The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-11
A Plain stntcment Asked For.

4 Plain Statement Asked For.
The Constitution is still beating its
breast and protesting that in urging that
the state democracy hold only one con-
venuon this year it represents the people.
But is it sure that it represents the peo-
pie? We notice that in an article enti-
tied "On Reflection" which appeared in
its Sunday issue. It said: THE Constitu-
tion took occasion. through its correspond
ents. TO sound democratic public opinion
on the subject, and the result has more
than justified the belief that the promi-
nent democrats Of the state, without re-
gard to their views on the financial ques-
tion. are in favor of holding only one
state convention this year. This fact has
been Overwhelmingly demonstrated by the
reports sent in by our correspondents from
every part of the state. The proposition
was Endorsed. as we have said. by both
men and newspapers who are in favor
Of the financial policy of the administra-
ton"
What we would like to know is this:
Did the Constitution instruct all of its
correspondents to find out what the SEN
timent of the democrats in their respect
i've communities on the one convention
movement was, or did it instruct them
to send only the opinions Of democrats
who favored the movement? We think
this is a fair question, in view of the fact
that in the foregoing extract from its
editorial it says it took occasion to sound
democratic sentiment and also in view
of the fact that it has been doubted in
some quarters that views of democrats
opposed to one convention were sought. or,
If received. were all published.
We do not mean to say that the Con-
stitution sought the views of those only
who favored one convention or that it
suppressed the views of any who were
opposed to one convention. We only want
to find out whether it gave those who are
opposed to one convention the same chance
to get their views before the
public through its columns as
it gave those who favor one
convention. If it favored only those
who agree with it, there is no good rea-
son, it seems to us, why it should claim
it represents the people. and refer to the
interviews it published in support of its
claim.
We think the Constitution should an
swer the questions we ask in order that
any doubt as to the value of the inter-
views it published may be set at rest. If
they are entitled to the value which the
Constitution attaches to them the fact
ought to be known. The Constitution
alone is in position to say how much
value is to be attached to them by an
swering the foregoing questions.
In this connection there is another mat
ter that ought not to be overlooked. 1t
is that great many democrats at first
thought one convention would be advisa-
BILE. The fact that if only one convention
was held the presidential electors would
be chosen and the state platform made be-
fore the national platform was formu-
lated was overlooked by them. AS soon
as they saw that the one convention move
ment might result in putting the state
| democracy in opposition to the national
democracy they changed their views. AS
reasonable and fair minded men they
could hardly have done otherwise. These
are the men who, according to the Con-
stitution. changed their views because they
were instructed to do so from Washing
ton. No, they were not instructed. There
was no need for instruction. They were
! influenced simply by desire for the well
fare of the democratic party.