The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-09-29

steps to the conclusion that recognition
of Mr.. Wells nomination, is disapproval
of the action taken by the Manitowoc and
Calumet delegations. The situatian is a
peculiar one and the course which under
ordinary circumstances wotld be proper,
is in the present instance impolitic. The
Manitowoc and Calumet delegations
fought to secure the calling of new co.,
vention which would be free from the
enuanglements attending that called for
the 7th ultimo, and which prevented a
nomination satisfactory to those repre-
senting the democracy of the district
They failed of their object. Their with
drawal was the only proper course left
them and was their protest against a
nomination which was inevitable, II any
was made. Did their withdrawal secure
that which they failed to secure in the
regular course of procedure "a dlssolu-
ton of the convention? Ii SO minority,
under circumstances less attendant with
justice, might at any time exercise this
power and thus obstruct the proceedings
of a convention to final issue, and render
nugatorY its acts. TO establish such
precedent is fully as dangerous as to rec
ognize nomination made by depleted
convention. The delegates who with
drew from the Oshkosh convention can
perceive vital difference between their
action and withdrawal from culpable or
mischievous motives; but the act not the
motive, fixes the precedent ana makes
regular procedure which only extraor-
binary circumstances can excuse. The re-
firing delegates wholly exonerated them
selves of all responsibility for the further
action of the convention, but did not by
withdrawal make a dissolution of the
convention imperative, though 1t certainly
made it advisable Mr.. Wells acceptance
of the nomination was injudicious; so
was his refusal to withdraw on the day
preceding. The two errors, if not identi-
cal, stand in such correlation that it is
difficult to distinguish between them
His refusal to withdraw should not be
bar to his candidacy, though devotion to
the party interests should have made
such sacrifice appear like a duty. His
attitude was not whit more reprehen-
sible in accepting nomination made pos
sible by the withdrawal of an element
which he could not control or divert for
the furtherance Of his own interests. If
Wells had to deal with men who would
succumb to the sluggish pressure of OBJ
stinancy, his nomination, though delayed,
would have been made In due FORM
Would a nomination under such condi-
tions of duressbe more authoritative than
that whose suffclency is now in question?
There is no disposition to question from
moral standpoint the position taken by
MIR. Nash, as it is unassailable if it be
granted that in politics every mice Of
Tense should bear it's comment" The
question for us to consider, as democrats
is, what is best to do under the circum-
stances? The methods by which such a
nomination is made possible have recelv-
ed such measure of reprobation that
repetition Is not prubablo, whilo tho M
certainty of the final outcome makes the
nomination extremely undesirable. The
otfense has not gone unwhlpped and the
punishment has not stopped short with
those who have profited by obstructive
tactics, thus preventing a nomination
which would be generally acceptable.
Others who interposed obstacles to a sat-
isfactory termination of the convention
are pilloried by public opinion and held
in execratlon by democrats for placing the
party in this district in the condition of
a disorganized mob. 1t is the duty of
all good democrats to aid In restoring
order and in securing unity Of purpose
and harmony of action. This cannot be
done unless criticism is suspended and
every utterance avoided which is calcu-
lated to influence passion or encourage
those who are dissatisfied to make COM
mon cause against man who has some
warrant for claiming he is the democratic
nominee.
Let US be fair with Wells and honor
able with ourselves. Either bolt him
openly or give him the support which is
due to a democrat who is candidate for
political Office. No one questions his
devotion to his party; no one denies that
helslnperfect harmony with us on the car
dinal principles which constitute the es-
sense of democracy. In the present in
stance Mr.. Wells is the representative of
democracy. 1t may be unfortunate in
view of the opposition he has aroused,
but the fact remains the same. The Pilot
had hoped that Mr.. Wells would see his
way clear to declining to stand There
was some reason to believe that he did
contemplate such a step. There is alb
solutely no hope for any such step being
taken now. The congressional committee
is so constituted that to call new con-
veption majority of it's members would
have to stultify themselves. The call
would be self-condemnatory of their
course in the convention, as four of them
were delegates and supported Wells.
1t is desirable that the situation be prop
erly understood so that people may be
fully conscious of what t,ey are doing
This is struggle between the two poll
teal parties. The Pilot finds no pleasure
In opposing Judge Baensch's election and
would not do so if the personal success
of the candidates was the only question
involved. His personal worth and de-
served popularity cheerfully comedies,
but IN the present contest it is national
matters 1T personal considerations which
are in issue and which determine the
course OF The Pilot as ii should all demo-