The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-24
HILLS VICTORY.

The victory OF David Is. Hill IN New
York is complete; its delegation goes to
! the Democratic national convention in
structed to vote for David B. Hill, and
instructed to vote as a unit. The anti
Hill faction have called a convention for
May 81 to elect delegates to the national
| Democratic convention. These delegates
| will not be admitted to the convention,
and will therefore be in position to
"bolt" Hills nomination, even as the
| maIcontent Van Buren, delegates ''bolted"
the nomination of Cass in 1913, thus giving
New York to the Wings and electing Gen.
eral Taylor president.
There is no probability that an anti
! Hill 'bolt" would reach the dimensions
of the Van Buren, party of 1913. Van
Buren, was not only an ex-president like
| Cleveland but he was very able, accom-
| plished statesman, polished gentleman
of fascinating manners. Van Buren, was
supported by number of the ablest and
most influential Democratic leaders of the
Empire state, including Samuel ]. Tilden,
and Furthermore, he cunningly planted
himself upon the platform of great
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to the further acqui-
sition of slave territory. On this platform
Van Buren, secured the support of the
Silas Wright anti-slavery Democrats.
Wright died in 1S47, the year before
the Van Buren, "bolt," but Van
Buren,, his lifelong friend, easily
succeeded to his influence and follow
ing. 1t is clear that an anti-Hill
"bolt'' could not hope to rally to its sup
port any such following in numbers as en-
listed under the banner of Van Buren, and
his chief bugler, his eloquent son. The
anti-Hill bolt would stand for nothing but
personal issue, VIZ, the candidacy of Gro
yer Cleveland. The calling of an early
convention is mere pretext for dissatis-
| faction; of course if the New York Democ-
racy was really for Cleveland the conven-
ton. whether called early or late, would
have been for Cleveland.
Cleveland's only chance was before the
November election. If, instead of obse-
| quiously tying himself as tail to the
| Tammany kite. he had vigorously con-
tested for the control Of the Democratic
state convention, and, failing in that, had
abstained from public support of Tam
many and had cast the whole weight
| OF his political following against Tam
many, he could have beaten the
| Hill ticket and discredited Hill as party
leader and manager. He did not do this;
he spoke from the Tammany platform,
| and his ablest advocate, the New York
Times, supported it. When Flower was
elected, it was perfectly plain that Cleve-
land was dead cock in the pit, and that
| Hill would be New York's Democratic
| candidate for president, and it is but
| justice to say that after his victory in No
vember last, Hill had no need to pack a
convention against Cleveland, for the
| New York Democracy are by very large
majority sincerely devoted to the fortunes
of Hill, and were certain to send solid
delegation to Chicago for Hill, whether
the convention was held in February or
May.
The only question today is whether the
| anti-Hill movement is threatening enough
TO persuade the long-headed managers of
the National Democracy that it would be
"bad politics" to nominate Hill. If the
anti-Hill "bolt" had John Kelly behind
it. as the "bolt" against Robinson for gov
ernor had in 1879, it certainly would not
be safe to nominate Hill, and it is by no
means certain that it Will be safe to nomi-
nate him against the present protest of
the Cleveland faction. The Cleveland
Democracy is small in numbers. but it
| includes good many men of money,
I energy and the influence that goes
with money, brains and character. The
influence Of these Democratic capitalists,
merchants, lawyers and bankers is con-
siderable IN New York city and in Con-
necticut and New Jersey. and if they are
still in a fighting mood after Hills nomi-
| nation they might endanger the success of
the Democracy. John Kelly carried off
| 5000 Democrats from the party standard
| in 1879; if the Cleveland faction bolt"
Hill they could probably poll at least 2Q,-
4 600 votes in the Empire state. enough TO
lose New York 10 the Democracy. The
| loug-headed Democratic leaders in other
states will hardly take this risk. They
| know that John kelly's GOODNESS toward
| Hancock lost New York 10 the Democracy
in 1850, when a victory in New York would
have made Hancock president; they know
that John Kelly came within a scratch of
defeating Cleveland in New York in 1881,
and they have good reason 10 believe that
the GOODNESS of Tsmmany and Hill to-
ward Cleveland in isSs helped Harrison
carry the Empire state.
The leaders of the national Democracy
are not ready TO risk the loss of the battle
next November by taking any needless
chances OF defeat. HIPS nomination will
depend altogether upon the strength in
numbers and aggressiveness of the anti
! Hill convention called for May 81 next.
If it should be a formidable demonstration
the national Democracy will not nominate
| Mn; hut If the anti-Hill movement
should in the meantime move with Lam
guild step and wear gloomy countenance,
then lin will be nominated II Hill can
satisfy the Democratic national leaders