The herald., 1893-11-24
THE ROAD TO DEMocRArIc VICTORY.

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There is no question about the fact
that period has been reached in the
Democratic party in which the best
counsels OF its most trusted leaders
should be called into play. The appoint
ment of Judge Gresham as secretary OF
state was great mistake. Hundreds OF
thousands OF Democrats thought that a
great ational party had come to pretty
pass when a Democratic president was
obliged to go out of his own party. which
had been 80 spontaneously loyal to him,
to appoint mugwump to this Office.
The unfortunate feature OF the special
session that which made it turn
upon the single issue of silver, to the
ignoring of the tariff-was another mis-
take, Perhaps the most unfortunate OF
all these mistakes-we do not refer to
the suspension of the execution of the
laws in the Chinese matter, because the
feeling on that head may be said to be
largely ieferable to the Pacific
coast-was the lamentable Hawaiian
embroglio. The people of the United
States are infexible in their opin-
ions-and the opposition to Gres-
hams policy is certainly nineteen to
one if not larger proportion-that no
circumstances could possibly arise which
would justify the government of this
country in propping up throne-or
rather reconstructing a throne-in any
ON for af ho oil
incident had occurred prior to the late
elections they would undoubtedly have
been still more overwhelmingly in favor
of the Republican party. If special
session of congress had been called in
March to revise the tariff, the elections,
instead of being overwhelmingly Repub.
lican, would have been Democratic,
business would have adjusted itself to
the new conditions and the country
would now have been prosperous.
Admitting that mistakes have been
made, what is the recourse? In the
general judgment it would be found in
a reorganization OF Mr.. Cleveland's cab.
met, and in the retirement of Secretary
Gresham and Attorney-General Olney,
and the replacing of these gentlemen,
one of whom is not Democrat and the
other of whom is not democratic in sen-
timent, and the replacing OF both OF
these pseudo statesmen by Democrats
of approved standing. This once ef-
fected, the wise and conservative action
of congress Democratic in both
branches may be confidently relied on
to do the rest.
The Democratic party has a peculiar
history, and it is 30 unique that the
lesson may we'll be deduced from it's
career that it is indestructible. 1t is a
party OF measures, not men. Its basic
principle is an entire devotion to the
rights OF the masses. The New York
World. the most unselfish and ardent
supporter of Mr.. Cleveland before and
after his election in 1892, has month in
and month out proclaimed the fact that
Attorney-General Olney is the slave OF
the trusts. Its language has been
sweeping and incisive. No man of
whom that can be justly said, in whole
or in part, should be permitted to hold
a portfolio in Democratic cabinet.
1t is painful to take the back track,
but when it is the part of wisdom it
should be done at once. Mr.. Cleveland
ia personally held by the masses to be |
patriotic in intention. All he needs to
do is to put himself in line with the plain
ly indicated purposes of the people. 1t
may be hard to admit that one has been
wrong in aome things, but a frank con-
fesaion is good for the soul, and in a
president it would be a gracions and
action.
Whether Mr.. Cleveland shall avail |
of this opportunity to retrieve
the fortunes Of the party or no, a great
obligation rests on the Democratic sen.
ate and house of representatives. When
congress- reassembles the tariff will nat
uraliy have precedence, and it's marked
injustices should be remedied at once.
Business should be placed on O secure
footing, and without the loss of day
the American manufacturer should |
know exactly where he stands. The |
silver question will again come to the |
front, and there is no question but that
this issue will not down until some sat-
lsfactory settlement has been reached. |
10 the great disgust of Demo-
Gratis and Americans generally, the
question will be forced to the |
front, and it is the most disagreeable
question in American diplomatic annals.
But whatever betides, the Democratic
party must take staunch Democratic
attitude on all the leading issues of the
lay. Thus only may We hope to reverse
the verdict OF the last elections. To
meet the issue and not to try to evade
it is the wisdom of the hour.