The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-05-02
Watterson on New York Politics.

From the Louisville Courier-Jourual.
The sun and the New York Herald, and. for the
matter Of that most OF the newspapers Of the Empire
state have deal 10 say about the importAn ce Of the
vote Of that great commonwealth 10 the Democratic
party This Is true enough. New York being, after
A fashion, a Democratic state, the Democratic party
has constantly 70 consider how it may be prevented
from turning itself over % the Republicans; the
which the local Democratic factions have variousy
but invariably threatened every four years.
In each Of the three last National Democratic
Conventions New York has appeared as a disturbing
element in that Of 1855 not above board indeed, but
the elements ofdssension were there, and. as II to
preserve the record. it was New Yorks member Of
the platform committee who, after the platform had
been % all appearance and understanding unani-
mously adopted insisted upon breaking this unan-
unity by an noppOrtuuc and discOrdant protest in
open convention.
In the conventions Of 1876 and 1850 the spectacle
presented by New York was disgraceful.
The truth l. that New York. from sheer force Of
pressure aud habit. seems 70 be incapable Of ad-
dressing any other argument TO the Democracy Of
the country except as composed In equal part OF
menace and money. To browbeat and cajole, TO
threaten and cntice is the usual stock in trade Of
the average New York politician and the Democrats
Of the West aud south mighty tired of it. They
apprehcnd the value Of the vote OF New York as a
factor in the general election They realize its P0-
tency in a national convention. As rule they are
not unwilling to buy i-since It only be had by
purchase-pr ded il does not cost too much. But
they don't like to be bulied Into this every time a
national convention meets to select national
ticket and it is quite sure that If in that Of 1892 New
York attempts the old game, it VIII be found inef-
fectual having played itself out and being thor
Oughly exposed.
Except in 1876 there has been no election since
1868 when an outside nominee would not have been
stronger in the state Of New York than an actual
nominee who has been either New Yorker or a
quasi New Yorker. Mr. Tilden was the one excep-
ton.
In 1881 Gen. Hancock, soldier living on Coy
errors Island but unused to the arts Of political
warfare. was easily cheated out Of the vote Of New
York
In 1881 SIR. Cleveland would have lost 1t except
for a chapter Of political accidents by which he was
pulled through literally by the hair Of his head
Any outsider would have run stronger; because any
candidate except him would have had within New
York a united Mugwump support, while the Mug
wumps being irrcvocably committed against Blaine.
could have gone anywhere else.
In a word rs long as New York is the abode Of
faction New York candidates must in the very
nature Of the case prove weak candidates.
The Democrats Of the country have nothing but
good will for the Democrats OF New York, They
are incapable Of doing injustice TO New York. They
apprchcnd 10 the fullest the importance of New
York aud the claims that belong 10 that importance
But the Democratic managers and politicians Of
New York may as well make up their minds now as
later that If they expect to be considered next time
they must wash their dirty linen at home. The
West and the South do not mean 10 stand any more
damn NONSENSE" We have had too much of II al
ready. Hereafter II any clubs are TO be used in
National Democratic Conyenlions-may they always
be stuffed ones-they will be in the hands OF men
who mean SHAT they say and do what they promise
wanting no other reward than the consciousness Of
duty done
Let the sun aud the New York Herald and all
other New York newspapers, either Democratic or
with Democratic prociiyites, putthese plain spoken
but kindly intended observations in their pipes
clay or cob, as the may be, and bestow their
gentlest respiration upon them. stitch in time
saves nine, aud wisdom comes after reflection.