Huntsville gazette., 1893-12-09
A GREAT LESSON.
Incapable Democrats Destroy the Conn.,
dence of the People.


dence of the People.
If the democrats do not wish the
crushing defeats they have suffered at
the late elections to be only the begin
ming of series of similar defeats. they
must, above all things, look the truth
as to the causes Of the disaster straight
in the face 1t will do them no good
to accept the explanation of the bosses,
who. in order to call away popular at
tention from their own misdoings, pre-
tend that the great overthrow was
wholly owing to the .'bad times" for
which the ruling party was always, no
matter how unreasonably, held respon-
sible. If there had been only change
of some thousand votes from the dem
ocratic to the republican side, the busj-
ness troubles disturbing the popular
mind might be held accountable for it
But great political upheavals are not
explained in such way. especially
when they occur in "off years"
when ordinarily the interest in politics
is but languid.
The truth is that the democratic party
has in conspicuous manner failed
to justify the confidence of many good
citizens who last year, at the preslden-
tial election, gave it their support
The business disturbance would not
have produced such sweeping political
effects had the party in power-that is
the majority Of the democrats in con-
gress-shown themselves capable of
dealing with the most pressing prob
~~f4
ously and promptly as the crisis de-
manded. 1t is true the final repeal OF
the Sherman act satisfied the immedi-
ate requirement of the day. But this
result is generally believed to be due
to the unwavering frmness of the
president, and not to the wisdom of
the democratic majority. 1t produced
much more the impression Of a
lucky escape than Of an act
according to a we'll settled pol
icy. The public mind has conceived
serious misgiving as to what the
democratic majority would do when
unrestrained by a very vigorous execu-
tive leadership. And here word to
our southern friends is in order. Their
senators and representatives in con-
gress who, either from natural mud
dle-headedness or from cowardly dread
of the populist movement in their
states, abet those financial heresies
which have become SO dangerous to
our honor and prosperity as nation,
are in fair way again to ruin the
democratic party in the confidence of
the northern people, and thereby in the
whole country, as thoroughly as it was
ruined during the civil war and for
many years afterwards In the demo-
cratic defeats this autumn they should
recognize the beginning Of revival of
that fatal distrust which, when fully
developed, will utterly destroy fol- an
indefinite time the prospects of any
party against which it is aroused.
If the democratic party wishes to re-
main a strong factor in American poll
tics, it will have to disarm that distrust
by wise treatment of the financial
problems still to be solved, and by the
fulfillment of the promises with regard
to the tariff policy which found SO
much favor with the people in the ma
tional elections of 1890 and 1892. 1t
can no longer stake its fortunes upon
the esteem in which Mr.. Cleveland is
held. for he will not remain it's leader
much longer; and besides, the prestige
of his name, too, has been impaired by
his deplorable action in the Van Allen
case, and by the spoils politics which
his administration has been carrying
on. These things have played sub
ordinate, although by no means unim-
portant, part in the recent election,
but they will show their full effect
when public attention is no longer di-
verted from them by questions of i'm
mediate urgency.-Harper's Weekly.
ClJRRENT COMMENT