
He did not want it. The truth of the
matter is that he thought there was
small chances Of his success in 1884 and
none at all in 1888. This is the real
inspiration of his Florence letter. He
knew we'll that if Cleveland could beat
him in 1884 with the bugbear of a
financial crisis, SO long inculcated
as the result of Democratic triumph,
and with factional feuds in the Dem
ocracy Of New York City of long stand
ing and unhealed, in 1888 the splendid
leader of the Democratic party would
simply overwhelm him, coming before
the people, as he does, with the prestige
OF an administration unsurpassed for
patriotism and with not sign of Demo-
cratic dissension discoverable in any por-
tion of the United States.
The Republican National Convention
met at Chicago with the portentous cloud
OF Blaine's absolute unwillingness to be
its standard-bearer lowering over it. In
the bewilderment incident to such a
dilemma they set about to do the very
worst thing possible under the circum-
stances. 1t will scarcely be disputed
by any intelligent man that the labor
element of the United States has become
a most potential factor in our politics.
The wage-earners during the past ten
years have had an education in practical
politics which is one of the most whole
some signs of the times. Any party
which demonstratively excites the ami
mostly of this element is certain to 90
down.
1t was under such circumstances that
the Republican party proceeded to make
the very worst nominations they could
possibly have made. One of the most
formidable candidates before the Conven-
tion, Chauncey M. Depew, was a railway
president. That body quickly showed
its lack of sympathy with the aspirations
of Republican workingmen by repudiat-
ing the quite strong claims of Judge
Gresham, who would have made very
strong nominee. But they did more and
worse than that. They proceeded to
place in nomination for the first place
ON the ticket man who was a rail
way attorney, and who had ostenta-
tiously antagonized the cause of labor at
every stage of its contest with entrenched
capital. Gen. Harrison's record on this
issue is too pronounced to admit of gloss.
With the Pacific Coast almost equally d.
vided politically, and liable to be deter
mined in their preferences by the merest
trifie, they nominated for President a
man who has shown himself to be in ia
yor of the Chinese. To cap the climax
of their disregard Of the preferences of
the people of this Coast, they nominated
for Vice President Levi P. Morton, a New
York and London banker who, during
his career in Congress, uniformly voted
against our silver interests.
laundering was never carried to a
greater extent than by this National Con.
vention. Already the wage-earners have
themselves of Harrison's
record and are affiliating with the
Democracy. This work is proceeding
with enthusiasm. 1t reaches from New
York to the Rocky Mountains, and no.
vhere is it more universal or more prom
sing of disaster to Harrison than in his
'wn State of Indiana. The Labor Sionol
1 Indianapolis, the leading organ of the
Of the Hoosier State, is on his |
rack with hot vehemence. 1t will be |
ard, indeed, to convince men who have
'atched Harrison's career that the leo
ard can change his spots all at once.
No wonder, in view OF such ticket,
le betting is running at the East two to
ne on Cleveland and Thurman. Betting
loyss nothing, but whom keen sports
20 ond u1en q busipess are willing to !
Z = = y. =. 4 /.