The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-12
HON. JOHN w. DANIEL ON THE DEMO
CRATIC PARTY.

In an article sn The Times few days
ago the position was taken that the origin
of the Populists was in opposition 10
Radicalism, and that in the West the
rise OF a Third party was the first step
towards the overthrow Of sectional pre-
tudice AGAINST the South, and OF the afiili-
alton Of the people OF that region with
the Democracy of the Union. Hon. John
w. Daniel In a recent article prepared Tor
a newspaper syndicate expressed very
much the same opinion. He says that
the late election was a revolt against
the Republican party, and he thinks that.
after making all allowances for the great
popularity Of the Democratic candidates,
the sentiment of the country I'm accord
with Democratic ideas is now stronger
than any candidate. and the sentiment
against the Republican party is stronger
even than the united Democracy. This
is demonstrated by five States abandon
ing the Republicans and jumping over
the Democracv into the ranks Of third
party, with its crude creeds and lack OF
experienced leadership.
1.-The political elements are undoubtedly
IN a perturbed and formative condition.
They believe in Democracy as far as ii
touches them In fundamental principles,
and they are drifting into the Democracy
by the attraction Of gravitation to the
doctrines which appeal alike to judicious
opinion and good heart"
This is very nearly the same idea at
tempted TO be conveyed in our article.
We took the ground that the people of
the West having taken their first step
towards severing their relations with
party TO which they have hitherto been
bound only by ties of sectional hate
caused by prejudices aroused by the war.
would eventually come over into full COM
munion with the Democratic party. be-
cause they would soon find that the doc
trines and dogmas Of the Third party,
into the ranks of which they had jumped
lover the Democracy" were wild and i'm
practicable, and could never become avail
able as political power in the country.
The distinguished Senator from Virgin
Ia, however. states an exceedingly wise
condition precedent to the affliation Of
Populists with the Democracy, which is
that the Democratic party must never de-
part from its time-horOred principles and
conservatism. On as point he says: IF
Democratic practices shall speedily and
wisely conform themselves to Democratic
principles l believe they will work out
such bettermcnt of conditions as to as
sure the long ascendency of the Demo-
cratic party. Conservatism is the natural
,f Of Da1i
calism and strife. and it embodies the
instructive wisdom Of the time that pro-
duces it. But conservatism. to be effectual
when entrusted with power, cannot plead
for itself lack of diligence. boldness. de-
cision, and confident grasp of questions
that must be solved.
THE two aggressive things that Cleve-
land did when President were to assail
the high tariff and the extravagant PEN
sions. These aggressons were inspired by
the spirit of conservatism acting against
wrongful measures. His boldness has re-
stored him TO power. The Democracy
must be bold and advance its lines on
all issues. This. in my opinion, is its
true keynote and the anchor Of its safety"
These are words of sound doctrine. The
Democratic party has It's future In Its
own grasp, If II will do. as our Senator
suggests, and make haste TO tear down
the Radical structure Of Protection Of the
classes at the expense of the masses,
which is founded on the cornerstone Of
extravaganza, corruption and fraud, and
re-establish the refuge of Democratic
conservatism, which is built upon the
foundation of a government by the peo-
pie and for the people, and is hedged about
on all sides by the Federal Constitution.
Under the leadership of Grover Cleve-
land this will undoubtedly be the policy
OF the National Democracy, for the pres
ent century has produced no one more
ready or more bold and decided than he
to advance the standard of Democratic
conservatism against the forces of Radi-
cal favoriteism and recklessness. And
under such policy the Democratic party
must increase in strength and power,
and having already routed the enemy
OF constitutional Government at all points,
will proceed to entrench itself impregnably
behind the breastworks OF time honored
Democratic principles and teachings. 1t
requires no prophet nor sagacious politi-
cal seer, therefore, to predict that, at
the close of Mr.. Cleveland's administra-
ton, the party OF the people viii be so
firmly established in popular esteem as
to render hopeless all opposition.
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