The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-03-26

Hill bcgan his Ncckicss, Daring
Campaign. s
New YoRK, March 24.-Tho World
Dem has tho following striking edi-
torial: Senator Hills southern cxpedi-
ton was one moro movement in his
open personal pursuit OF tho presidency.
lie went to address various public gath
erings as n presidential candidate. 1t
is unprecedented for presidential
nomination to DO sought in this way.
The second phase Of this personal cam
paign suggests review OF tho results OF
the first.
Senator Hills midwintcr convention
was held q month ago. Since thcn We
have had elections in our own state;
the Democrats have held their conven-
ton in another state. and wo have
heard from every part OF tho country
US to its effect on Senator Hills candi.
dacy. ~
1t was expected that the Albany con-
vcntion would put an end to Mr.. Cleve-
lands candidacy by demonstrating that
tho Democrats OF his own state wero
unanimously against HIM. 1t was pro-
posed to show to Democrats in other
states, before they held their, own con-
vcntions, that Cleveland had no stand.
ing with tho party here. Further, its
purpose was to prove that Hill had all
that Cleveland was without-thc con-
tidcncc, the fcalty, the enthusiastic sup
port OF tho Democracy OF this state !;
that he was the one man whose nomi-
nation would insure to the Democracy
tho electoral vote OF New York, and
that no consequently was the most
available man.
Have these purposes and expectations
been realized? Did tho convention an
initiate Cleveland as candidate and
demonstrate that Hill is the one indis-
pensablc man?
l. Before the convention was called
Mr.. Cleveland was hopeless as to his
prospects. This was perfectly we'll
known fact. 1t was no secret that he
had declared his intention OF writing a
remuneration OF his candidacy, Why?
Becanso the secret but strenuous efforts
to secure tho support OF Mr.. Richard
Croker and Mr.. Hugh Mclaughlin had
failed. Without these two men Mr..
Cleveland knew he had no chance what
ever in the state. With these two men
Mr.. Hill had the state in his pocket.
: These two men turned the scale, and in
the anticipation OF full Hill delegation.
chosen in the ordinary way, and beyond
question representing the state, Mr..
Cleveland felt angry and disappointed,
saw only humiliation coming and the
uselessness OF iurthur candidature.
Only the earnest entreaty OF Mr.. Ceve-
lands friends prevailed upon him at
that time to withhold declaration OF
his withdrawal. Even these friends
largely shared Mr.. Cleveland's hopeless
ness as to the prospects in pivotal New
York.
But at the very darkest hour Mr..
Cleveland was destined to DO helped by
Mr.. Hills blunder.
Senator Hill. not content to let we'll
enough alone, flushed by recent sue
ccsses, reckless of public opinion, and
having the completest mastery OF the
/ political machine, rushed the state
convention for an unpreccdentedly
early day. Tho situation was changed.
1t caused bitter division in the party
on the grounds that Senator Hills ac-
ton was unfair, that Mr.. Clcveland's
friends were unjustly treated, that the
possession OF delegation so chosen
was not conclusive, and that the moral
weight unanimous delegation should
have was partially nullified at the out.
set.
II. Thus instead OF forcing Mr.. Cleve-
land to write his letter OF withdrawal
the Albany convention produced re-
action, making Mr.. Cleveland again q
possibility. That was its first effect.
Mr.. HILLS blundcr had furnished an &C.
casion and excuse for bolt. Had the
Albany convention not met for month
or two, had it come together in the or
binary way and at the ordinary time,
there would have been 10 ground or
pretext Tor another movement, opposi-
ton would have been stiiled and ended
inside the party and Mr. Hill would
have had tho delegation. Now he has
only. furnished the opposition an cx-
cuso to organize the Cleveland and anti.
boss wing OF the party against him, in
duced Mr.. Cleveland to write letter
putting himself into the field as can
didate, and strongly revived all over
the country the desire OF Mr.. Clcve-
lands friends that he DO nominated
even without or in defiance OF tho New
York delegation.
III. 1t is not impossible for contest
ing delegation to be admitted to the
national convention on some basis OF
fractional representation. This may hap
pen if all the othor candidates together
have majority OF the convention when
it meets. And if 4 contestins delesa-
ton is admitted ut all, OIL however small
q basis, twill largely nullify the intlu-
encc OF tho Hill delegates. -
~. Mr.. Hills stroke has undoubted
ly had success in tho uth-inVircinia,
Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Missis-
sippi, states whore lie had some friends
before. Tho invitations to address two
state legislatures and the large meeting
and the warm reception no met during
his recent trip, may be so interpreted.
But how far these invitations indicate
nero curiosity to see possible Presi-
dent, or to what extent they mean &C.
tual delegates in June, it is too carly. to
say. For instance, tho kentucky legis.
laturc by unanimous vote invited him
to deliver an address before it, but
nevertheless there is not shadow OF
doubt that the Kentucky delegation
will be unanimous for Mr.. Carlisle.
y. But against the gain in the South
comes failures, clear, distinct astound-
ing. in the North. Hero Mr.. Hills nc
ton has aroused 4 rcactionin Mr.. Cleye.
lands favor almost unreasonable, and
it has excited q sentiment against Mr..
Hill as ono who has endeavorcd to ad.
vance his cause by imnronnr rnoon.a. 1ls