The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
PROSPECTS ARE BRIGHT.
Why the Spirit OF democracy Will Garry
the Country in 1892. 3

tno -COuutry IN loSNs
The Democratic party has developed
enormous strength since its temporary
repulse at the polls in 1883, when it won |
a grand popular victory, but was cheated |
out of it by the abhorrent forces of Doodle
and intimidation. The people who gave
the party popular majority of 100000
on that occasion are more convinced
than year ago that the administration
of their affairs can be entrusted with
safety only to clean hands, such as
characterized the last Democratic Presi-
dent. AS the fruits of the seeds of cor
ruption, sown year ago by the Repub-
licans, begin to appear and to poison
every department. of government, the
regret of the people for the honest,
straightforward course pursued by the
last administration becomes more pro-
found and lasting. The honors paid to
the ex-President on every public occa.
sion where he has been the most promi-
nent parsonage, the broad, vigorous
manner in which he has handled the
most vital public questions, the undi-
minished, nay, vastly increased, respect
in which he is held by his party, the
modest and retiring manner in which he
fills the position of the most distin-
guished private, citizen of che republic,
and the complete yindication of the in
compatibility Of his administration all
show that in him breathes the spirit Of
true Democracy.
Mr.. Cleveland is justly regarded as
the leading advocate Of reform in the
highest and truest sense of the word.
The tributes of esteem and respect paid
him, even by political opponents, as a
/ private citizen are far more significant
and grateful than those he received
when he occupied the highest position
in the Government. They are the best
commentaries on the purity of his mo-
tives and the grandeur of his adminis-
tration. They tell the story in the most
eloquent terms of his disinterested eff
forts in the cause of reform. His pub
lie utterances in Boston, when sat at
the same table with the lamented Henry
w. Grady, showed that he was entirely
in accord with the trend of public sem
timent and was, as ever, the foremost
in the lines of reform. The Democratic
party, ever the party of reform, grows
UNNECESSARILY stronger and more popu-
lar in the light of the reactionary
policy of corruption and spoils
now in operation in Washington.
. which has already disguised the coun-
try and even brought about discussions
in the ranks of the Republican party.
1t is only by steadfast and answering
devotion to the cause of reform that the
Democracy may hope to overcome the
!; abhorrent forces that would wreck our
, institutions and set back the natural
/ development of our country. Tariff re-
} form and ballot reform should be
. earnestly pushed to practical fullilt1ent
r by the Democratic party in Congress
, and in every State. The spirit OF true
Democracy will yet put to fight those
foul elements, SO graphically described
by Grover Cleveland as ''vile, unsavory
forms which rise to the surface of our
agitated political waters, and gleefully
anticipate in the anxiety of selfish in
terest their opportunities to fatten upor
, corrupted and debauched suffrage
= With tariff reform and ballot reform az
. their watchwords, tho Democracy will
move to an assured victory.-AlbanJ
IN. ~ Argus.