St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-07-31
KEEP THE MIDDLE OF THE
ROAD.

There comes the report from Iowa
that the Democrats there are talk
ing of uniting with the Populists,
and the observation is made that,
in that event, ''the campaign will
be a lively one From Alabama
comes word that the notorious
Kolb is opposed to fusion with the
Republicans this time, the efforts of
Senator Hoar and the Boston Home
Market club to raise funds to aid
his fusion last year not having been
satisfactory to him. In North Caro-
lima the Republicans and Populists
formed a perfectly natural union
and divided the two United States
senatorships between them. In Kan
sas there was a coalition of the
Democrats and Populists. And so
it goes. There is always, in every
party, a contingent of practical
men, as they delight to term them
selves, who regard the possession of
the offices as the all-in-all of party
purposes. The principles of the party
to such are only ornamental ap-
pendages, sort of distinguishing
badge, to be worn on state occa-
sions and put away when work
begins. Where the party is in the
minority, these fall readily into any
scheme that promises the Offices as a
reward, and unite easily with eth
er, regardless of their professed prin-
ciples
Usually they are in control of the
party machinery and thus able to
give the party an apparent direc-
ton, making it responsible for their
act of prostitution. But, while COW
ering the party with the bad odor
OF their deal, they are never able
to control the members; and that
always large and influential portion
that set principle above expediency.
that regard adherence to principle
as the best, the only true expedien-
cy, refuse to be traded Off The re-
suit is generalization; and, if sue
cess comes, it is never more than
temporary, while the disorganization
in the party and the distrust outside
of it are permanent. Such has ever
been the experience of the Demo-
cratic party, and, in the thirty years
just behind it, it has had FREQUENT
illustrations of it's truth. The Dem
ocrats of Iowa may well ponder the
lessons Of that experience and espe-
ciaily those of their own. Demo-
cratic leaders of the practical" sort
might learn from them the real expe-
diency of keeping to the middle of
the Democratic road, never diverg-
ing into any of the alluring side
paths that promise short cuts to
victory
The history of all parties, and
especially of ours, shows that they
are never so strong and never SO sue
cessful as when they adhere with
the greatest fidelity to their basic
principles; and that they are never
SO weak as when, consulting expe-
diency, they make sacrifice of prin-
ciple for hope of immediate profit.
There has never been a time in the
history of the Democratic party that
| it was not triumphant when it was
most thoroughly and earnestly
Democratic. When it went to the
| people advocating Democratic poll
cies, based on immutable Democratic
| principles of government, it won.
| When, in the execution of the com
mission given it to put those policies
in force, it has proven untrue, it has
been cast out. Adventurous circun1
| stances, such as the panic of 1887,
have temporarily overthrown it, and
it is possible that the panic of 1893
would have been sufficient to defeat
| it had there been no recreancy to