New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-15
"DEUOCR4TTC PRINCIPLES"


1t Is remarkable circumstance that no Demo-
crat ever opens his mouth. or takes his pen in
hand or his typewriter on his lap, as General
Horace Porter would say, without diiating upon
1.-THE principles" OF the Democratic party. They
all do IT, from the late Isaiah Rynders down 10
Grover Cleveland. BY the law of their political
existence they seem TO be unable to refrain from
doing It, If experience had not proved that
there Is no exception to the rule we should nave
expected the Hon. Henry Watterson TO be
minority Of one He isn't. lie goes with all the
rest II is a wellknown fact that though he loves
the Democratic party Colonel Watterson despiscs
pretty nearly everybody who belongs To IL
which is one Of his strongest titles to public con
fidcnce and admiration. But on this question
of Democratic principles nothing can tempt
him into opposition. Contrary to all reasonable
probabilities he adhcres To the mass lie mas
Just talked with n Chicago reporter for publica
ton on the subject Of Kentucky ana free silver
coinage Hear him: THE mission OF the Demo
cratic party is gone when It's representatives
least aside its principles II anybody could
impart originality and significance To such u
declaration it would be Colonel Wattcrson we
doubt if he is capable of ejecting any other
uttcrance than this without commanding attch
ton and respect. But at this one point ne SILKS
TO the stagnant level of reiteration.
1t is a remarkable circumstance also that while
Democrats are forever repeating the phrase
democratic principles they never venture on
a definition Of their meaning 1t might be sup
posed that now and then a statesman, an orator
M , newspaper would have nerve enough 10
make the attempt. 1t would not amount to any
thing except rs an exhibition Of auiacly, hut
even that would be refreshing and comparative
" respectable. The Democratic party formerly
had a principle by which 1t was completely
dominated. That was the preservation Of slav-
cry at all hazards. But circumstances over
which II had no control cxtingulshcd that prin
cple and left II, as Mr.. Curtis felicilousiy sad
nothing but an organized appetite II has no
prlnclplcs now. only a creed IT one article. II
believes In getting there by the employin mem
Of MI concelvabl, agencies and devices dis
reputable ones on the Who'll" preferred. It's re-
sources include a Presidential platform which
SAWS one thing and II Presidential candidate
who snys another. and State platforms which
contradict each other fatty IN every plank ana
agree only In appealing In the name of 'l''ino
cratic principles" to The opponents OF every pas
sion aud dclison for votes II relies Win chcrr
ful dcpra,ity upon the ecrrymnnder, ana II NJ
WAYS surprised and sorrowful when that deceit
ful instrument proves TO he II boomerang. u
has long looked with hope 10 deliberate ana cx-
pert swindllng at the polls In Southern states
and Northern cities has won It's only National
victories since the War by means Of tina, oiions
crime. and IL terrified ~ the prospect ~ losing
It's fraudulent advantage II II now engaged III
testing public opinion in order to ascertain how
dishonest dollar the American people VIII con
sent 10 accent as n standard ~ value. The Dem
ocratic party has adopted some reputable pol
icIes. but without I, single exception they ar"
policies which the Republican party has cham
pioned and vindicated beyond the possibility Of
uopular reversal Not one Of them Is Il Demo
cratic principle Nor il there one which the
Democratic party would not abandon with rap'-
IRE. If It's betrayal promised a net gain in votes.
SO much for the 'princlples" OF the Demo
cratic party 1t Is entirely In accordance with
the fitness Of things that Mr.. Cleveland. who
Eliminates, but never thinks further than 10
think that he thinks. should talk about ''Deino-
cratic principles and that the great majority Of
his party should be equally voluble and vacuous.
But 1t is pity that Colonel Watterson, who has
a mind and conscience and who likes to hitch
his wagon 10 star" should condcscend to fool
himself with the fancy that others are fooled b.
his Inscription Of principles TO the Democratic
party.