St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-16
ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION.

We have a striking Illustration Of
the radical difference between par
ties in the action of the Demo-
Gratis and Republicans of New York
under almost precisely similar cir
cumstances. Prior to 1892 some Dem
ocrats Of that state had acquired abso-
Lutte control of the machinery Of the
party. They had operated it not in the
interests of the party or it's principles,
but solely for the maintenance Of the
machine and the consequent benefit of
the managers. The latter had decided
that in the national convention Of the
party that year an eminent citizen of
the state, who had occupied the presi-
dental chair for one term, should not
have the support of the state delega-
tion for a nomination. They decided
that another citizen of the state, noted
mainly for his adeptness in machine
mana cement, should have the delega-
tion, with a view to his nomination
for the presidency. To this end the
machine directed its efforts
The wishes Of a large majority of the
Democrats of the state were coolly and
defiantly ignored, and, in the "snap"
convention Of February, the machine
worked its will But revolt among
the opposing Democrats was speedily
organized a convention held and a
contesting delegation sent to Chicago
to present the protests of the rank and
file. The real purpose was not so much
to secure recognition as to assure the
convention that the regulars" did not
represent the body of the party. and
that Mr.. Cleveland, if nominated, would
have the electoral vote of the state.
The result was Mr.. Cleveland's nomina-
tion, the overthrow of the machine
and a plurality for Mr. Cleveland in
New York of 10000. The movement
was Democratic assertion of the
rights of the individual carried into
action. There was no halting at wordy
denunciation followed by submission,
but sturdy contest to a finish.
This year we find a similar condition
existing ~ the Republican party in
that state. There, too, is a machine
absolutely doni. .-sting the party. It's
engineer proposes to cast the vote of
the delegation in the national conven-
tion in whatever direction Will bring
him gain of power. 1t is as responsive
to the touch Of his finger as was the
vast array of machinery in the At
lanta exposition to the pressure Of the
presidents finger on the electric button
that set it in motion Against the
methods used in the organization of
this machine large number Of the
more selr-respecting Republicans set
themselves They proved beyond uues-
tion gross frauds in the primaries. by
which control was gained. They
brought criminal action against the
minor tools who worked these frauds.
They held mass meetings and organ
lied committees. But the machine had
won. 1t had secured the organization.
Mere protest was useless. Revolt. omen
energetic, determined, carried to the
end, was the only self-respecting or
efficient course. 1t was contemplated
but the committee concluded that party
harmony must be maintained; and that
bad as the situation was, it must be
submitted to.
Here the difference between Demo-
Gratis and Republicans begins. Here
the vital difference in the spirit of
the two parties shows itself. The in
Junction, Children, obey your parents"
in Republican politics reads: "Vot-
ers, obey your Bosses The essence
of paternalism is docility, obedience.
submission. Protest, oppose, but do not
carry your opposition into revolt; do
not protest too hard. This is paternal-
ism. 1t is the exaltation of the party
above the man. It is the subjection
of honor and decency and individual
rights not to a majority, not really to
the party even, but to the few who
by their consummate skill, their au-