Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-06-23
Democracy and the People.

Whatever the result OF of year
elections like the recent one in Ore
gon may be, the country is Democrat
ic, says the New York World
1t believes in the simple, rational
and just principles for which Democ-
racy stands, and it desires the enact
ment into law OF those policies for
which Democracy contends.
The country wants the tariff re-
formed in the direction of lower du-
ties. II wants the taxes levied for the
support Of the government and not
for the enrichments Of the trusts II
wants an equal chance for all men. II
is hostile to all forms OF class legisla.
ton and monopoly.
These things are the essence Of De
mocvacy The Republican party
stands for their exact opposites, and
the people perfectly understand the
fact
1t is true that the present Congress
and Administration have done far less
for the accomplishment Of these ends
than the country expected II is Ger
tain that popular resentment Of this
failure has been a factor 10 recent
elections, as has also been general
dissatisfaction with "hard times.
But the people are Gear sighted
and intelligent They understand
that Democracy cannot properly be
held accountable Tor the imperfcctions
or even the treachcry Of some 81 is
trusted agents. They know that for
present hard times the blame proper
I ly rests upon the unwise and unpa.
triotic Republican legislation which
brought this condition OF things
They know that all that has beer
done or attempted for the relief 81
the country is the work Of Democra
cy. II they think the results TOO
small, they see clearly that they hav,
been made so only by betrayal Of tn,
Democratic purpose in the uppe
house of Congress, whore the major
" is so narrow that the surrender o
even few men to the trusts render
il impossible 10 enact such reforms a
the Democratic party in the popula
house seeks, or such as must surel
come as q result of prolonged Demo
cratic ascendaney.
In of-year elections the people nal
urally give vent to their disconten
with the meagerness Of results attain
ed in the form Of adverse votes. Blu
their rebuke is directly against th
failure to do more, and not agains
the desire to do all that is possible.
To suppose that because Demo
cratic Congress has accomplished les
Of reform than it desired the peopl
who want reform will elect a Reput
lican Congress, opposed to the reform
in toto, is to accuse the people Of in
sensate folly. II is to suppose tia
because they have not succeeded a
once in overthrowing the trusts the,
are going TO accept the trusts as thei
absolute and permanent masters. |
is to suppose that because the force
of plutocracy have bafIled the popu
lar will for a time by purchase anc
corruption the people are going t,
make the forces Of plutocracy perma
nently dominant IN the country b,
voting their agents back into power.
The Democratic party is the part
Of the people. However imperfect ~
instrument it may now and then be
it is absolutely the only instrument o
reform there is In its triumph il
It's lasting control of affairs alone i
there hope Of accomplishment OF thai
release Of the people from iniustic,
and oppression for which 50 oyerwhel
ming q majority voted ~ 1892 tn,
vitality Of Democracy lies rot IN lend
ership, and not in organization but il
ITS steadfast adherence to the cans,
Of the people in opposition 10 II,
schemes Of conspirators against IL,
popular welfare.