Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-01-03
THE DEMOCRATS AND TIE TREAT
les.
From the \. Y. Herald. !

1t is reported from Washington that
the democrats may array themselves
against the several treaties now under
consideration, for no better reason than
that this party should oppose all meas
ures initiated by their political adver-
saries, and should reject as a danger
AID all evil whatever has been imagin-
ed Or contrived by republicans. Per-
haps this is an invention of the ene-
mics Of the democrats; but it is wor-
thy of note that some democratic organs
are outspOken against the treaties, and
it is certain that the tendency to oppose
things under the impulse Of mere
narrow partisan antipathy is not con-
fined to the Blaine men. In each Of
the four treaties to be acted upon there
are both al economical and q political
side to the case, and the democrats. it
strikes US, would be wise If they judged
the many points involved in these upon
their merits, and not upon u shallow
fancy touching their origin.
People are now looking to the demo-
cratic party, and will be looking more
aud more for it to show itself so,nc-
thing beside mere empty anlilhesis to
the republican party. Ii purity exists
only to oppose and defeat whatever
another party originates, without re-
gard to whether the thing originated is
good or bad, that is party which the
| people can do without and will do
without; and we believe there are
plenty of democrats who understand
this. Unfortunately our national poll.
tics have for some years presented q
condition that has encouraged with the
unthinking the opinion that parties ex.
| ist only to exercise each toward the
other an irrational hostility. Precise
ly what democrat was It's opposed to
u republican, aside from legislation
consequent upon the war, and aside
from the fact that one was in and the
other out, was all insoluble problem
And even when the conflict came II,
which the democrats gained their great
victory the real issue was a persona
Que. 1t turned upon the decency and
honesty OF candidates, aud not upon
any party policy.
But the democrats will make q blum
der if they do not reflect that there is tt
be change in this particular. Grea
subjects are forcing themselves to the
trout and demanding settlemcnt-sub-
jects that the republicans purpOseiy
kept in abey ance because, AS they be-
Ileved they could maintain their su
p macy ON other grounds, they did
not care to run any chances upOI
,.w and doubtful issues. But III.
democrats will have to face the respon
sibility, and the question whether tina
party is i'll for one term only VI nauy
terms will turn upon the courage ant
sagacity with which il arrays llself up.
On the side of the people and i'll sup
port of the national aspirations upOI
the subjects that The republicans vii
do their utmost to fore to determina
ton. President Arthur has shown him
self to be u very adroit politician in til,
use he has made OF his time in putting
the incoming party upon trial, but th'
} democrats will not Outplay him b,
avoiding the issue. In the Nicaragua
treaty there is one poinl-the cana
project--so closely related to naliona
passion OF the American people and S,
ultimately involved with sollc favored
theories OF the great democrats that
is hardly too much to say that ii tn
democrats are not wise in their treat
ment of it they will give their oppo
nents ali advantage upon n ljch the
may Garry the country.