Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-06-04
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1910.
fCantluned


Notwithsta nding the overpowering
Whig enthusiasm throughout the
campaign of 1910. and towards the
last the almost absolute certainty of
Whig victory, Delaware Democrats
made hard fight to the last hour.
They never despaired of victory in
nation and State until the cold figures
of the elections were apparent to all.
The Delaware Gazette was unusual
ly vigorous and aggressive, all things
considered, and certainly made The
best of the disconcerting conditions
that attended the Democratic cam
paign that year. 1t came out FOR the
denomination of President Martin
Van Buren, and President Rich
ard Nj. johnson early In the year. Sub
ssquently, after an expression by the
Democratic state Convention to that
end. II substituted the name of James
X. Polk OF Tennessee for that of John
son for Nice-President. and kept ii
standing In its columns To election day.
Notwithstanding that both Van Buren
and johnson were renominated by the
Democratic party. Why 1t did this is
not revealed by a cursory examination
of it's files.
An Auspicious Opening.
The Democratic campaign opened
auspiciously by n large and enthusi-
astic Repuhlican--as the Gazette in
sisted upon calling its party through
out the campaign-connty meeting ut
Delaware City on Saturday, May 30.
The steamer Ohio was chartered to
carry passengers from Wilmington,
free of charge, and according TO the
Gazette the privilege was accepted by
about eight hundred farmers, me-
chnaics and laboring men from the
upper hundreds" 1t may be pre-
sumed that all the plutocrats were as
sociated with the Whig party. The
e>cursionists and others marched
through the streets OF Delaware City,
stc cheer the dropping spirits of the
Wings" according TO the Gazette's
fiambuoyant account of the gathering.
The county meeting indorsed Prest-
dent Van Buren for denomination. with
James X. Polk for Vice-President. and
APPOINTED committee consisting OF
Andrew c. Gray--father of our Judge
George Gray-William T. Read and
John Watson Evans TO prepare
an address to the Republicans of New
Castle county, IL then adjourned 60
meet at Bear Tavern, in New Castle
hundred, on Saturday. September 8.
The Gazette was joyously confident
Of victory at this period OF the cam
naign. The skies are bright and
cheering" il cxultantly proclaimed
and ii exhorted the Republicans OF
Delaware TO ''be firm, Jealous and
united, and success will crown our
Efforts
The Democratic State Convention
was held at Dover. as usual, that year
and after indorsing Van Buren and
Polk. nominated Warren jefferson OF
Sussex county for governor and Col
onel Thomas Robinson. Jr., also OF
Sussex county, for Representative in
Congress Why such a generous con-
ccssion was extended 10 Sussex county
is not stated in the records of that
day, but il may we'll be imagined how
such a proposition would have been
received some years later. But this
"hogging" Of both the leading nomi-
nations by Sussex Democrats on thai
occasion does not appear to have
figured in any manner in bringing
upon the party the defeat that be-
came its portion in November. The
convention also nominated Major
Christopher Vandegrift. Nehemiah
Clark and Thomas Jacobs for Presi.
Dental Electors. and at great
gathering" on Dover Green. during
the afternoon. enjoyed an address by
James A Bayard.
The State Convention having com.
pleted its work, and a county meeting
at New Castle on Saturday, September
%. having made the local homina.
tions. the Gazette continued its cam
paign labors with renewed vigor and
with an intensity at times fairly saw
age il asked no quarter and gavs
none. In its view the Whig party
was composed of British Wings" and
with this scathing appelia tive it repei.
led the Whig charges that the Demo
cratic national campaign was largely
financed by British gold
Arraigned as .BritIsh Whjgs.-
On September Il, the anniversary