Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-02
KENTUCKY.

The condition Of things In Kentucky is
much 10 be deplored. The Democratic
marty gems to be hopelessly divided there.
At the primaries of Saturday last free
silver carried the State by good MAORI
ties. These primaries or conventions
were called TO select delegates to the
Democratic district conventions, when
meet at Lexington on the day after To-
morrow. All sorts Of questions were
mixed up with these local affairs. One
was the reelection OF Mr.. Blackburn to
the United States Senate. Another was
n resolution declaring for Mr.. Carlisle
FOR President Of the United States. ME-
blackburn seems TO have already secured
his nomination for the place he seeks;
but Mr.. Carlisle, so recently the favorite
son of Kentucky for any position he de-
sired was turned down. Many coun-
ties refused to endorse him for the presi-
dency. and declined to approve the work
Of the Democratic national administra-
zion. The silver men held separate meet
,ngs I'm five city-districts. and will not
content themselves with this irregular
proceeding, but will make a contest at
Lexington.
In a word, free silver carried Kentucky
last Saturday by a decided, not TO say
overwhelming vote. But the worst of 1t
Is that the end Of last Saturdays prima-
ries is not yet come. The sound-money
men, it is announced. intend TO make
contest at Lexington, where the district.
conventions meet day after tomorrow.
There viii be a high time there. There
IS no fight like a fight between brethren.
But what good end is to be accomplished
by this fierce battle between Democrats
in Kentucky. we cannot imagine.
However If the Democrats OF Virginia
will preserve their equanimity they may
yet do something that will save the Demo-
cratic party in this state from
engaging in a dangerous fight among
themselves. They must be exceed
ingly prudent, for, unfortunately the
day of the meeting of the Chicago
convention is long way off, and 1t Is
not impossible that the condition of things
"a Kentucky may lead at once to fierce
contest between friends which will last
till that body assemblies Sound money
IL as strong in the Northern States as
free silver is i'm the South; and in the
Democratic National Convention delegates
from all sections will stand upon the
same footing. The delegate from Re
publican district will be entitled TO neu-
fralize the vote of district represented
by Democrat. This has always been
the custom of both parties, and will no
doubt, prevail as usual this year. But
a solid South will be very apt TO feel
that there is something wrong with such
q custom.
However this may be. it may be set
down as certain that there are TO be fierce
contests all along the line between the
silverites representing sllverite States and
the hard-money men. Kentucky will
complain that though she is Democratic
State Massachusetts is allowed to neu-
tralize her strength in the Democratic
National Convention. But all these com
plants will so for nothing. These con-
tests will be sure to come on, and viii
eliminate we know not where.
But cannot Virginia lend a helping hand
TO the cause OF Cancellation between the
hard-money men and the silverites2 Is
not the Old Dominion Democratic first
and silyerite afterwards? Cannot some
means be devised OF preventing a hope
less division In the Democratic ranks.
Cannot ''good men and tlrle'' be found
who win sink the ephemeral questions
OF the day and align the Democrats along
with the advocates of the principles left
TO us by Thomas jefferson and Andrew
Jackson?