The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-05-20

1t seems. according to the expIana-
lions given of existing conditions by
the organs Of the party in power. that
the new Democratic administration Ia
giving the country what 1t calls "ob-
ject lessons. ait may be SO. 1t issquite
in accordance with the traditions and
history OF the party. 1t has given the
country object lessons" before In
seyeral rather notable instances. One
|of the first was under that learned and
wise Democratic statesman, Andrew
jackson, who removed the deposits
from the United States bank because
Inc took notion that the bank might
be used in opposition to the Demo-
cratic party as political machine.
He gave the country an object les
|son" in the disastrous panic OF 1887
The favorite method OF the party for
|disciplining the country whenever the
people dleagree with 1t on questions
OF principle or policy has been to give
them an object lesson" Harsh dis
lcipline and sharp lessons they have
been; but the attitude OF the party adj
lministering them, while the whole
country writhed and groaned under
them, has been always as now. This
lis what you get for not trusting US
with absolute power aud undisputad
control. You have brought 1t upon
and now we propose to
lgive you enough of it."
The last ''object lesson" on large
scale which that party gave the coun-
try before the one now being admin
listered was when 1t embroiled the
country in civil war and undertook to
break up the Union and destroy the
government because the people refus.
led to continue 1t In control and let II
make the system of slave labor ma
ltlonai. That like all the rest OF its
lessons, was On attempt to carry out
Its fundamental principle to rule OIL
ruin.
1t was an announcement to the
people In the piainest possible terms
country we will ruin It." That wst
the spirit Of the party, the virtua
declaration of Its most trusted md In
lliuential leaders all through the war
Nor need IL be said in contradic ion
that thousands OF Democrats enlisted
on the side of the Union and fought
manfully to the end TO prevent Lht
ruin which the leaders sought In order
Ito enforce the object lesson" OF thai
period. True. they did; all honor tt
them. But they had to leave theil
party to do 1t; or II they stayed witt
lit, they did so from force OF habit ant
ASSOCIATION, with doubts and misgiv
lings. and at the forfeiture OF influence
aud loss of the confidence of the lead
'iers. Or the spirit and purpose OF tn;
PAL ty as an organization there wal
never any doubt. Its entire energie,
were directed to giving the "objec
llesson."
So now, public confidence having
been shaken by the sudden awakening
last November to the fact that tn,
country was In the absolute control o.
ia party which when 1t went out d
power thirty-two years ago left thu
credit of the nation at n discount o
ten per cent. and which has in all tn,
wears since then advocated every
reckless and unsound measure tina
gained hearing anywhere; and tina
confidence having received an add
, itional shock which has brought disas
j ter by the discovery that the admins
; mad that 1t was without a back to en-
force it-now that these things have
happened, the Democratic organs lool
complacently on tho distress aroun6
them and say: ''fhis Is an object les
son." Object lesson in what. pray
In the operation OF the Silver Pur
chase law?
Well, suppose the Republicans ar,
, responsible for that law-which we BY
no m6hjb uuult-Why ulti uOb LII
Democratic majority In the last Con
lgress take some step toward its re
peal. as the party promised would b.
done in the Chicago platform? Tha
would have gone long way towart
> restoring confidence and preventing
, tho disasters of the last three weeks
iOr II the party has the most remot
Intention of fulfilling its promise. VIII.
does not the President call the new
Congress together to take action Ii
the matter?
Is II SO much better to give the coun
TRY an. object lesson"t thar to do come
thing to restore confidence and aver
disaster? What sort OF statesnanshi
lis ii, what sort OF business sense is il
to stand still and do nothing In tn
a midst of crumbllng credit and tinar
n cial distress simply to give the peopl
d IAN object lesson" in the mistakes O
. an opposing party? Why do no
, democrats give an ''object lesson Il
demonstration OF their own fitness
and capacity for the functions COLE
United 10 them? Or 10 1t true tina
they have neither fitness nor eapacit
: and 10 reason for being except tn
/ mistakes Of their opponents. whic
Iihey have neither the disposition no
! THE ability to correctg