The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-17
SEATTLE, SUNDAY. NOV. II.
VITAL, PRINCIPLES.


senstor Mitchell. OF Wisconsin. thinks
the Democratic party Is suffering from haFd
times. But he says that the party has
seen even darker days than these. and VIII
yet triumph, for there il a vital principle
In the doctrines Of Democracy which Is
destined 10 make Il great. II is crafty
Ing to know that this vital principle Is stlli
In existence. II has been - little in evil
denee during the last fifty years that
new conner might well ask whether Il Is
animal. mineral or vegetable. Now and
then Il IL alluded TO IL sort OF an IN
definite. reminiscent. way. but just what Is
meant by the alIaslon l. something that
can be answered only b. the Democratic
,rchaeoIogis,, who spends his time In an
Ssher world among rnusty theories on gov
ernlng witnoBt government and making 4
great nation out Of smaI ideas.
Ii is very common 70 attempt to bring
down the house by a reference to the
eternal principles Of jefferson and Jackson,
but these evauescent things are hard 10
run down. and no great comfort was ever
cerlved from their ever being put into
practice. jefferson ground out good many
plautudes which sound al. right 10 man
soaring at hazy attitudes. as ne general
~ vas. but they were impraciicaole. and
when tested he was the FIRST to go back
en them. lie mad al Idea that the least
governed people were the best governed,
bat he Was willing 20 put the theory into
use only By doing ali the governing
himself and allowing the people to stand
around and look on. lie was constantly
shverlng and shaking through fear or GEN.
tral!zation and executive Independence.
and yet his Louisiana purchase was prob
ably the most high-handed piece OF usurpa-
too I'm our history. Nobody denies IL was
q splendid achievement. something for
which Jefferson's name win always be held
In grateful remembrance. but It's accom-
plishmen. was one Of the rudest shocks
the vital principle or Democracy has suf-
fered since the formation OF the govern
ment.
Jac,Gson's administration Is looked back
upon as one OF the bright spots in Demo-
cratic history. but his work was mainly
Democrat. hs Was an autocrat When ne
wanted to do a thing. he did It. and It
didn't make much difference whether con-
stltullon. statutes. traditions or principles
allowed II or not. In "Old Hick0ry's'
time 1t was supposed to De a vital prin-
clple OF his party that the people should
govern. and yet he must have chucNled 10
himself a good deal as he day after day
gathered more power into his hands and
ordered his advisors around like Lot Of
school boys. The Democrats can well af-
ford 10 pay tribute TO Andrew Jackson, be-
cause he was great man and ran the
government IN a great way. II is not as
a Democrat. however. that he should be
lauded. for lie didn's rule as a Democrat,
and he had about as muea respect for the
principles Senator Mitchell talks about rs
Nero had for a bnl OF rights
Those Democratic presidents who have
run Things according 10 Democrats prin-
clples. such as Polk. Pierce ana Buchanan.
have beea uoboatc1 and their adm.nlstra-
tons colorless and without force. Those
who ,havo accomplished anything have al
ways thrown their principles to tho four
winds Of heaven. The erea. Democrats
have been these VINO ran things arbitrarily.
ignorcI party leaders, made clerks
az their cabinet officers ana hoggeI the
functions % the entire executive depart
ment. such as jefferson. Jackson ard Cleve-
land. In private these men were Tho great
disciples OF Democracy. In ofiee, the vital
principles they were supposed 70 represent
became mere phantas!es. things 10 be
cmtched ~ bar never caught
When Senator Mitchell talks about vital
principles maklas hs party great he r.
fora 70 something which has never yet
made IL great and newer viii. Sach great
principles are well fitted TO be given forth
With much sound. bat can serve no other
usof1 parpace They VII never Re tn
styumeatal In building % a great govern
meat. FIRST because they are not adapted
ta the needs & progressive nation. and
SECOND because 10 Democrat with brains
blood and body VIII ever live up 10 them
when he gets iuta Office