Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-18
WEDNESDAY. MAY Is, 1892.
The State Democratic Convention.

Henry WATrERsoY uttered what ought
10 be considered truisrn when he said
few days ago that il is not the candidate
~ho has the most friends, but the can
didate who has fewest enemies who carries
debatable States aud wins doubtful cleo
tions. Henry CLAY is said to have recog-
nizcd the same truth when in 1874 an I'M
known Tennesseesn was nominated by the
Democrats TO run against him, who was
the most popular. distinguished. and able
statesman in the Wing party; for when
the great Kentuckan was told Of PoLK's
nomination he il said % have exclaimed;
Beaten again." Mr.. CLAY's foresight
was INDICATED by the result. He was
beaten by the unknown Tennesseesn-a
man who had not one follower nor one
friend devoted to his personal fortunes for
every ten that Dir. CLAY could boast OF.
Indeed Mr. CLAY WAS rs popular in his day
as Mr.. BLAINE IL now. and we oil know
that though even now if he would consent
Mr.. BLAINE would be nominated for Presl-
dent 10y the Minneapolis convention, yet
a. candidate before not merely one
party but the whole people he would
probably be again defeated. The race is
not 20 the swift nor tho battle TO the
strong" Mr.. WATTFRsoN's words OF eau
ton were intended particularly for the
consideration Of the members OF the CHI
cago convention. but they are worthy Of
icing pondered by oil who feel deep in
terest in the result of the approaching
presidential campaign.
Tomorrow the State Democratic Con
vention of Virginia will assemble in this
city. The delegates Will appear In their
capacity of representatives Of the peo-
lie IN their nearest relation TO them. We
trust and expect that they Will send 10
Chicago men who will there be able 10
keep their minds in due poise. Men should
is deputed to GO thither who Will not lose
their heads IN the immense crowds
that will then and there assemble
10 prove either that the race Is 10
the strong or that the race Is not 10
the strong. Unless something shall oc-
cur between now and the 2lst of June
10 change the present condition OF
thincs there will assemble in Chicago on
that DAY such crowd as never before at
tended national convention. There Will
be such efforts made for and against the
foremost or most popular aspirants az
have never been witnessed III the past.
"For and against" we saw And II is TO
this pregnant fact that Mr.. WATTEEsoN
would direct public attention. 10 Is the
safety Of the republic and the welfare Of
the Democratic party-not the personal
fortunes Of any man-that ought 10 con-
troll the national convention when it
comes to vote upon the question of select
ing the next Democratic nominee for Pre-
sident Of the United States.
There Will be no place for Boilers. and
there will be no Boilers at Chicago. Not
one Of us would think Of going 70 Chicago
20 do anything but fall in as soon as
the lines Of the Democratic party are again
formed Five weeks hence We shall all be
working Loyalty for the Democratic nOmi-
nee. Let us not disoualify ourselves for
that duty hy doing anything that could
lave such an effect upon our future con
duct. The moro imperative the duty Of
caring for tho South the more indispen-
sable it is that her sons shall do nothing
20 render success in the presidential race
any more doubtful than II is in the very
nature of things.