Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-03-28
BACK 70 FIRST PRINCIPLES.
What the Democracy Must Do to BE Re-
stored TO Power.


What the Democracy Must Do to BE Re-
stored 20 Power.
That wise remark of Herbert Spencer
that ssthe American nation must go
backward before it can go forward"
has many applications 1t is as truei
to-day of the democratic party as it II
of the nation. Since the war it has
been wandering in strange paths for
eign to the democracy. Commanded by
the people to resume its TRADITIONAL
course, 1t has houndered about, unabiei
to find and resume its traditional
course. 1t is q fashion among the
orthodox to lift up Jackson as the ideal
democrat, and it is treason in the
minds of many to even hint that any
but Old Hickory, save possibly Jefrer-
son. is the ideal of democracy.
II being democrat consists in hav-
ing clear view of democratic princi-
pies and policies and adhering to them
with answering frmness, then an i'm
partial Judgment will award to the
much-maligned Martin Van Buren, 3
higher station in the ranks of democ-
racy than even Jackson's. In none or
the state papers of Jackson will one
find 50 clear-cut, exact and accurate a.
definition OF the federal government,
in the message of Van Buren, to the ex-
ira session of congress called by him to
devise means to carry the treasury
over the panic Of 81, which broke upon
him before he was fairly warm in the
presidential chair.
He reminded those who look to the
government for relief from the embar-
rassment caused by the panic that they
lost sight of the purpose for which
governments are created. Said he: cit
was established to give security to US
all in our lawful and honorable pu--
suits under the lasting safeguard of re-
publican institutions. It was not in
tended to confer especial favors upon
individuals, or on any classes of them to
create systems of agriculture, manu-
facture or trade, or to engage in them,
either separately or in connection with
individuals or corporations.
All communities are apt to look to gov
ernments fog too much. We are prone
to do so especially at periods of sudden
embarrassments and distress. =
The less government interferes with
private pursuits the better for the gen
eral prosperity. 1t is not its object to
make men rich, or to repair, by direct
grants of money or legislation in favor
of particular pursuits, losses not in
Cured in the public service"
It is to this conception of government
thus clearly defined by Van Buren, that
the democratic party must go back and
begin its forward march. 1t must de-
clare this emphatically and distinctly.
If any industries in this country have
grown to be dependent upon govern
ment sustenance they must be notified
in advance that, if the party is re-
turned to power, its sustaining hand
will be totally withdrawn. There
must be no nambypambyism of conces-
sion and compromise and tenderness,
but, going back to its primal princi-
pies of government, it must write them
plainly on its standard and go again to
the people declaring them, advocating
them, and, when again restored to
power-as it always has been and al
ways will be when it is truly depno-
cratic-see that no traitor hand tears
down the banner, and no traitor coun-
sci is received at the board. This Is
the path to victory, and a sure one.
even if it be temporarily severe and
rugged one.-St. Paul Globe.