The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-25
strife Invited.


cratic party are earnestly urging the
party TO hold only one state convention
this year. In support Of the one conven-
ton scheme they say they are not afraid
OF the people. What then are they afraid
Of that they should so suddenly want the
custom Of thirty years changed? They
must be afraid OF something. or else they
would not be so anxious for the new de-
parture that they have suggested. Their
anxiety is in such marked contrast with
the poverty OF their argument as to justify
the conclusion that they are afraid that
have much OF a representation in the dele
cation that will be sent to the nationa!
democratic convention.
Even Senator Bacon finds time in the
multitude Of duties that press upon him
at Washington to say that he thinks il
for the best interests Of the party that
there shall be only one convention this
year. The reason he gives for this opinion
is that Eve ought to do as little as posi-
bic to stir 10 strife"
But does not the senator see-how can
he help seoing-that the effect of the ef-
fort to change a custom of such long
standing that it has almost the authority
Of written law is to stir up strife? He
says he wants to avoid strife. and
straightway put himself on record in favor
Of something that is certain to provoke
strife
And why does the proposed change tend
to provoke strife? For many reasons.
some of which are so apparent that It
is unnecessary to enumerate them. The
proposed change is suggested by the
leaders OF the silverites. and not by lead
ers of both silverites and those who favor
sound money. That fact excites sus>
picion that an advantage is sought. and
the suspicion is not without reason.
Again, why should Georgia democrats
frame their state platform before they
know what the national platform is 1t is
probable that the silverites want only one
convention because they think they would
stand a better chance of controlling 1t
than they would of controlling two con-
ventions. The opportunity for confusing
the people by mixing national politics with
state politics would be greater. particular
~ as a state ticket is to be nominated.
If there should be only one convention and
the sllverites should control 1t. they
would put a free silver coinage plank in
the platform. That would likely make
confusion. Senator Bacon admits that he
does not think the national democratic
platform will contain a free silver coinage
plank. The Georgia democracy would be
in a pretty fix wouldn't 1t. if it should
enter the campaign this year on a plat
form antagonistic to the national plat
form on the leading issue before the coun-
try? And the presidential electors:
would they not also be chosen under the
one convention plan before the national
ticket was nominated and the national
platform was made? Suppose the elect
ors chosen were not in harmony with the
national platform on the money question?
The democracy of Georgia would occupy
ridiculous position, would it not? How
could it conduct a campaign successfully
on any such basis?
There is still another reason why the
proposed change should not be made 1t
is doubtful If the state committee
has no authority to make it. The
Morning News has already called
attention to this opint, which
has also suggested itself to some of the
democratic leaders. The state committee
has only such authority as is given it by
the convention which selected it. The au-
thority to say that there shall be only
one convention when custom says there
shall be two has not been given it. The
democratic party is a party of strict con-
struction. 1t doesn't permit it's agents to
assume authority. 1t allows them to ex-
ercise only the authority delegated to it.
We do not see what Senator Bacon
could have been thinking about when he
said the democracy of the state would
avoid strife by holding only one conven-
ton If he really wants TO avoid strife
he should hasten to advise that the GUS
tom of holding two conventions be ad-
hered to. The one convention scheme, il
it should be carried into effect would i'll
the party with strife.