Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-09
A Contrast in Conventions.

What has the Democratic party done
at it's convention at st. Louis. this
week, to recommend it's candidates or
| it's policies to the great mass of in
telligent American citizens who will go
to the polls next November? The
Harmony which has prevailed has
been that which characterized the ia
nous encounter of the Kilkenny cats.
and it's conservatism" has been that
which was SO prominent at the old
time Donnybrook fair. In many re-
spects the gathering afforded strik-
| ing contrast to that great convention
at Chicago, a few weeks ago. 1t was
expected that this later gathering
would view with ALARM after the
traditional Democratic custom. for IT.
certainly has nothing, to which It could
point with pride, but this was only one
of the contrasts. The st. Louis con-
vention has been a succession of vaude-
vile stunts and riots. Heads have
been broken, and police Interference
has been necessary. A man, twice
candidate OF his party for the Presi-
dency, has stood upon the platform
and declared that the Democratic lead
ers in the great state of Illinois were
worse than horse thieves. Unseateh
delegates have cried fraud" 'intimi-
dation" and bribery" as they Were
hustled out.
The temper of the convention is in
dicated by the fact that Temporary
Chairman Williams made his greatest
hit when he referred to the presence
of little white and colored children
at the Republican convention waving
American flags and declared that this
incident merely shows that the Repub-
lican party stands fo.' the social equal
ity and intermarriage of the two races!
Frequently in his spec oh, Mr.. Williams
descended to the unfettered Oratory
tI ire stump dIHi cNtif W tfiC
of the corner grocery debate. using Ian
guaee and expressing sentiments alto
Ger of a great convention and to a man
protesting to be n gentleman and
scholar. His address was absolutely
an antithess of the speech of Mr.. RI ut
at Chicago, whose COMPREHENSIVE, CO.
herent and convincing address was one
of the most powerful arguments to the
American people that has been made
in many 4 day. 1t was Il speech which
will have great effect during the COM
ing campaign; and so, for that matter,
will the speech of Chairman Williams.
though its effect will be quite the con-
trary to that intended and hoped for
by the speaker.
Democratic editors have been sneer--
ing at the harmony and dignity which
marked the proceedings of the Republic
can convention at Chicago, but it is n
safe TO wager that the Democratic lead
ers would give all they possess If
| something of that same harmony ard
decorum could be injected into their
| own convention proceedings: if their
delegates could be stirred into some
Of the genuine enthusiasm for Il great
| leader that marked the nomination of
Roosevelt at Chicago; and if they had
m1l to preside and address the con-
vention possessing the ability, the
craftsmanship, the eiOquence and the
convincing power of Speaker Cannon.
| ex- Secretary Root, Ex-Governor Black
and Senator Beveredee.
The demoralized and disorganized
Democracy may pride itself that it has
buried Organism and is getting to-
gether above it's grave but the stencil
that arises is an offense i'm the nos
| trils of all decent citizens; and the
survivors of the conflict, those presid
| ing over the grim and gruesome re-
union, are not men whom the country
will care to trust. The doings of this
weeks convention at ST. Louis only
| emphasize the certainty that the
American people will continue to give
| their votes and their confidence to Re.
plblican candidates and Republican
policies.