The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-11-16
rTcroRY fN pIsGuIsE.


That victory often advances In the
guise Of defeat Is clearly demonstrable in
the political history Of every considerable
nation on earth.
II snocess be desired only for momen-
tary profit or pleasure without regard for
Its ultimate effect upon the body polite,
II may be set down without hesitation
that the motive behind the effort to attain
it is impure and unsafe. The impulse
that actuates the leaders in such a move
ment is mercenary, and in greater or
less degree, dangerous to the liberty OF
those whose interests 1t reaches with its
bony hand Of greed for pelf and power.
Its touch is poisonous. the effect lasting
and the results oftentimes incurably hurt
full.
From expressions already in circulation
Throughout the land there is reason to
believe that Democracy has endeared
itself to the great masses Of tine country
by suffering loss in the recent state con-
tests IN order to cleanse its party from
within. We are aware that this sacrifice
is not usual in partisan campaigns, but
the character and honor Of the national
Democratic organization were at stake
and any loss in that respect they might
have sustained in these important local
contests would have affected the condi-
tion Of the party In the greater national
contest in 1895.
Theldominant element OF the party is
uncgnpromising in its patriotic advocacy
OF god government. 1t despises partisan
autonomy. 1t execrates the spirit that
tyhckles to bossism. 1t looks with pio
found suspicion upon the growth Of any
condition that seems to menace the COM
mon interests Of the people. 1t beholds
In the power Of corruption, should it once
be permitted to permeate every admins
trative department OF government, the
utter demolition OF every institution OF
which the people OF the republic have
lons boosted so proudly. 1t sees with
vision OF nnmistskable clearness the
mad forces OF destructive revolution form
ing behind the lines Of vitiated, unsound
and depraved public service. The skies
are fecked with the clouds OF anarchy
and above the horizon menncingly rises
the storm Of disorder and dissolution.
Thus the Democratic party viewed.
with humiliation and fear, the growth OF
the political autocrat within its own
ranks. Its FIRST duty to its country and,
therefore, to itself was to depose him and
deinoiish his throne. The New York oil
garchy deserved and received the initial
attack; and the work OF publication was
quickly transferred to the battle ground
Of Ohio. Croker and Neal both fell early,
The one because OF his utter absence of
conscience in his work; the other because
Of his dearth Of genuine Democratic policy
in his. Thus went Maynardism. And
70 much for mugwumpism.
Thetask was not difficult Of accomplish
ment by the means employed.
The corruptionist, the ringorganizer,
the mercenary scoundrel who pursues
professional occupation in every cam
paign, clothed in the knocking habit Of
duty, cannot exiss with success in the
Democratic party without driving IRON il
the numerical strength necessary 10
national ascendency.
The result Of elections hsld last week
asay, in q large measure, be attributed 10
TIE active presence Of such party Ills and
policy experiments as repei the masses
and discourage rural aggressiveness
They do not indicate large increase in
tha opposing party. ss many fOolishly de-
clare. but they do present very foreibly
the fact that thousands Of Democrats lost
interest in the contest and on election
day they refused to stand up and b
COUNTED" This Is the most serious con-
sequence OF trying to conduct party affairs
~ machinery. Il win no, work. 1t can
not satisfy the people. The country will
not have it
The lesson Is a good one. Its effect
ought to be salutary. And 1t will be, if
the statesmen Of the county retain their
reason. The warning came in good time
to serve an eminent purpose in the next
national campaign.
Let Democracy remain Democratic.
Let its policy be unequivocally defined.
Let 1t subserve and promote the common
interests of the country, independent Of
selfish purpose. And give Democrats a
chance to show their strength, unhamp-
cred By isms and schims.