The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-21
To-day's Conventfon-Shall It be a
Harrison Ratification Meeting?

Harrison Ratification Meeting2
At noon to-day the Hon. CALVIN STEWART
BRlcE will call to order tho Democrat,
National Convention. which assemblies In
Chicago for the purpose OF putting in nomi-
nation the next President and Vice-Prcsi-
dent Of tho United States. 1t is probably
IN auspicuous circumstanCc.that the formal
function OF calling the nine hundred dele
gates to order should this year, for the first
time, be performed by a representative the
great State Of Ohio. which is the fnvortc
child of political fortune in tho United
States. with one single exception since
tho days Of LINCOLN, Ohio has furnished
either q native or n resident to the Prcs!-
dency at each successive election. The only
Democratic Nice-rrcsidcnt since BnECKtN-
RIDGE was nntivo Of Ohio: so. too. arc
both candidates upon tho Republican ticket
OF this year.
In many ways to-day's Convention will he
representative and impressive gathering.
It will be attended by II throng Of cnthu-
slastic and sauguine Democrats. greater in
number than was ever before assembled for
any purpose or ut any place Nearly every
important State has Il favored candidate for
arc bright. Able ami astute leader Of pro-
gressive notions and enlightened Views are
In attendance and IL wise counscls are
needed. all will he we'll.
No Democratic Convention held in many
years has assembled under conditions con-
ta.n!nG SO much prcsage and promise OF
victory The Democratic Convention Of
1860 assembled undor tho shadow OF an i'm
peuding national disaster. 1t spoke for but
one wing of hopeessly divided party.
The Convention of 1864. held in the throcs
OF u period Of bloody warfare. spoke for
party but half organized in those OF tho
States where it was organized at all. The
Convention of 1868 met to protest against
political conditions. the existence OF
which prccuded any prospect OF sue
cess Tho Democratic Convention of
1877 was held on behalf Of party with
leaders not Of its selection and not OF
It's membership. Tho Democratic Con-
vcntion Of 1876 confronted odds which were
appalling. The Republicans. intrenched
under military rule in Washington. resisted
the popular demand for their withdrawal,
and in full control OF the electoral agencies
Of the South dcicd the Democracy and
then unblushingly counted out its duly
elected candidates. The Democratic Ma
tional Convention OF 1889 hssombled under
circumstances which were far from cncour-
rginE. The party was rent in fuctional
disputes. The State Administration in New
York had. as the result of party dvis-
ions. passed into Republican hands. Tho
greenback craze. East and West, had
undermined the foundations OF tho party,
Il 1a,,
utterance OH tho subject Of the tariff COM
pleted its overthrow. Not until 1884 did tho
conditions OF tho contest. as disclosed at
the meeting OF the Convention. seem favor
able to fight on equal terms. By one OF
those accidents which in politics arc never
tho Democracy won. but by the
selntieSt possible margin. The st. Louis
Convention Of 1893 was not an inspiring
affair. Tho doom of disaster for the ono
candidate whose claims il was permitted to
had been scaled in 1887. The will
lngnesS to shake OF the incubus was not
but tho strength was sadly want
Ing. Disaster was the consequence.
At to-day convention. for the first time
In thirty years. the political elements are
with the Democracy. The bnttle is in DEM
ocratic hands. Tho clouds are not pierced
with occls!OIal riffs of sunshine. but tho
whole political horizon is Il sYiburst for tho
nntcrrihed. The doubtful and decisive
States are in friendly Democratic hands.
The Interference OF the national Admins
ration has been T,inimzod to the limits of
safety. In New Yorl; and Indmla. the de-
States. tho Democratic forces arc
)a WY footing. Nothing is needed but
Jhe watchworI t. ADVANCE with IL Democrat
C general mt tho head OF the line.
II cannot be said. however. that by reason
u these Improved and encouraging con-
litions, the enthusiasm of tho Democrats
Thp ~" t. assemble o-lay in Chicago is
likely u raise the roof" Of the Conven-
ION hall. A Chicago cyclone has done that |
already. But it may he assorted with |
ruth nnl accuracy that 1919 Is tho year
When ut last there Is n bcSiu in the road |
which the Democratic party has been SO |
ong travelling. ind that the skies above
re Drlghtcr than ever they were before. |
'ho Republicans are beaten now. and beaten
'retrieyably. unless in tho hour OF their
vcrthrow and discontinue. incredible folly
hould turn the Chicago Convention into
HARRISON ratification meeting. as Its pred
ccssor was turned in 1883.
A Glorious or silly Season.