The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-03-30
TU QUOQUE.


President Cleveland complains bit
terly that the democrats of Oregon
are divided; that they cannot agree in
support of candidates for Office; that
they cannot unite in approval of prin-
clples. This is true enough, but how
much better off are the democrats Of
Mr.. Cleveland's own state; how much
better off are the democrats of the ma
ton; how much more united are the
democrats of congress in support of
candidates and principles2 The party
is not more torn and divided in Oregon
than In New York and Washington.
The net result of "a year of demo-
cratic administration is party so dis
tracted with division and internal coll
f1ict that it cannot legislate, cannot
administer the finances, cannot con-
duct foreign affairs with dignity and
vigor.. cannot even perform the first
function Of democratic administra-
tion by filling the Offices with it's parti-
sans. This is not Mr.. Cleveland's
fault, thougl, his peremptory nature
probably has worsened the situation.
But it is due mainly to the heterogen-
eous character of the democratic
party; to the wide division of purpose
and aims in its members; to the rooted
incapacity of the majority of the party
for clear conception and prudent con-
duct of public affairs, and to the frank
and contemptuous intolerance with
which the enlightened minority regarc
the voting mob after it has served its
| purpose on election day. This con-
tempt and intolerance on the par: OF tht
wiser leaders inspires rage and resent
ment in the ignorant and reckless ma
jouty, which blocks legislation and par
alyzes administration.
From the time the president me
congress, there has been such division
and conflict within. the party rs rareI,
is seen between opposing parties
There was IA struggle Of two month
in the extra session, over repeal of thu
silver purchase act, ended only by th'
patriotic support Of the presidents pol
ICY by the republicans The entire
regular session so far has been takel
up with party conflict over the tariff, al
most entirely confined to committe'
and caucus meetings Of democrat
alone. Democratic divisions hav
transformed the Wilson bill so that it
! author cannot recognize it, and nearl,
destroyed hope of passing it in any form
The party has gone to pieces wher.
ever it has touched foreign affai,s ant
worse division awaits it in the future
The Hawaiin policy of the presiden
brought a condemnatory report from
the senate committee and fatal interna
conflict was avoided only by droppin
the whole subject. The new treat
with China which Gresham is negoti
ating will breed bitterer opposition o.
the Pacific coast than even the ptesi
dents attitude toward the Geary law
which it is intended to annul.
The party cannot even agree upol
filling the Offices. The scandalou
conflict over appointments to su
preme court vacancy has been repeate
with less publicity every time there wa
an office to fill. These conflicts refec
the rooted distrust and detestatio
with which factions of the Democrat
party regard each other. They ar
united only to obtain power. The
never can agree upon the use to max
of it. It does not become the presi
dent or any democrat to complain c
the petty divisions in Oregon.-Ore
gonian.