National Republican., 1886-08-18
Anti.Demooratio Demooroov.

Anti Democratic Democracy.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, has no con-
fidence in the Democratic party, but has
unbounded faith in democracy when
spelled with lower case d. 1t believes in
the right and in the capacity Of the people
to govern themselves, and is in favor OF
keeping the government as near to the peo-
pie, and as much under their control as
can be done without violating the spirit or
letter of the fundamental law.
The greatest OF many objections to the
Democratic party is that 1t is anti-demo-
cratic. 1t has been an anti-democratic party
at every stage OF It's existence from the
hour OF It's birth to the present moment.
Its vigorous youth aud lusty middle life
were devoted to the nurture Of human
slavery. IL made war-by one OF its two
wings that would not 'flap together''--
on the federal Union and the old flag be.
cause slavery could not keep even pace
with freedom. After the close of that Dem.
ocratic rebellion the old party spent much
Of its time till March, 1885, in gabbling
about "Republcan display and "Jeffer-
sonian simplicity" but when crime In the
south and Mugwumpery 10 New York had
set the Democracy up In business again, in
the very shop II had striven so hard to de-
stroy, II launched out In such lavish aud
costly display as TO throw the ''era OF Re-
publican corruption" entirely in the shade
and make OF "Jelfersonlan simplicity" a
thing for laughter, filings, and ieers.
An effort is now being made to carry into
effect provision Of the Nebraska consti
| ~ intended IN rnaEa afafn
democratic. 1t appears that In 1875
mandatory provision was inserted in that
instrument to the effect that in the general
election Immediately preceding the ex-
piration OF the term of United States
senator the electors should by ballot ex-
press their preference for the person whom
they should prefer for senator. Though
such legislation as this amendment required
to give II effect was secured, there has
never been any action taken upon IL. Now,
Senator Van Wyck, whose term expires
next March, asks his constituents to give
force to the amendment by voting on the
senatorship as required.
1t appears to us that the provision is a
good one in that 1t binds the government
closer to the source OF power. But be-
cause 1t is democratic 1t is disapproved by
the Democracy. The Hartford TiniAs,
yoicing Democratic sentiment, says:
The vote Of the people can have no possible
binding effect upon the Legislature, whose
action is controlled by the preferences of it-
own members and the laws of the United
, States.
OF course it could have no binding effect
in law, but 1t would have a very great
moral effect. II the vote were anything
like unanimous the legislators would not
venture to disregard 1t. These are not the
times when politicians can afford TO trample
on the popular will. The Times continues:
The amendment is a foolish one. The state
gains nothing by It, Its enforcement would
involve personal and bitter squabbles for
Office, adding to political turmoils which are
aggravating enough already Moreover, there
Is fair and constitutional separation of the
powers conferred upon the people of a state
and those which deyolye upon legislative
body.
The amendment is there. The people
put 1t there. 1t is as much part OF theil
constitution as any OF the original sections
Any candidate for the Senate has right tc
demand its application. We take no par
in the contest for the senatorship between
Mr.. Van Wyck and his Republican competi
tors, but we insist that this amendment 1!
wise because 1t enlarges the area of indi
yidual power and responsibility. And W.
90 further-it is nobody's business outsid,
Of the state Of Nebraska whether 1t is good
, or bad. The people OF that state made 4
for their own use. When they don't like 4
they will do away with 1t. AS to the division
of power between the people and thei
I servants, the legislators, we have only Il
= say that the nearer the servant comes t
= obedience to the will Of the master tn,
l. better for all concerned. The nearer leg
islature comes to carrying out the wishes o.
the people the more nearly does state ap
Q proximate the ideal republic.