The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-01-16
Personalism in Politics.

PerSonaliSm IN PolltlcS.
Nothing is more calculated to disorgan-
ize party than the indulgence of personal
ism-the discussion of persons rather than
principles, the tearing down of one candi-
date in order to build up another; the pre-
dieting of defeat in the event of one secur-
ing a nomination, and of success should
another be nominated. A number OF In-
fuential Democratic journals are INDUCING
in persopalism. and to the best of their
ability they are tearing down Hill to build
up Cleveland, and vice versa. Hill and
Cleveland are equally able and equally
sound Democrats Either would make
able standard bearers in the presidential
contest. and either could be elected with
united party back of him. But if this
warfare is continued much longer an antag-
onism deep and formidable will be estab-
lished that will make the nomination of
either a dangerous experiment. The AID
yoCATE has preference for Cleveland,
but is welded to no man. We think the
people are for him, and We regard him as
one of the ablest, most honest and most
courageous of our public men. He Is a
safe man. He has been tried, and he gave
the country the cleanest and most econom-
zeal Administration this generation ever
witnessed. There were no scandals and
no jobbery, and had he had a Senate in
accord with him as well as House, he
wonld have accomplished il reformation in
the government that would have been
wholesome for the whole people.
The ADVOCATE has also high admira-
ton for Hill. The Democrats Of the
whole country should have a warm feel
ing for him. By his wisdom and courage
he has transformed the Empire State, the
pivotal one in presidential elections, from
a doubtful one to one almost surely Demo
cratic By his leadership the Democracy
of New York have carried the Legislature
of the state, elected Democrat to the
United States Senate, to be a still further
barrier to Force bills and to assist in re-
ducing onerous and unnecessary taxation,
and will so properly equalize representation
as will make Democratic control reasonably
sure. and thus gain of another Demo-
cratic United States Senator quite proba
Bile. His wise administration as Governor
of New York has strengthened the party
there greatly, and the party is strong
enough TO carry the state with any gener
ally acceptable candidate. For all this,
David B. Hill is entitled to the warmest
thanks of all true Democrats
\ few years ago the ADVOCATE, it is to
be confessed, was prejudiced against Mr..
Hill But study of the man and his
actions and utterances has convinced us
that he is entitled to rank with the fore
most men of the country. He IS a leader
and statesman The effort to belittle him
will prove fruitless, and those engaged in it
are either prejudiced against him or are too
narrow and bigoted to be safe advisers
1t is always bad plan to endeavor to
build up one candidate at the expense Of
another, and if INDUCED in will result in
side-tracking both The Democratic party
is not reduced to the strait of having bnt
two competent leaders. Available men are
to be found in number of states-Rus-
sell, of Massachusetts; Pattison, of Penn
sylvania; Campbell, Of Ohio; Gray, of In
diana; Palmer, OF Illinois, and Boise, of
Iowa, for instance There are many more,
but these are most prominently mentioned.
Our own state can furnish name that
would thrill with enthusiasm every section
of the country. That name is the name of
our senior Senator, Arthur p. German.
Cleveland is easily the first choice, and
will continue to be, if over-zealous friends
do not engender bitterness toward him by
attacking other aspirants. Antagonisms
beget antagonisms.