Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1892-09-28

Political ideas and great fundamental
political truths are rarely one and the
same. The Democracy boasts not of
ideas. 1t intrenches itself behind a
breastwork Of fundamental truths.
These are and have been ever one and
the same, varying somewhat as times
change, and expanding more or less as
men grow and wax in education and ex-
perience. Democrats are satisfied with
the doctrines of jefferson, Of Jackson
and Tilden, and run not after new
things. If they are sufficiently moved
to go to the polls they vote straight in
off years as well as in presidential years.
The Republicans, on the other hand,
priding themselves in their progressive
ness and independence, are apt to run
after new tangled isms in off years and
then satisfy their political consciences
by voting straight at presidential cleo
tions. The east is far more homOge-
neous than is the west, and is more un-
der the influence of neighborhood opin
ion. Even in Illinois, an old state com
pared with those behind her, men are
lively short time, and are less afraid Of
the charge Of having changed an opin-
ion. Having deserted their party dur
ing an off year and thereby permitted
Democrat to get into Office, Republicans
find such Democrat to be an honest man
and that their affairs have not been
ruined.
The political monster heretofore seen
through the mists Of party prejudice now
becomes a man and q fair one. They
drop insensibly away from their party
and drop into Democratic folds, or mort
probably they stay away from the polls.
This process goes on very slowly, but
steadily, and has more lasting effect
than when men run off in masses after
favored leader Iowa fell off from the
Republican party because Of prohibi-
ton. There is a well grounded hope
that the falling away is permanent.
Wisconsin in the off year deserted the
Republican party because it proposed
to rob the parent Of the control of the
education of its child. Wisconsin Dem.
ocrats are confident they will carry the
state for the national Democracy this
year.
The same contest has been made in
Illinois, but has not as yet been decided.
1t was drawn battle. The opponents
Of paternalism laid down their arms,
but have been keeping them bright and
in good order, and this year will renew
the engagement with undiminished
courage and sturdy resolve. The Re
pubhcans are trying to dodge the issue.
Their leaders declare it is dead. The
Republican press, which two years ago
had the "little red school house stand
ing out on each page Of every issue, now
freely promise that the obnoxious fea-
lures Of the compulsory education law
shall be modified. But the large and
determined Lutheran electorate and the
huge Catholic population refuse to trust
them. They fear the too freely offered
"wooden horse" The Lutherans have
heretofore been stanch Republicans.
They do not object opaying their taxes
for the support Of public education, but
they prefer to send their children to
their own parochial schools and pay for
their tuition.
She compulsory education law de-
mands that every child Of a certain age
shall each year attend a public school
twelve weeks, but permits that GER
tifcate Of attendance for like number