The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-12

herents of ex-President Cleveland. They
affirm that the call for convention in
February was r devious method designed
to suppress expressions and representa-
tions in behalf of their favGrite, and the
demonstration of tonighG was designed to
| publicly voice their protest
! Long before the hour set for opening the
meeting every seat and available inch of
standing room was occupied, and many
were unable to get in. Oswald Often
| dorfer, editor and proprietor of the New
York Stats Zeitung, called the meeting
to order. He said, in part: You prove by
your presence here that you feel deeply the
| indignity and insult cast upon you by the
attempt made to have New York repre-
sented in the Democratic national conven-
! ton by delegates nominated through
! schemes arranged in midwiDter. without
| consulting or giving an opportunity to ex-
| press their views and wishes to the Demo-
cratic masses in relation to the questions
which influence materially the welfare and
| future of our common country. 1t Is in
, tended to treat you as a mass OF unruly
! children, whose opinion it is not worth
while to listen to, and who have nothing
! to do but to comply implicitly with the
/ command of their preceptors.
1.-The whele proceeding of the Demo-
cratic state committee is as provoking as
! it is uncalled for, and its only explanation
/ is that it is well adapted to promote the
schemes of some intriguing politicians
! who have reason to avoid open daylight,
and try TO procure a snap judgment by
which they can pretend to represent the
/ Democracy of the Empire state. 1t is not
/ for the promotion of the ambition of this
or that man, or for the benefit of this Or
| that clique, but for the triumph of the
! principles in defense of which the Democ
| racy of the United States. has achieved
| their victories during the last two years,
that we enter our protest against the ap-
pointment of delegates from this state
by the convention to be held at Albany on
! Feb. D
Mr.. Ottendorfer then presented Freder-
lex X. Coudert as president of the meeting.
In addressing the great throng, and in
speaking of the object of the meeting, Mr.
Coudert said that it was not to denounce
or to glorify any human being, but some
thing more important. 1T Is an assertion
of the right OF which men in authority are
striving to deprive us. 1t is the right to
express our opinion and to manifest our
will upon every subject of public and pO-
ltiCal concern" In naming the objections
to the call for a convention Oh Feb. %, Mr..
Coudert said:
''In the first place, | would say that
every departure from usage and custom
requires an explanation on the part of
those who make the departure to those
who are interested in the subject. Custom
is law and TO violate law is a crime. The
burden is upon those whose conduct is
questioned and not upon those who object
We therefore are in the right, and may
insist upon receiving valid explanation.
With us custom is king. Ii rules judges
and courts and parties and commerce, and
we can scarcely be deemed bold
if we say Show your warrant to
violate this law The precedents
of nearly century have established a uni
form rule. Why have you changed it?
II YOU have good reason, produce it, 1t
may be said that there was power enough
in the leaders 10 fix such dates as they
might deem eXpedient for the holding of
the convention. In a certain meas ure this
is true but when that power was inferred
upon them 1t was with certain reserva-
tIons: the reservation, first, Of good faith.
Has this been done IN good faith? IL was
intended that ordinary usages should be
followed. 1t was intended that AL Demo-
Gratis should have an opportunity TO regis
ter their voices Il WAS not intended to cut
off thousands of men without regard to
right in oroer to serve purpose"
Mr.. Coudert was interrupted by frequent
applause and laughter, though it was
noticeable that nearly all the applause
came from the front section OF the hall,
containing oue-half OF the audience. Some
one shouted, Three cheers for Grover
Cleveland. There was a good response,
followed by scattering hlSSeS. At the con
clusi0n Of Mr.. CoudeUt's speech. 4 list OF
vice presidents and secretaries. containing
a selection Of 300 names from those AZ
tached to the call Tor the meeting, WAS
read. EX-United States District Attorney
Walker then offered the following resola-
tons. which were warmly app,auded, and
which were adopted with practical una
nimty. The resolutions, IN brief are as
follows:
Resolved, That this assembly Of Dem
ocrats respectfully protests and appeals
against the UacAlied for and III advised
action OF the state committee IN desi.na-
ting - early a date as Feb - for the
meeting Of the state convention which is
10 elect delegates 70 the national conyen-
tion 70 be held q Chicago
Resolved. That the right Of the voters
OF q political party should not be Curtaileu
IN time, place or circumstances III such a
way - - limit or en- barraSs genuine ex-
presSioo ct popular party feeling upou the
question II hand.
Resolved Thar the seton ~ the state
committee IN calling he s'a,e convention
Tor Ech. -. and thereby foVcjuE tie hold
lac 81 primaries au snort notice. y con-
Jfary 70 paris I>r3.-r-, suQ - ITTv.ut4r.
"Eesolyed, That thi> action - "a grave
v,o3aiiua oi tue political duties 81 ta- c3n4. :
nattee, - hlcA cauno, bUt e&psse tLe party
- ueeiirss danger a Jbe e!eet.0a next
\oveu ger.
Resolved, That copies % these res0lu- f
~-rsr- -. - -.