The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-05-24

largo and = imposing . body - ever rs
semblsd in she Stats. Every coansy has
taken steps to b. well represented there,
and The interest manifested is hopeful
sign for the Democracy. No one can
doubt that the result will give entire sat
isfsction to the party, and inspire bar
monv and zeal in every section Of the
State. All conflicting preferences for
candidates which now exist will then be
laid aside, and the choice Of the Conven-
ton will become the choice of every good
Democrat.
It il we'll understood that the repre-
sentatives Of the party never had more
important work before them than
that which will confront them next
week. A Governor, six Administra-
tive Officers and Supreme Court are to
be put in nomination, besides the selec-
ton of Presidential Electors and dele
gates TO the National Convention.
In the nomination of State officers, fit
ness for the positions, combined with
availability as a candidate, will be the
governing test. Sectional claims and
party services-which may be considered
when all else is equal-must give way
to superior capacity for the Offices to be
filled. The candidate for Governor
should be a man who can grasp the
wants Of the State, and who is in full
sympathy with her people and her pro-
gress, whether he comes from the East,
the South, the Middle, ,or the West.
We assume that po:one can be the choice
of that convention for such an elevated
position who does not possess patriotism
and craftsmanship broad enough to take
in the whole State, let him come from
where he may, and who will not devote
himself equally to the promotion of every
interest, and to the welfare ofeverv por-
ton of the commonwealth.
1t would be reflection upon the party
and the State to suppose that one so mar
row-minded as to .serve one section or
one class of interests to the neglect or
detriment of another could be named
for that Office. Therefore, it may
be taken for granted, that more weight
will be given to the competency of the
candidate than to the fact that he halls
from any particular division Of the State.
And nothing should be done presumng
upon the weakness or Indifference
Of the enemy. From some cause, not
apparent to us, the Republicans seem to
be inspired with hope of success in the
State, and are gathering their forces for a
vigorous and spirited campaign. While
the unity, harmony and earnestness which
prevails all along the Democratic lines
show the futility of their hopes, and that
they are doomed to defeat, it behooves
US to guard against mistakes of any kind,
and to put into the field unobjectionable
candidates, and men who are equipped
for the contest.
The above is predicated on the be-
lief that a full ticket will be nomi-
mated at St. Augustine next week. We
are aware that there is disposition in
some quarters TO defer the selection Of
State candidates to a later period, SO as
to shorten the campaign, and give the
people more time to reflect upon the
merits Of probable candidates, and to give
them also an opportunity to be heard
from, when they will be better prepared
to decide who their standard bearers
shall be. Without questioning altogether
the force of these reasons, we are of the
opinion that the Convention will 90
through with the entire work for which it
was called. AS for the length of the
campaign, that will necessarily open when
the Convention at St. Louis acts, but our
canvassers need not enter the field
actively until August or September. In
regard to giving our people more time
for consideration, it may be said that the
delegates have now been selected with
power to act fully, if it should appear
proper to do SO. Now, if the views of
their constituents in respect to can.
didates are to be taken later, it is due
10 them that a new set of delegates be
selected to speak for them when they are
better prepared to declare their prefer
ences. To carry out this idea the Con-
vention must adjourn sine die, and not to
a given day-an event not likely to oc-
cur until the work is finished.
There is another view of this question
worth considering. The Executive Com.
mittee, in calling this Convention, desig.
mated the purpose for which it was to
meet, to-wit, (among other things) to
nominate candidates for State offices.
This is part of the powers entrusted
to them by the party, and it has been the
custom to leave that question to their dis.
cretion and it Is due to them,as we'll as to
the observance of time-honored rule, to
respect their call and act in obedience to
it. 1t is not probable that so full an at
tendance as this Convention will have can
be obtained again under four years at
least. So let it 60 on with the work, and
do those things which will promote the
success of the party, and consequently the
| best interest of the whole State.