Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-03-04
FRIDAY MORNING. MARCH a. 1892
INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC
STATES.

We are wholly unable TO see the motive
for the effort now being made in Virginia
to make the Democratic party of this Com
monWealth partisan i'll the divisions of
the New York Democracy. 1t cannot be
for the welfare of the Democratic party as
a National organization that these efforts
are being made. Virginia is as independ-
ent of the preferences of New Y DIRK, as
New York is Of the wishes Of Virginia.
Were it otherwise, any great Democratic
State, with numerous electoral vote.
might be canted to the right OIL the left and
the others be expected to follow, situa-
ton that would put an end to the national
condition OF the party and make it local
dependent. The recent Democratic State
Convention of New Y ork has shown, as far
as any other Democratic State has right
inquire. that Senator d. B. Hill is the
proper person in the eyes of the New Y DIRK
Democratic party-as represented by its
always recognized authorities-to have his
name placed before the Chicago Conyen-
ton. We have no approval for the outcry
that is being made against the manner in
which the convention was called, even if
Virginia had any right to interfere in the
home matters Of another Democratic State.
The early date Of the convention was clear
ly within the authority of the New Y ork
State Democratic Committee and no one
else has right to object to it. True, it is
a hazardous experiment; when the old Stall
wart Republicans of the Grant following
determined on giving him a third term,
precisely the same thing was done by Ros-
coe Conkling in New York. and Simon
Cameron in Pennsylvania. They carried
their point in those States and others, but
were defeated in the National Republican
Convention. Their action had made Grant
the centre of opposition from the Republi-
can party all over the Union and resulted
in his defe at. n ot only in his defeat, but
in the political death Of all that he and his
friends stood for with the Republican par
ty, for from that event may be dated the
marked changes which have come over the
Republican party in it's chief political lines
of conduct, and notably in its ideas of force
in legislation.
But, as we have said, it is an experiment
that any man in public life has a right to
make when bis party authorities are with
him. Its result is never to be measured
by spasmodic victories in this State OF
that, but must be left to the National
Convection. In the case of Senator Hill
we, and all other Democrats should, accept
h,,,, t1,oo al, F.
nomination. And that is all there is in the
matter. The choice of the Virginia Dem
OcratS is for different name, and in many
respects q different man-Grover Cleveland.
The choice of very many other certain Dem
Ocratic States is also Grover Cleveland, ant!
this choice will be made known at the Ma
tional Convention. 1t will be there, and not
in this State convention or that, that the
question of availability between ahalf dozen
prominent men-for the grea5 Tariff Re
form victory OF 1880 created many new fields
and new available men-will be decided.
A National Convention is a huge concern
too large to be preempted by q single State.
1t can only be preempted, in a certain
sense, by actual, eminent, and long contin-
ued public service and popularity, not by
mere aspirations. The character and the
popularity which can count with certainty
on the support of q National Convention
in this Republic, i'll this enlightened day,
must he iligil and Of long growth, its roots
must have entered the hearts of the people
all over the county.
Su Ii a haracter and such popularity, it
is tn belle f Virginia Democrats, Grover
Cleveland losses 5es. To item he stands
for What is lie; t in every sense in Democ-
ray. In his progress from Sherin to
President, through every stage, he stands
to them for honesty, courage, purity of ad-
ministration, unfailing adherence to the
cause Of the peos) e. and unfiinching tread
in the highest and cleanest roads yet bazed
out in the politics Of this co lntry. On the
great issues Of the day, he is TO them the
''author and finisher of the faith and &c
other man of his time has so completely
filled the place. They wish this preference
represented at the Chicago convention
They do not propose to be drawn into any
rivalry between any candidates, and Still
less do they intend to submit to the effort
now being made to extend the New Yorh
Troubles to the old Democratic Common
wealth of Virginia. They interfere with
no other State and they desire no othel
State to interfere With them in the matter
of their expression of their preference
They expect to support in good faith ths
nominee of the Chicago convention, ano
they expect Netc York to do the same
And that is the sum and substance of Viz
ginias connection with New York in the
Presidential nomination.
A Reform DELAYED.
The Kent Railroad bill was defeated il
the House OF Delegates by the decided vote
of % to 81. Could it have been put TO the
vote of the people Of Virginia, instead OF
the representatives they sent to Richmond
it would have been carried by popular
majority Of 5 to /. How and why this dis
crepancy exists between the people, Their
representatives, and the opinions those rep
resentatives were supposed to entertain
when elected only three months ago, We
shall not now discuss. 1t is pleasant t(
know that in this fight of the people OF
Virginia for justice, both of the Delegates
from Augusta took the side Of the people
They will be remembered for it. There is
another man that will be remembered 10y
the people Of the Commonwealth as a cen
trail figure in tie same connection-Robert
G.. Kent of Wythe, the patron of the bill
The great ability, the untiring persistence,
the patience, and the true patriotism he has
shown in this unselfish, Weariso re and une
quail contest against giant corporations for
fair dealing with the people, will not be
soon forgotten.
But the reform is only delayed. The