The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-12-28
Written for The Spirit Of Democracy.l
The Views of an Old Democrat on
the Political Situation.

Ed. SPIRIT Dear Sir: What Of the
future of the Democratic party3 is the
question that is daily asked by many
persons that belong TO and affiliate with
it. Toa person that takes an interest in
the success OF the party and its getting
control Of the country there seems to be-
but one way and one Of the first mo-
tions towards that is for the leaders OF
the party to once more be Democrats.
shake off the idea of working for the
interest OF any man but for the success
of the party and under no consideralion1
work ami vote for any but men that
are known to be Democrats from princi-
pie and will do what they car for the
election VI any and all of the candidates
that may secure the n minaticn before
any Democratic convention. The one
great fault in the party is the desire OF
some members and leaders OF the masses
80 called to j5in any faction that mays
spring up with hope OF split in the
opposition, hut men must always hear in
mind that when election day comes the
split they anticipated did not malerialz.
to any alarming extent and then you will
hear the same expression" sold again,
and then yon will notice all over the
country desire to defeat some porticu4
lar candidate and will form any combs
nation they can to carry ont their perso-
nal spite OF jealously. L)ok for in
stance at New York city the other day.
where they formed an alliance with the
opposition to defeat certain man for
office, notably. John Kelley. l will say
right here, politically speaking, l think
the very worst man belonging to the
Tammany Society is better than The best
Republican in New York. You will see
by looking over the list OF officers se-
lected by the board of Alderman in New
York that, in city with City thousand
Democratic majority the Republicans
coming very near getting the lions
share. 1t is egotisticaI in one of nv
limited ability to critisise the great men
lin Congress but for all that there is
scarcely any person that has watched the
movements for the past four years since
the Democrats have had control OF the
lower house, or ought to h.ve had it,they
beiag in a majority the Republicans have
in fact controlled the Legislation and that
alone has made the people lose conf
dence in the ability OF the Democratic
party to successfully rule the country.
The Democrats have allowed the Re-
publicans the sea, in every contest nearly,
both in the Senate and Lower House.
Next winter they will see how many
Democrats are allowed to hold their seats
when they are contested by Republicans,
perhaps they will learn q lesson. il they
are capable of taking learning, Time
alone will tell. My idea is and it is an
1 "Ohio Idea" that when the old leaders
take . back seat and the young Democ-
racy steps in the front who have pro-
gressive ideas and nerve and energy to
i fight the political battle with the will and
determination TO win, as of old, then and
not till then will they be successful. No
trading with the opposition as in the
Hayes Kellogg Electoral Commission,
thereby seinllg out the Presidency for a
time and there by probably the control OF
the Government for long, time to come.
1t is time all that K ectoral Com mission
were retired and let other m n take their
place who are not afraid to stand by their
right, II.