The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1892-02-26
srw YORK LnrrEa.
Nnw Yoak CRY, Feb IS. lsoa.

NkW ORk 1iIft rto lsf 1919.
Editors Demoerat.
The failure 10 write during the past
two months has been due TO an over press
OF work rather than to an absence OF In
teresting material.
In the past election contest In this state,
Ia the war scare, aud In many other cur-
rent events, there has been much that
goes far beyond the merely local. But
tali things else, not even excepting the war
scare, are secondary, and have been so all
the time to the great question OF politics
ia a letter written shortly after the
November election, made ,lseot anhrase
thenscuircnt but which now causes n
smile when used, and needs 10 be care
fully quoted via. sthc logic OF events.R
The implication intended WAS that the
democrats leader In 1894, would be the
ex-president. II was my belief then that
there were not two contendng principles
Ia the democratic party either IN this state
or In the nation at large. That view ! am
compelled 10 modify so far as New York
state IL concerned. The course OF events by
which the state senate was turned over TO
the democrats. the calling OF the early
state convention, and In short, the personal
movements of Senator HUI have changed
the Views of many. Few people, even IN
New York, have realized Senator Hili'a
consummalc ability az politician, Few,
also, have realized what hold ne had
upon the machinery OF politics In this
state And In the whole series OF events
that have transplred, Senator Ilill has
been the efficient factor, n vefltable
Napoleon OF pellties. Aa 20 gaining con.
troll OF the state senate, there have GER
iainly been some questionable things
done But II IL the logical sequence Of
the methods by which the opposing party
has maintained supremacy there. The
result accomplished has certainly been to
given democratic state Into democratic
control The methods employed have
sometimes seemed questionable. Inc
main features OF tins plan were admirably
layed out. In the detail OF execution there
have certainly oecn blunders.
Ex-presldent Cleveland has a warm
hold on strong contingency 81 demo
Gratis. But his following l. popular and
unorganixed. New Ycrk viii unqnestlon
able send delegation 10 the convention
for Hlll There Il possibility OF a con-
testing delegation. The movement Ia that
direction u formabIe and growing.
Whether or not comprotnise can be
effected remains 10 I've seen. II not. alas,
for democracy In this state A macs
meeting was held In Cooper Union iast
week that has exerciaed Senator Ht'l and
his followers not liltle. l. was large.
enthusiastic and composed OF the most
substantial members OF the party In this
city. The meeting was iormIdal protest
against the mid-wlnter convention be-
cause Il means machine iaadc delegates
rather than delegates chosen By the popu-
lar party will tor the national convention.
The meeting and the speakers. while
enthusiastic, were dignihed and IN earnest.
There were no threats. But Il has been
correctly aaid since the meeting that the
note q sounded was omincus OF demo-
cratic dIseord. On top, Of this, there
comes the report of The local elections
throughout the state In which the Tepub-
lleanA have uniformly made gains, In
some dlsiricts these gains hate been
heavy. What all this means no one can
ioretell. Senator HUI insists that the
convention shall be held rs appolnied on
Feb 2snd. His followers snap thess fin
gers In the faces cflndependeni democrats
and even rldleule them. All this bodes
no good
This disagreement i something more.
lear, than the antagonism Of the per-
sonal followers OF two great leaders. Is IL
based on deeper principle. Tony minE
the difference l. simply this; One ele-
ment OF the party believes that success Is
to be secured by an open avowai OF prinei-
ples. and that party must sand or fall
BY its principles. The other Glement be.
leves that Ia achieving party success the
first thing IL 10 intreneh the party 10
power, and having done 20, work oct the
PARTY policy uhdIsiurbed. The one gets
les platform from the n.ass Of the people.
checked and restrained by party ieadsra
The other gets Iss platform from lndlvI-
duals, upon whom the MAS Of party
followers are 10 &C, as checks. This i at
the bottom Of all party contest. Il II the
same two principles eontendlng whether
you call e Capitalization ~ states rights,
loose construction vs. liberal construction,
or conservatism - radiealism. Il Is this
aspect Of the question, towIt, that II Il not
n mere faciional fight. bot struggle OF
radically opposing principles. that causes
the democrats the most alarm. IL els
iraesa attention from the fundamental
Ideas Of the party an Il stands opposed 10
the republican party.
But New York has been spoiled. She
has furnished the democratic party with
us Candidates Tor quarter OF century
For, although. two candidates have nom'
inally come from Other states, to all In
tents and purposes they came from New
York as they hay. certainly represented
New York ideas. IL may be time for the
candidate 70 come from elsewhere Il spoken
very loudly, and the sentiment IL galuiGg
ground seemingly that party expedieney
calls for some one TO lead who could In
sure harmony.
do not think there Il much difference
Of opinion here as 70 who ii.e republicans
Will nominate. II there ever was any
doubt about II. Mr. Biaine's letter seems 10
have settled that doubt completely.
Meanwhile, the party machinery Is being
set In motion for the great contest OF the
coming summer and fall.
Very truly.
JAS ] CHARLros.