Middletown transcript., 1894-06-16
TIRED OF ELECTIONS.

from the New York Sun (Stralgn'
Democrat) on an numerous Editoria
in the Courier Journal (also straigh,
Democracy.
Our esteemed contemporary, the
Courier Journal, whose political eye ii
always as humorous as it is bright and
searching, invites its soul to the retire
ment of outside observation OF the
troubles now besetting the Democratic
party:
"They do say they have been having
a few more elections scattered round
though the country, and the grins on
the faces Of the Republicans grow
wider and wider and their lips smack
more loudly in anticipation Of the
return of the years of the fatted kline.
''Let up on elections.
''Boycott elections.
'Abolish elections.
"Blot elections out Of the Constitu-
tion and swipe the word oat Of the
dictionary.
"Some people never know when to
stop. Nothing is more disgusting than
carrying things too far-carrying elec-
tions especially.
"There are thousands and thousands
of folks in this country who are just
plumb tired out at the mere thought
of an election.
"Say, what's the good of elections,
anyway" They amt SO ALFRED funny
as some ijiots seem to think"
We can understand the self-satisfac-
tion with which the gallant editor Of
the Courier-Jounrnal repairs to green
pasture slopes which make Kentucky
our national garden spot, and, lying
down with the stock beneath the out
spreading trees, ruminates upon the
folly of politicians and the trials of
their critics but this sudden outburst
of pent-up impatience against the chat
ing harness Of ceaseless politics is not
so funny as it might be under normal
circumstances. We are on the eve of
seeing accomplished, if not in name,
in fact the very freedom elections
which Col. Watterson in his humor
pires for. The elec ion of 1892 is on
the way to complete, definite, une-
quivocal, and conclusive effacement
which will leave all similar proceed
ings without validity and without
force.
Two years ago the Democratic party,
the institution descended directly from
Thomas Jefferson, and, if varying from
his principles in any respect, only upon
such specific points as were stated
in their platform, was elected to con-
troll the United States. At the same
election there were besides the Repub-
licans two others in the field, the Pop
ulist party and the social Labor party
two spontaneous and momentary out
growths of the unnatural and socialis-
tic un-Americanism brought to us
from many sources, both irreconcilable
with the principals of Democracy, and
proposing contrary to all precedent, a
new principle of Federal revenue.
They sought to impose tax on incomes
If there was anything needed TO con-
firm the pledge given by the Conven-
tion at Chicago, or to prove that it
spoke for the Democracy and that
those who trusted the party acting un-
der its declarations might rely with
sleeping certainly on its known rules
and habits of government being pre-
served, and their own rights inuring
hereunder being respected, it was the
fact that these two socialiastic organ
CARNATIONS offered by contrast the anti
Democratic principle, The Presiden-
tial election that followed gave pop
ular verdict for the Democratic party
as againt the Socialist parties by an
electoral majority of IL to l. And yet
to-day whatever Democratic there is
in the tariff bill lies buried beneath
the POpulist income tax.
If this revolution in the American
system, this cheat of the electroate
This trap for Americans who confded
in the Democracy not only with reren-
ity but with pride, can be thus sprung
upon the country contrary to the last
popular verdict. then Col. Watterson
need not keep up his sighs for relief
from election, but, like the honest and
nnfoolable American he is, he can see
and give thanks, or curses, as he
''leases. that he has been relieved from
The straining seriousness Of elections
and that they have become a great
farce.
The trap has not been sprung yet. The
lime yet remains for the Democray to
smash the trap and sweep away its last
splinter before any political harm is
lone and its own name tarnished with
IN act of everlasting disgrace. Take
he income tax out of our politicsl