The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-12
LAW Oh ANARCHY.

The proceedings of the Chicago conven-
tion in a most unmistakable manner
reveal the spirit which animated it. In
the proceedings there were no traces of
discipline, of a well-ordered will or of a
settled purpose growing out OF clear
conviction of what it were best to do. Hill
and Whitney may have had plan and
Altgeld and the Senatorial clique may
have formulated some rule OF conduct for
their action, but neither the New York
leaders, the Chicago bosses nor the South
ern chiefs could infuse saeacity into the
foolish mob, direct its action to any def
iiite end, or bring order out of its wild
confusion.
The ticket that resulted from such an
aimless, undirecred inconsiderate gather
ing is Just what might have been expected.
young stump speaker without record
in public service. without experience in
any administrative office, without any
show of craftsmanship, was nominated for
the Presidency in whirl of folly resulting
from the ''whoop-up" of an imprisoned
speech. After this evidence of lunacy the
convention adjourned for night with
the avowed purpose of giving itself time
to act wisely in the selection of q cardi-
date for the Vice Presidency. 1t met yes
terday without having the slightest idea
of whom it would nominate or why it
would nominate him, and after several
Intellectual ballots went off its feet and
gave the nomination to an unknown man
from Maine.
Both candidates are from Republican
States. Ii Bryan can get Populist support
he may possibly carry Nebraska. but Sewall
can give his party not the slightest hope of
carrying Maine. He has no reputation to
strengthen his party in other States and
in his own he will not carry his home
county. Never in our history was ticket
nominated with less common-sense than
this. The convention sim ply went it blind.
1t acted like an unorganized mob animated
by no other idea than that of refusing to
follow any one who had reputation as a
leader.
This lawlessness of action was the result
of lawlessness OF spirit. From Altgeld,
who is half an anarchist to Tillman, who
is half secessionist, there was in the con
vention every kind OF mischief maker
known TO the North, the South, the East
or the West. These men cared nothing for
the business interests of the country, moth
ing for those great industries by which the
people live, nothing for the /welfare OF
workingmen or the industrious of any
class. They we're there to give utterance
only to their own discomfort and their de-
sire for agitation and disturbance. They
allowed full license to their passions in
speech and action. and after harangues of
the lowest order of oratory from Altgeld
and Tillman wound up by nominating this
ticket of Bryan and Sewall.
Before the Chicago convention met it
seemed the issue of the campaign would
be the choice between protection or free
trade, industry or idleness. To-day every
one realizes the dominant issue is between
law or disorder, government or anarchy.
If we are to have government at ali after
this election it must be a government by
the Republican party. There is no other
choice. 1t is either Mckinley and prosper
ity or Bryan and confusion.