The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-03-18
A STRIKING DIFFERENCE.
In this Democratic Party All Is Confusion
and Uncertainty.


, In ths Democratic Party All Is Confusion
and Uncertainty.
There has seldom been a time in the
history of existing parties when the
situation seemed more assured in re-
gard to the choice of republican pres
idential candidate, or more perplexing
as to the selection of his democratic
opponent Four years ago the demo-
Gratis took the initiative at st. Louis on
the 5th of June, and the republicans
rallied two weeks later at the old
stand, Chicago, on June 10. This year
the administration party leads the way
at Minneapolis on June Z, and the dem
ocrats, after two weeks interval, con-
vene at Chicago on June 81. In 1888
the democratic convention nominated
President Cleveland for reelection,
and in 1892 the republican convention
will again present the name of Presi-
dent Harrison. The effect of Mr.
Blaine's withdrawal fully justifies this
prediction, strengthened rs it is by
Secretary Blaine's declaration that
President Harrison is the logical can
didate of his party and deserves re-
nomination. Complimentary votes,
thrown by different states in recogni-
ton of 'favorite sons" will not mis-
lead the sentiment of the convention
when it converges upon the final ballot.
The democratic situation is bewilder-
ing. Mr.. Cleveland's strength is large
ly dependent upon a weakness of his
party. He is great among democrats
l., - H. lalr A--Cf
among few availables Established in
the popular confidence. In 1884 the
presidency was a candidate for Mr..
Cleveland, but the fruits of his victory
were sacrificed in an attempt to adjust
honest politics" to the demand of
undemocracy. Since then the worst
enemies of Mr.. Cleveland have been
found in the ranks of his own party.
The opposition to his nomination is no
longer confined to New York. The
radical silver men of the party, who
regard the free and unlimited coinage
of silver as being of greater impor-
lance than the question of tariff re-
form, arr unfriendly to Mr.. Cleveland.
Mr.. German, Mr.. breckenridge, Mr..
Black burn, Mr.. Bland, Mr.. Crisp and
other distinguished southern leaders
are looking for another candidate. As
surances have been given that south
ern states which sent solid delegations
for Cleveland in 1888. are pledged to
send solid delegations to oppose him in
1892. The west still remains steadfast
to the ex-president, but the outcrop of
western candidates, which includes
Palmer and Stevenson and Chief JUS
ticc Fuller. of Illinois; Gray, of In
diana; Boies, of Iowa, and other
promising aspirants, is somewhat de-
pressing to the supporters of the ideal
candidate"
The New York democratic despotism
has found most fitting champion in
David Il. Hill, whose desperate polit-
ical methods have eliminated in the
theft of the legislature of the empire
state, and a machine made democratic
state convention which has throttled
the expression of Cleveland sentiment
in the party and will send a solid Hill
delegation to Chicago. All the shout
ing for Grover Cleveland outside the
walls of the Auditorium will count for
nothing against the unit vote of New
York for Hill in the convention. Only
the timely and spontaneous awakening
of the moral sense of the party can res
cue the Chicago convention from the
clutches of a machine usurpation which
would inevitably destroy the party.
The battle-ground of the coming con-
test will be President Harrison's state
r -. - To-
and Massachusetts, in electing demo-
cratic governors last year need not en-
barrass political calculations as to the
attitude of these states on national
questions. Presumably the republican
states which voted for Harrison in 1888
will, with the possible exception of
New York and Indiana, vote for the
republican ticket in 1892, and the states
which voted for Cleveland in 1883 will
vote for the democratic candidates in
1892. In such case the republicans
could afford to lose New York if they
carried Indiana, for that would give
them 225 electoral votes, two more
than is necessary to choice, assuming
that the vote of Michigan will be di-
vided. Hence it would not avail the
democrats to carry New York, and
Montana. too, if, on the other hand,
they cannot carry Indiana That Mr..
Harrison can carry Indiana has been
demonstrated, and, all other things be-
ing equal, in the absence of any excit-
ing new controversy, the republicans
may take heart of hope in presenting
him as the most available presidential
candidate for the campaign of 1902