The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-11

On the ID Of this month of July two
state conventions were h(1d in the United
States, with incidents and results that are
instructive and suggestive in more respects
than one. The differing results in one re-
spect imply that Republicans have much
to learn from their political opponents Id
regard TO tsnacity Of purpose. In another
respect they are . rebuke to the alleged
purpose of the United States Senate to al
low the federal elections bill to go over to
the next session, or perhaps indefinitely.
One OF these was Republican conven-
ton in the Democratic state of Georgia.
The other was Democratic convention in
the Republican state OF Pennsylvania. In
Georgia. ct the last presidential election,
Cleveland had plurality of 60.0o3 over
Harrison. In Pennsylvania, at the same
election. Harrison had plurality of 70, 452
over Cleveland. Judged by this test Penn
syivania is by about 30 per cent q stronger
Republican state than is Georgia Demo-
cratic state, saying nothing about sup
pressed opposition votes in either case.
These being the facts, it would appear to
be about as hopeless, or more so. for the
Democrats ID overcome the Republican
majority in Pennsylvania as for the Re-
publicans to overcome the Georgia plural
ity. But the Georgia convention, after the
people had taken the trouble to elect its
members. and after the people had gone to
the trouble and expense of attending.
looked over the ground and resolved that
1t was ''inexpedient and useless for them
to put ticket in the field. So much for
the Georgia Republican convention.
But in Pennsylvania, with a far larger
plurality to combat, the result in the DEM
ocratic convention was the very antithesis
OF this. There was no question of exne-
diency. Not only was ticket put up.
but there was an animated struggle for
the nominations. And the enthusiasm was
scarcely less than in the Republican con.
vention OF week previous, whose nomina-
tons were equivalent 10 an election. These
men. facing an 5000 majority, could not
have been distinguished by their actions
from Ike body with certainty or good
prospect Of success. And every year for
more than quarser..century similar scenes
have been enacted by Democratic conven-
tons in Vermont, which there is no more
chances OF their carrying, than there is
that every Democrat in the state will be
struck BY lightning On election day.
These facts and incidents teach a lesson
which Republicans might probably apply
everywhere and under all circumstances.
But they more eloQasnfiy teach the differ.
ence between election methods and conai-
tons in the North and South. In the
North, no matter how much in the minor
ity, the Democrats know that all there are
OF them can vote freely, and that their
votes viii be fairly counted. Therefore
they are never without hope. Therefore
they never fail TO stand up to be counted.
Under such circumstances they deem it
not hopeless TO combat majority of 50. 900.
But with the Georgia Republicans it is diff
ferent No matter how many votes thev
may cast, their case is hopeless, ana the
more they cast the greater the mockery.
And yet. ii the conditions were eversed.
the Democrats would still cast their votes
ard leave the other side to count them out.
And they would keep it up until the crack
OF doom. 1t IS really the manlier way.
But the Senate should not hesitate about
protecting those Georgia Republicans
against being counted on,.