Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-14
A Question for New Voters.

Any young man. before he enrolls himself
under the democratic banner, should consId-
err seriously this question: III l join the
democratic party, how long can ! stay with III
We will assume that, like ma65 young men
fresh from their studies, he is inclined to free
trade IDEAS. We will suppose that he votes
the democratic ticket In November and con-
siders himself member OF that party. A
few weeks later the legislature OF his state
for this NAV he true in any state-mects, and
high license bill or some other strict tenn
perance measure Is introduced. He sees his
new found party rally solidly to oppose 1t I'M
der the dictst'on OF the liquor dealers. He is
vexed aud ashamed. He is intelligent, we'll
educated and sincere. His con. cience compe 3
him TO oppose the party he has just Joined, and
to denounce its action.
Later on, b il for the publication and bet
ter protection OF the ballot IL introduced.
Here he sgain sees his party solldly contend
ing against a measure which probably every
CONSCIENTIOUS voter In both parties wants 10
see passed. Again he Is yexed and ashamed.
IL seems 10 him that the party leaders are
actuated by the lowest motives, pander 10 the
worst classes OF society, and are besides blind
10 the signs OF the times. Again he opposes
the party In which be has just enlisted.
Now, does man show good common sense
W hen he Joins party which he expects to
spend most OF his time opposingi On most of
the great questions Of the day-temperance
being one of the chief OF them-the demo-
cratic party Ia as hopelessly wrong as Il was
on the slavery question, and IL can no more
change its position than 10 could with regard
TO slavery. Even many who do not agree
with republicans In believing that the free
trade tendency of the party is It's most dan.
geTous characteristic, are compelled 10 admit
that upon the moral issues IL Is utterly
wrong headed, Then why have anything to
do with ~ To Jump on a train for the sake
OF jumping off sgaln Is a very slow way OF
retchng ones destination.
MANY persons of this class seem 10 think
that some mysterious virtue resides In Mr..
Cleveland, which secures the country against
the perlis OF complete democratic sscendancv
The record Of his admins ration shows tina {
this confidence is one OF those delusion $
which are not uncommon In politics. Many
voters who supported him four years ago have
found II out. But in any event the new voter
should remember that the power behind the
president IL that OF the democratic party with
! its old character still unchanged Mr. Ceve-
| land cannot possibly remain In power more
| than four years longer; and when he Is gone
| the party must fall back again upon the cid
set OF leaders whom the American peoI IL
| distrust.
The notion that this hoary- headed old sin
ner. the democratic party, has at last been
| converted, and viii now do works OK for re-
pentasce, Is no new thing. When the demo.
| Gratis OF the south agreed 90 support Mr..
Greeley, on platform Of universal amnesty
and reconcilis tlon. manv OF US were glad tC
believe them sinsere, and joyfully hailed the
dawn OF a better day. Yet the shocking
atrocities by which the negro vote in the
| south has been suppressed we're committed
many Years afterward while the most shame
| less frauds known In the history Of republi
can institutions continue To this day, and sr,
| relied upon to re elect Mr. Cleveland. WheT
4 NJ TIIden was Nominated there WINS a ri "a
especially among the Young voters, who I've
| lieved that the democratic party was abou
10 become great instrument OF admlnistra
| tive reform. IL was Oalv few months befor
they were overwhelmed with confusion an,
| shame by the d sclosure OF The cipher dis
pstches--tbe vilest 10 itical conspiracy In on
! history. Those who indulge in s IN lar dream
| shout the democratic party OF to-day have
like rude awakening iefore them IL draw
TO itscif, by n natural attraction, the wors