Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-05-25
THE LOUISVILLE CONVENTION.
A Striking Evidence Of the Morfbund
Condition of the @. O. p.


A Striking Evidence Of the Moribund
Condition of the G. O. p.
The convention of the republican
clubsi n this city, in so far as it was ex-
pected to agree upon and foreshadow
national policy, upon which the party
could unite aggressively and hopefully
for future action, must have been a
great disappointment to the republicans
throughout the country who wish to
see their party restored to vigor and
power.
It is true that the convention had no
authority to make binding proclama-
ton of principles and purposes for the
party. The object of the clubs is to
work for the success of the party's plat
form and candidates, rather than to
make those platforms and candidates.
But the membership of these clubs is
drawn directly from the most active
elements of the party. 1t comes from
the rank and file, who bear the burdens
and light the battles which the official
leaders plan, and there is no
doubt that the republicans who
met for conference in this Louis
vile convention were thoroughly
representative of the party and fully
as competent to speak for it as if they,
had assembled in response to the call of
the national committee and had been
selected by the customary machine
methods by which delegates to a ma
tional convention are accredited. More
over, it was the first general and repre-
sentative assembly of republicans since
the defeat of the party last year, and,
under the peculiar and unprecedented
circumstances, there is no question
whatever that this meeting was awaited
with unusual interest, and that it was
confidently relied upon by the more
hopeful members of the republican par
ty to set in motion, not merely the par
ty machinery, but the forces which
should inspire and direct the next re-
publican campaign. The roll was not
only to be called and the lines re-
dressed, but the clarion keynote was
to be sounded, under which the next
battle was to be fought and the last
defeat retrieved.
What was the result?
The 'sboys" met and had good time.
They elected officers and made speeches
-good-natured, conventional speeches,
just such as we usually hear when
lot of good fellows get together and
have nothing to do but elect officers
ly prepared address. and the one from
which most had been expected, was
that of President Clarkson, which, as
party shibboleth, fell dead from his
lips 1t was significant that the one is
sue to which Mr.. Garrison gave most
conspicuous place in his address and
which was nearest his heart, the race
| question as political question, is now
| clearly obsolete, and has been so pro-
nounced not only by overwhelming
| verdicts of the people, but has been so
! acknowledged by the republican party
| itself. Aside from this Mr.. Clarkson
! suggested nothing in his address which
is not acceptable to democrats or which
is not question of comparatively triv-
| ial import or of such cratic nature
that no party, outside perhaps of the
| populists, would dwaddle with it as a
national issue.
The democrats would be very willing
to have Mr.. Clarkson's race and agrarian
issues adopted as the next republican
| platform, but the address, after all,
was nothing more than a catalogue of
Mr.. Clarkson's personal opinions. Its
suggestions were ignored in the resolu-
tions adopted by the convention, which
| must be accepted as it's only authorized
1 expression.
Let us search these for national
keynote
] Re ferring to the repu blican platform
of last year, they declare in favor of
the establishment Of system of arbi-
| tration for adjusting the differences
that may arise between capital and
| labor. Nobody objects to arbitration,
| if capital and labor want it, but whether
the government is to take it in hand
| and enforce it is matter which the re-
| publicans are at liberty to make a
| national political question if they
| choose.
They declare faith in the secret bal
| lot No national issue can be made of
| this, for the democrats have done more
| than the republicans to establish this
ballot, and will cooperate with them
and all other parties to maintain it.
One term for the president is urged.
! No national issue can be made of this,
| for there are as many democrats as re-
publicans who favor the restriction.
The Monroe doctrine is reaffirmed. No
democrat opposes the doctrine, and all
| democrats will fight if necessary, to en-
| force it.
This leaves two other questions which
| our friends propose to make great ma
CfOnal issues. upon winch the hopes OF
the repu blican party must rest for fu-
ture success. These are option dealing
| and woman suffrage.
The democrats have never been fool
| ish enough to commit themselves to
anti-option. The republicans are well
| come to it. AS for woman suffrage the
| democrats will not favor giving the
ballot to woman until she wants it.
How do the republicans of the coun-
try like these ringing keynotes? Has
it come to pass that a once great party,
| which has done SO much to shape the
history of the country, is now reduced
| to the issues of anti-option and woman
| suffrage? Are these the momentous
questions upon which. according to the
| commendable remarks of President
Tracy, the republican party is to go
marching down the ages, gathering
renewed honor and glory with each
| succeeding year?"
| The truth is that this convention has
| illustrated in most significant manner
| that the republican party has accom-
plished its mission. It may continue to
live awhile in name. but it will only be