The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-05-03
In Favor of the Democracy.

The general current OF the popular
mind, as indicated by the elections, is
Enthusiastically in favor of the Democ-
racy. This is conceded to be so. Yet
our opponents keep up good heart in
the face of all discouraging appearances,
based simply on expectation that before
another Presidential election shall occur
the Democrats will so blunder as to de-
stroy public confidence in their leader
ship. This indicates our greatest dan
ger, and the time for efectually warding
it off is before the ship is near the break
ers. One primal fact deserves to be
kept constantly in view. Strongly as
men may be attached to party, those
who lead in the great and substantial
business affairs of the country will not
allow them 70 be trihed with at the be-
hest of any man, however brilliant in
leadership or successful in centering the
attention of a thoughtless crowd upon
himself. In the absence of any issue
which takes hold on sentiment the busi-
ness interest will be certain to con-
troll a Presidential election. Dem
agogy and charlatanism or polit-
ical harlotry may succeed in car
rying local election here and there,
but this only awakens among wise and
thoughtful men increased vigilance and
more early and determined effort to
arrest its progress and prevent threat
ened disaster. An effort is to be made,
under the plea of danger from corpora
ton and monopoly, to enlist the So
called workingmen of the country into
a compact body by means of their Or
ganic machinery, and under the form of
great popular movement to nominate
candidate for the Presidency in antic-
ipation of the National conventions OF
Democratic and Republican parties and
thus force one or the other to adopt the
workingman' figurehead. All the dis
the lazy, are to be woven into this
movement, and the hands of cunning
and experienced manipulators are al
ready engaged in fusing them SO as to
make them an all-important factor in
the next campaign. This is emphatic
| ally the seed time of political mounte-
banks. While the people at large are
engrossed in their usual avocations, an
eremy is sowing tares all the while,
and before the public is aware of it the
control of the caucus and convention is
liable to be secured past relief except
by open revolt.
In this view, it behooves every honest
Democrat to take early cognizance OF
the basis of hope cherished by the Re-
publicans to which attention has been
called, and to guard specially against
all entangling alliances with political
shysters, however specious their pleas
or cunning and skillful they may be in
the practice of their art. Let no men
be trusted as leaders whose history and
record give the lie to their pretensions
of special devotion to popular rights
and workingmen's interests. The best
protection against imposition from any
quarter is every mans own manhood,
and an intelligent control of his own
political action, and this both now and
hereafter. Intelligent business men are
capable of taking care of their own in.
terests and will. They will be slow to
tie up with leaders who, while loud in
pretensions for the benefit of other peo.
pie, are intent only on grinding axes OF
J their own.-Boston Post