Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-19
Instructions to sa.iona, Delegates.

Instructions to National Delegates.
A question that now coDfronts the
Democrats of Delaware. and which will
be determined at their coming State
Convention, is whether the delegates to
the National Democratic Convention
then 60 be selected shall be instructed,
or permitted to exercise their own free
will, according to the conditions that
may confront them at the convention.
The wisdom of instructing delegates
to national conventions Is very doubt
full, and instructions should be given
only when the situation authorizes
them. For instance. when any Stale
that has a "faporite son, whose nomi-
nation, in the firm opinion Of his fellow
party associates, would advance the in
terests of the party and furnish an accep-
table and capable candidate for the
Presidency, it is right and proper that
the National Convention delegates
should be instructed to do all in their
power to bling about his nomination.
These instructions may simply be in the
but the delegates will understand, and
it will be their desire to do so, that
they are to use all honorable means to
secure his nomination, and only cease
when they see that his chances are
hopeless, and that the interests OF the
party might be impaired by a longer
insistence upon his candidacy.
Here in Delaware, the delegates sent
to the National Cony entions of 1876.
1880 and 1884 we've unanimously and
enthusiastically instructed to do all in
their power to secure the nomination of
our late distinguished fellow citizen,
the Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, and most
faithfully did they comply with these
instr uctions, although without success.
In 1888, the Democracy of Delaware.
In accord with the general Democratic
sentiment, endorsed the administration
of President Cleveland, which at that
time was equivalent to request for
his denomination. In 1892, Delaware
Democrats gave no instructions to their
National Convention delegates, but at
the convention they fell in with the
overwhelming Democratic demand OF
the country for the third nomination Of
Mr. Cleveland, despite the fact that be
was viciously opposed by the politicians
of lis own State, who threw the New
York delegation solidly against him,
but were powerless to secure his defeat.
In 1886 the Delaware Democrats AGAR
left their delegates free 10 act as they
pleased, and the vote in the convention
was divided. Mr.. Bryan received on,
vote en- four ballots and two on thu
fifth. Ex-Governor Pattison received
three votes and one delegate did no
vote.
| 1t would seem the part of wisdom fo
the Delaware Democratic State Con
yention of 1900 to follow the precedent
of 1892 and 1896, and send delegation
to the Kansas City Convention unham
pered by inst uctions. Delaware Demo
Gratis now have no '.favorite son" t,
urge for the nomination, and there /
no reason why they should array them
selves in advance in favor of the nomi
nation OF the "favorite SOM OF an
|. other State. BY this plan harmony Il
, the party will be subserved, and th
, party will not be handicapped by
partisan division right at the threshold
of the important campaign upon whic
!, 1t is entering.
There is great need that the Demo
: Gratis of Delaware should stand togethe
! this year, in order to prevent thei
,, State government fron falling into th
control of a corrupt and unscrupulor
political organization. And this en-
a will be materially advanced by avoidin
all irritating and impracticable que
tions at their opening State CONVEX
II ton.