The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-07-09
LIE DEMOCRATIC cONYENTION.

Louis. Delegates began to assembl
as early as last Saturday, and b.
Monday nearly all Of them were Oh
hand, though the convention was no
called to order until Wednesday a
noon.
There appear to be two principa
causes for the special interest in thi,
convention, one is to be found In tn,
attitude Of the people toward Presi.
dent Roosevelt and his policies; the
other, in expectation, hope or alarm
as to what course the democracy
would take after two crushing defeats
under the leadership of a brilliant
idealist and upon a platform Of prin-
ciples which was the product Of the
deductive type of mind. AS to the
first, Mr.. Roosevelt is idolized, hated
and distrusted. Stated broadly, the
younger republicans and the Western
republicans have made OF him an
object of hero worship; the wal horses
OF the party dislike him because he is
too much OF a frecracker, too heady,
and too FESTIVE under harness; and
the great body Of what may for want
OF a better term be called non
partisan republicans are afraid of him,
distressing his 'big stick, " his mil
itary spirit and his righteousness.
1t is very evident that a large
majority Of the rank and file of the
republican party is enthusiastic in
admiration of the president. This is
proven by the fact that the machine
men after making a feint at casting
off Mr.. Roosevelt 10 the lifetime of
Mr. Hanna, gave it up and did not
dare to oppose him. And when the
republican organization does not dare
to lay violent hands on a man there
is a reason for it. Nor is there likely
to be the slightest opposition to Mr..
Roosevelt on the part Of the great
moneyed interests of the country and
of the unlawful trusts. He made his
peace with them when he had the
abscess on his leg and stopped short
10 his swing around the circle two
years ago. But there are many people
nominally republicans, a great many,
belonging to the middle classes socially
aud in business, who believe in mod.
crate reforms, the avoidance of war,
the curing Of sectionalism, the careful
preservation Of constitutional land.
marks-who, in short, believe tn
we have enough on our hands now to
engage our civic energies without
carrying either a chip or a big stick.
people are anxiously watching
what the democrats are doing not so
much with a view Of becoming demo-
as of welcoming the opportunity
that may be afforded The republican
Machine Of clubbing the president
INTO terms as the tariff beneiclaries
two years ago.
IS to the special interest which
democrats feel In the St. Louis con.
'ention, it arises chiefly from the fact
hat the South, which eight years
go aligned itself with the West
Ipon economic issues, has for months
'een showing signs Of alligniug itself
his time with the East upon consti.
utional issues. The South is a
I Roosevelt and his race equality -,
1eas. 1t is afraid Of the republican ;
Iatsorm threat of reducing represen. ,
alton at the South. 1t knows that
be IndianUla and the DR.. Crum i,
accidents have provoked restlessness ,
nd even violence, and it means to
EEK relief where relief can be found ,
here may be some bitterness In the !.
Vest at the South's detection, but :
he South is influenced by the strongest !
OF its being. With the South !
ne question is not Bryan or Hill, :
OF free silver or gold standard; it is :
ONE rule or republican c~arpetbagism, :
lcendiarism. and riot. The very i,
'remost leaders of the South 10 the :
lmpaigns Of '96 and l9OO-Bailey, :
Iilliams, Morgan, Daniels, Carmack !,
nd Tillman-are its leaders now in !,
lis new alignment. !.
A forecast OF election probabilities ,
Dw is premature. But it is believed =
lat President Roosevelt is not by :
ny means the strongest man 10 the =
publican party and that a strong :,
ian on a conservative democratic :
Iatform could defeat him. /,