The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-04-28
A suicidal Epidemic.

ways to be, triumphant in national
elections. Before elections, in its
own estimation, it is invincible; after
elections, is invisible, though, alas !!
not inaudible. Its clatter of boast.
ing goes on forever.
The inevitable Taubeneck feels
called upon again to approach the
footlights and announce the coming
triumphs Of the Populist party. 1t
is curious to note, in connection with
this forecast of coming victory, the
strenuous efforts of the Populists to
commit political suicide. Wherever
they have gotten foothold, they
have stirred up strife, and have de-
veloped the most tyrannical and reck
less disposition. Lewelling, in Kan
cas-, tried to dispense the Legislature
with troops and was checked only
by the refusal of his officers to obey
his orders. Waite, in Colorado, or
dered out the militia to resist the
order of court, and asked the aiG
of the United States army to storm
the City Hall. He was only pre-
vented from inaugurating civil war
by the refusal of Federal officer to
back him up.
In South Carolina the Populists
captured the Democratic organiza-
tion and elected a Governor, who,
though calling himself Democrat,
is Populist in all but the name.
He has developed the came traits
that have distinguished Populist Of
fieials in other States Unbending
selfwill, contempt Of constitutional
Limitations, disposition to resort to
violence on the slightest provocation
unstinted denunciation of courts
that refuse to register his DEGREES
and citizens that question his infal
libility, have driven whole counties
into insurrection and imposed on
the good citizens of the State the
hard necessity of choosing between
the clements that resist the execu-
tion of the laws and a Governor
whose temper is as lawless as that of
those who resist his authority. The
troubles in the State illustrate the
folly of putting up would be auto
crat to enforce the laws of repub-
lie
While the Populists in authority
are thus causing rows within their
territory the Populists out of office
are contributing all they can to the
cause of anarchy by organizing ar
mics Of tramps and marching on
Washington to intimidate Congress
into enacting some of their widest
schemes of socialism into laws. To
these men the fact that Populist
ideas were condemned at the last
congressional election counts for
nothing. They imagine that if they
can get o few Thousand men in
Washington to petition in forma
pauperis for Government tbounty, the
wishes of the other seventy millions
of people will go for nothing.
The suicidal mania is not confined
to the Populists. 1t affected the Re-
publicans four years ago when they
devised the Mckinley Bill, the Sher-
man law and the Force Bill. Their
defeat in 1890 counted for nothing,
and in 1892 they came up smiling,
insisting that the people did not
know what they were about before,
and reasserting their old claims to
be the friends ofAmercan labor and
the only people fit to govern the
country. They were beaten again,
but have learned nothing. Hav-
ing precipitated panic of the worst
kind, they admitted that the Sher-
man act caused the trouble, but as
soon as its repeal was effected
straightway denied what they had
; before asserted, and are now relying
on plain mendseity for future sue
cess. They manifest disposition
to put up Mr. Mckinley, one of the
chief authors of the prevailing dis
tress, as their candidate for the
Presidency. The mania for self-de-
struction is evidently still strong
upon them.
| Candor compels the admission that
many Democratic Congressman are
contributing all they can to the de
struction of the party which they Sc
unworthily represent. Elected with
an express mandate to reform the
tariff on revenue lines, they have
made themselves the attorneys OF
selfish interests and have threatened
the defeat of any tariff measure that
does not meet the demands of the
cormorants whom they have trai
torously undertaken to protect. BY
unreasonable delays, by absenteeism
by inaction at a time when prompt
aud decisive action is desired by the
country. they have created wide
spread dissatisfaction and imperiled
the success of the party In the com
ing elections. So far as the action
of such men as these can control
events, the Democratic party is af
fected by the prevalent epidemic Of
suicidal mania.
The death OF the Democratic party
is not conceivable. 1t is impossible
for the party to die, because il
stands for the Constitution and til,
, rights of the masses of the people
Even if the republic should perish
and monarchy be erected on III
ruins, the Democratic party would
still form the nucleus around which
tue friends Of freedom would rally
, with indomitable valor and invinci
BILE determination. 1t can not die
because il has reason for it's exis
tence, which the other parties hav,
> not. They simply linger superfiuou'
on the stage in the hope of plumber