The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-21

A Dissatisfied Cleveland Man Thinks There
Was Too Much Compromise.


To Editor of The Times
In your issue Of Friday you appear 10 be
satisfied with, and to approve the action Of
the State Democratic Convention recently as
sembled in this city. While | am not disposed
To cry over split milk or in any Wise 10 rem
der dissatisfied the Democratic voters of this
city and State yet as n Democrat allow me 70
give expression 20 a tewi opinions which be-
believe 10 be entertained by large number
of Others besides myself lOu say that
Won most heartily congratulate tbs Demo
cracy of this state on this settlement
ol their difficulties. abiding 70 the Cleye-
land-Hil compromise and then continue, 10
re-estabsbes the reputation OF NHginlans Tor
conservatism and wise discretion, etc
Pardon me tor asking you, DO you think 1t re-
establishes their reputation Tor courage ana
principle, ! was N attendance upon the
sessions Of the Convention throughout most
of Yesterday and last night and AS an ad-
mirer of Grover Cleveland IT did seem - me
that his friends were placed IN peculiar ana
trying position. and that the TAX OF Aal-
mOny' was carried 20 ABOUT AS I'LL aosu4u az
extent as possible.
If the people Of Virginia chose 1000 dele
oates TO represent them IN that Convention.
ms they did. If they voted for those delegates
knowing in "A large majority OF instances
their preferences Tor the presidential noin-
nation. which they did II the Cleveland dele
Gates were IN q majority IN that body, as Lee.
O'Ferran ana other leaders claimed and con-
fdently asserted, did that body truly repre-
sent the people of Virginia when they even
declined 20 indOrse the name of Cleveland,
What in the name Of common sense. ] ASK
did We vote for Cleveland delegates Tor; Why
did we instruct for Cleveland when We could.
Why did We do all in our power 70 send his
friends to the Convention, n.Vhen they got
there iu majority they were % give up the
verv fruits of Our victory ia ailottlug tie other
side hall the delegates and not only that. but,
in addition. decline 10 even recommend tho
name of Cleveland 10 the Chicago COnyeu-
ton As understand the principles If
republican government. one OF the cardinal
ones IS that the majority rules, and heretofore
il has been that way IN Democratic cOnyen-
ti0us will not say with the immortal flau-
naoan of Texas IT 10 was not % get the
otices what are We here for.' for ! am willing
enough that the anti-Cleyeland, or Hill. side
should be represented al Chicago, and most
Cleveland men have felt that way, but does
TINT excuse the weak-kneed talnt-hearted
action upon the part OF the Cleveland
leaders. whom the Hill men. it seems 70 me.
outwitted and outiOught at every turn:
The Convention Is pronounced a representa-
tive Virginia one but certainly Mr. Editor If
Judged By It's action. II was awning but rep
resentatiysly Nirginian, Tor II seemed afraid o.
characteristic OF Nirglnians not g have the
manhood 10 declare their convictions and has
that day come when their old-tine courage
has f0rsaken them,
If the Virginia people sent 10 that Conyen-
ton majority OF delegates VINO were
Cleveland men, and elected because of that
reason. il was not only their right but their
duty t. record an expression Of opinion upon
Mr.. Cleveland candidacy. and they were not
Nirginian not Democratic. not true l. them
selves and 10 the people when they failed 20
do So
The Cleveland men in that convention were
steadfast and lovsl to their candidate and
had they been properly led the result would
have been different, but what did their 10y
atty avail, when their leaders virtually
handed them over 10 their opponents. for
such was the truth. however else you may
choose TO express II.
Had the Hill men believed they had clear.
working majority how much would We have
heard about harmony" them They would
have passed a resolution for their man. or at
least commendlng him. with whoop. do
not believe the admirers Of Grover Cleve-
land have aught 10 fear from the action
of the Virginia Convention. for fortu-
nately. the Democracy OF the West have
not lacked the courage Of their con-
yictiOns. and State after State in
thar section Of the country have exhibited
lIOSt Aiuhlllc5 Vi I-lLlaLS lllAL the IT.
ginia leaders themselves appear 10 have
lacked. Georgia was not afraid To speak aud
to raise her voice in behalf OF Cleveland
| There was a hot fight ragged there between
the Cleveland and Hill factions but in the
Empire State OF the South tue rule OF the
majority prevails. and the majority favorlng
| Cleveland did not fail TO record their prefer
ence and did not whine about harmony -
| The Hill men accepted the result as true
! Democrats. and as they would have done IN
Virginia, and will be in line for the Demo-
cratic nominee whOmeyer he may be.
No. Mr. Editor the Virginia Convention
was not in every sense OF the word truly
representative Virginia body. The great mass
OF Cleveland men there were willing To stand
by their man. but they suffered from lack
of grit and backbone upon the part OF their
leaders. who deserted them to the other side
in the sO-called interest of harmony" but
what. Mr.. Editor. is that sort Of peace worth
and what does 1t amount tOi One gallant
young Democrat. whose name is worthy Of
praise Judge William I. Rhea-spoke man
fully and we'll for his principles. but lie did
not receive that support from the leaders
which he deserved.
The Convention was q large. unwieldy