St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-22
THEY CAN'T COMPREHEND 1T.

THEY CAN'T COMPREHEND 1T.
Probably nothing has so surprised
and is SO ineomprehensible to our Re-
publican brothers rs this rank freedom
of discussion with which the Democratic
press comment Oh the administration of
their party and on the actions of its
congressional representatives. 1t is
something new to them; something I'M
related to anything in their own expert
ence, except the few instances Of out
right rebellion which ended in party
deSertion.
1t is a favorite. amusement of the
grave senators on the Republican side
to read the clippings of editorial dissent
or criticism culled by their faithful
secretaries frcm the Democratic papers,
and incorporate them in their remarks
to be printed in the Record. and thus
be insured safe journey down the
ages to remote poSterities, AS evidences
OF disiutegrating condition of our
party. We are told by them that the
party was only an organized APP petite;
that its cohesive force was that of plum
der; and now. having the plumber. it is
falling apart of its own weight. Others
mOraliZe on it, and draw the favorite
deduction that the Democratic party. by
reason OF its Inherent cuSSednesS. is
unfit for the guidance of affairs, and
point with solemn finger to these
frankly spoken opinions as proof.
And then their papers take their cue
and elaborate on it. They comment on
Democratic harmony, and put the word
harmony in satiricai quotation marks.
They embellish their columns with eX-
tracts from speeches and editorials,
thus unwittingly aiding in the spread
of information. They even go so far as
to pat the dissidents on the back, after
the fashion of partisan papers during
campaigns, which approve of 1.-THE bold
and upright man" who can't stand his
party corruption any longer. or to the
''brave and ringing speech" with which
some one announces that he has for
sworn his former party and Joined
theirs. Tney all agree, however, that
these things indicate an unorganiZed,
undiscipiined, demoralized condition of
the Democratic party, which renders it
incapable of conducting the affairs of
government.
As we have said. this is an incompre-
hensible matter to them. and they can
only account for it by their own expert
enceS. Well disciplined and docile
themselves, they exact meek submission
in others. Accustomed to follow, they
cannot understand Independent action,
and think it is Struggling. Used to
waiting until the leaders sound the key
note. and combining themselves. to re-
sounding it without variations, they
look on independent thought and COM
ment with Amusement. Drilled to ap-
plaud their own and to denounce their
opponents equally without sense or rea-
son, they can see in Democratic criticism
of Democrats nothing but indications of
revolt and disruption.
If they could look below the surface
they would fud that their own docility,
as we'll as the refractorineSS OF Demo-
Gratis, is inherent in the fundamental diff
ferences of the two parties. Obedience
is the constant mandate of paternalsm.
Freedom OF opinion, Independence of
action. is the vital principle of individu-
alism. Children, obey your rulers, is
the unqualified decree of the one; obey
them if they are right, is the qualfica-
ton added by the other. The right OF
examination, of criticism. of dissent. is
inseparable from true Democracy, as il
is Incompatible with collectivlsm. whetll-
er It's doctrines appear in the principles
and practice of Republicanism, Popu-
lism, Socialism, or any of the many al
lied forms it takes on in the political
activities Of men. -