The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-05-31

The democratic party of this state and
mogereity and constructive capacity.
This is true of any party new to power.
The blunders of a new administration
stand out boldly while the reforms it in.
augurates are not Immediately appreciat-
ed. Wisconsin never had better ad-
ministration than it had since the demo-
cratic party went into power in 1891.
And still the little roster scandal has OBJ
scured to a great extent the excellence of
that administration. Had the party been
in power for any considerable time, the
roster business would receive nothing
more than a passing notice. There has
not been an administration that has not
had in completeness a steal of greater
proportion than that which was contem-
plated by means of the roster contract.
Everything new is examined with
critical eye and it's defects are noted.
While this is one reason why the roster
affair has received far more attention
than it deserved, thereby casting unde-
served odium upon an otherwise excel
lent administration, the party has had
other elements of weakness. 1t has suffer
ed more from it's recognition of nationality
as the distinctive elements of its member
ty IN power can sustain itself if 1t persists
IN dealing with certain elements as dis
tinct factors. The majority of the re-
publican party is American. That ele-
ment dominates the party and it has no.
mogeneity for that reason. AS a nation
al party it Is always united on national
measures. This is partly due to the dis
cipline of continued power, but in great
er measure to the fact that party fealty
is made to dominate distinctions of ma
tonality. 1t was generally known, but
not until the election OF 1890 was the
fact dwelt upon, that the Lutherans of
this state constituted an important eIe-
ment of the republican party. There are
a greater number Of Norwegian republl-
cans than there are of democratic IRISH
| IN Wisconsin, but their individuality as a
nation is lost in the party organization.
There are no Earring elements in the re-
publican party-that is there were none.
1t is now Introducing disintegrating
element.
There are Germans, Irish, Polish, Be-
hemlans and Yankees" in the democrat.
&c party. 1t is federation AMI discord-
ant one when IN power. The party does
not seek the allegiance of the individual
but as it comes through the agency of
cohesive nationality. There was no at
tempt made to secure the Lutheran vote
10 1890 as individuals, but as a church or
ganization. Catholics are democrats as
rule, but the mistake is made in seek
ing their support as Catholics and not as
democrats.
This condition makes it impossible for
the democratic party to retain power for
any considerable time. 1t is almost ia
tai weakness. When there is dist.ibu-
recognized, 1t is German, an I,ishman.
Catholic or Bohemian Each nation
slity or religious sect watches the other
with jealous eye and often refers to it
with ucgracious comment.
The democratic party is the party of
the people. The corner stone of its be-
lief Is equal justice to all. 1t exists to
strike down favoritism, class distinction
and national prejudice. Unfortunately.
like all organizations, 1t may be temper
arlly swerved from its purpose by design
ing politicians intent only upon their
own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, The people should
always suspect the sincerity of those who
seek immediate reward for party service.