The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-08-04
fractional. ANlM0SlIi.

L
to be getting more litter from day to
day. The leading politicians Of both
sides would no doubt hail democratic
victory as thing to be desired under
| the circumstances, Although the ma
iorlty of republicans Of both factions
would be glad to walk the middle Of the
road and to do All they could toward
paving the way for It re united party
the day for compromise has passed Tor
the present as far as the leaders are
concerned. The rank and file oi the
Badger republicans would be Only too
glad to hail the olive branch and be
instrumental in bridging the chasm
that has torn the party asunder; but
they are powerIess The leaders are the
whole thing They control the STU
alton and will fight to the last ditch be-
fore permitting the opposing faction to
get the asceudency The word compro-
mise has been struck out of their vo-
| cabulary. The majority Of the smaller
| and more self seeking republican polltl-
ciaus would be glad to leave no stone
| unturned to effect n reconciliation OF
| the two factions but they, like the rank
and file Of both sides are absolutely
powerle-a. They must declare them
selves for one side or the other or be
yehemcntly opposed and ostracized by
! beth These lesser politicians that are
after the flesh pot would fain walk the
middle of the road and receive the
support Of both factions but the leaders
won't have it so. They are determined
to down the opposing faction and with
this end in view will if necessary,
unite with the democrats,
The fight extends to every legislative
district and every county IN the state.
The moment any person announces
himself ~ candidate for the repuhl
can nomination for state senator, assem-
blyman or any county office, he has to
declare himself u, TO the side he takes.
If be fails to declare his unqualified ad
hesion TO one of the factions he Will at
once become Il target for the shafts OF
opposition and ridcule Of both Of them,
In view Of all these facts II democratic
victory in Wisconsin is assured. Indeed,
a victory Of either republican faction Il
almost ont Of the question. The repnb
lican party is pretty evenly divided ne
tween the two factions. The total re-
publican voting strength has, in recent
years never been POO per cent OF the
democratic voting strength. Many re
publcana will vote the democratic
ticket this year, and because Of the
harmony and hopeful spirit now prevail
ng in the state and national democracy.
few democrats will support either re-
publican faction
If the democrats in their state con
veulion will do the right thing and show
Themselves capable of Selling the oppor.
tunity that has now presented itself,
they will become SO firmly inireuchcd
in power that it will take years for the
republicans TO dislodge them, But q
effect this result every act Of the com
ing convention at Oshkosh must be-
marked hy Il spirit Of wisdom. The
platform to lee adopted should be in
harmony with the platform Of the
national democracy. 1t should he
couched in plain, clear, straig forward
and unmistakable terms. 1t should
represent the united wisdom of the best
democratic heads in the state. Every
word of it should be We'll considered.
Every plank Of it should be- Of well
seasoned democratic timber But this
alone il not enough to insure victory.
A good strong, clean ticket must lac
placed in the field. The men to be-
nominated for the several state Offices
shouldhe of a mental moral ana political
callbcr to command the respect aud in
yite the unqualified support Of all dem
o.rals IN the state The opportunity
has prc,"ntcd Itself Lot il not pass by
uuhccded Let the convention fling
open lis portals and embrace it,