The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-04-09
The Darkness and the Dawn.


The memorable Democratic victory o
1890 was achieved mainly on tariff reform
Il was victory almost, if not quite, un
paraIIeled in the history Of parties II
placed the Democratic party upon LOFTY
vantage ground from which 1t would Dc
the part of wisdom not TO step down Not
withstanding that extraordinary expression
of popular sentiment, there came little
later slight revulsion, based not so much
ON change of opinion, as a relaxation OIL
effort and organization Of the victors,
very natural result of the great antecedent
effort. This was followed by the rise OF
distracting questions of organization, such
as the speakersbip and the chairmanships
of the several committees, the silver ques-
ton. and Others, that cast the apple OF dis
cord into the ranks of the hitherto harmo-
NOUS party. In the midst of the thlcken-
ing gloom and darkness that gradually
gathered around the prospects of the lately
victorious legioDs of the Democracy, fac
ton lighted its baleful fires in the Empire
State. Subsequently Gov. Hill was placed
in the United States Senate. and it was
fondly hoped that that step would prove to
be the harbiDger of peace and harmony be-
t,vaap tho discordant factions of that turbu-
lent. yet important, branch Of the party.
Vain hope. 1t was but the precursor OF
deeper gloom and the denser shadows that
threatened to envelop the party IN the pail
of blacklist night. The fires OF faction
ragged iiercer still and threw theirlurid glare
over the scene. A hasty convention was
assembled by COY Hill, which resulted in
the appointment of delegates favorable to
his nomination for the Presidency, against
the E.ore conservative sentiment OF the
state. Although this course of action was
regular. it was deemed hasty and lmpolltlc,
and eliminated in storm OF dlsapproba-
ton which did Dot cOnfine itself to New
York, but swept over the broad expanse OF
the entire country. The most thoughtful
and the most devoted members Ut the party
felt alarm. and began to cast about them
as to what course was best to pursue under
circumstances so threatening and inauspl-
eious. 1t was argued that New York was
a pivotal state, and necessary 10 democratic
success. That the breach between the
Hill and the Cleveland men was so great
that both Of them were unavailable as presl-
dental candidates. That New York was
necessary to our success, and that neither
of them could carry the state by reason OF
the bitterness of this factiOnal division.
Snch a condition of things, it was argued,
made it advisable to take the candidate
from some other state, if the party would
succeed at the ensuing Presidential cleo
ton And, in truth, there was much force
in this view of the case. But, it is alleged,
A great change has been wrought in the
aspect of affairs in the last few weeks.
The growing sentiment for MIR. Cleveland
has 50 strengthened Itself. that not only
will it prevail in other parts of the country,
but New York itself, yielding to the pres
sure Of necessity and to the popular de-
mand of The honr, will unanimously sup
port him in the national convention. The
clouds which recently gathered so omi-
aously over the prospects oflhe Democratic
party are rolling away, and the night OF
darkness IS already far spent. Behold
the day breaketh. and the shadows flee
away.