Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-17
WHO ARE RESPONSIBILITY

4NO 1GlClllSCHt BOAoOh OOAAOsSS S-ee~e
the hard times. the paralysis of busi-
ness industries, the depletion of the
treasury, the panic, all of which have
occurred during the last year, are
chargeaBle to the democratic party.
Yet it is fact that the party in power
when such calamities occur must al
ways bear the blame. They are the
elimination of causes which have been
in operation for years. They are the
fruits of careless, not to say vicious,
legislation and maladministration of
public affairs extending through a
number of years. The elections of
1880 and 1882 were a popular condem-
nation of the policies and practices of
tbs dominant party. A political revo-
luton came. but not soon enough to
avert the consequences of wrong
doing. 1t is not only unkind, but ex-
ceedingly wicked to attempt to hold
the democratic party responsible for
the sufferings endured during the past
year. The sun of the nations pros
perity was obscured by dark clouds,
and the approach of desolating
storm was be caIded by the muttering
thunders Of an outraged people before
the last presidential election.
While the democracy il in no way
responsible for the enforced idieness
of wage earners, the paralysis of busi-
ness, the looting of the treasury, they
will incurr the deserved displeasure of
those who have intrusted them with
power if they do not speedily fulfill
their solemn promise to inaugurate
measures of reform. There can be no
excuse, for the reason that the policy
to be carried out had been fully dis
cussed, and the people had given their
emphatic instructions. If the demo-
Gratis in congress prove false to their
professions, and disregard the instruc
tions given by their constituents they
will deserve an overwhelming defeat
when they seek reelection. They are
nog SHINING away their day of grace"
They age certain to IoQse the favor and
support of the people if they fail to leg
islate to promptly revise the tariff, and
let the country know what to expect,
The reaction against the democratic
party is being intensified by its do
nothing policy. 1t will soon be too late
to recover the confidence of the people.
1t may, alas. be too soon be said of the
party, The harvest is passed, the sum-
mer is ended ard it is not saved.'
The people are not ia condition to be
trified with.
We had hoped that the democracy
would be true to themselves and to the
principles and traditions of the party,
but We confess that the prospect of
arresting the downward course of the
party we loYe is very gloomy. The
leaders are jealous of each other. In
ordinate personal ambition is leading
some to their ruin, and while they are
digging their own political graves they
are dragging down with them to dis
grace and ruin those of their own
household.
There is NO trqer axiom than that
"a house divided against itself cannot
stand"
The democrat party is now divided
into warning factions. They are more
hostile toward each other than they
are to common enemy. There is
manifest discomfort, heart burning and
jealousies in the republican party.
Chronic hatred of the democracy and
the love Of spoils are the principal ce-
ment which holds the leaders together.
The leaders of both parties are deceiv-
ing the masses of the people. The times
indicate a disintegration and refor-
nation of the political elements. Those
who predict the demise of the democrat
party greatly err In their calculations.
Il cannot die as long as there is
popular govern nent on this planet, as
there is hope of getting one.-Cin-
cinnati Inquirer.