The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-15


really TN his heart believes ia what were
once the tenets and traditions OF the
Democratic party. must often In these
dsys wonder what has become OF the
creed the acceptance Of which was once
q condition precedent 90 admission within
the party fold.
The Democratic party Is obsolete. II
has abandoned In toto the tenets OF the
past. 81 has provided no new confession
of faith, and. as a party. Is today with
out one single Characteristic or principle
In any manner akin TO those on which IL
was originally founded.
In absolute truth It may be broadly
stated that there is not In the whole
political outlook one single prospective
national issue OF Importance on which
the men posing az leaders of the Demo-
cratic party. as we'll as the rank and hls
OF the voters themselves. are not to he
found with as many different views as
the subject Is capable of presenting.
ON the tariff question q has long been
recognized that among Democrats Lead
era OF national reputation can be found
men of every shade Of varying opinion
on that subject. from the outspoken. rad
icai free trader. NJ through the inter-
mediate grades OF the moderate revenue
reformer. the tariff for revenue only man.
tho moderate pFotectionist. and the ultra
high proteetiouist.
So hopeiessiy dlscordant were they on
this subject. the most important of re-
cent years until somewhat dwarfed by
the currency agitation. that with an over
whelming majority IN congress. and the
executive power in their hands the Demo-
cratic harty was utterly powerlesS 10 pass
a revenue measure which had any CO.
hereney or truly represented any single
view OF any particular element Instead
of a consistent measure OF any sort. after
months OF weary wranEling within their
own party lines. they were forced to TN
rsct on the country. TO It's damage. a
wrctched. abortiVe make-shlft OF a meas
ure, the paternity OF which is vigorously
discisifned by the men az whose door II
r. sought 20 be laid. The highest praise
which Il has over received. even from It's
authors, Is the apology that Il was the
best they could do
But in connection with this wrctchea
piece OF legislative botch work there Il
shown the most marked Instance Of Dem
ocrasie tneowsisteucy. The one funda-
mental underlying principle upon which
the Democratic party was based IN its
Inception vas THAI the grant of powers
Co the general government contained IN
the federal constitution should - strictly
construed. Ia nearly every political issue
which has divided the country this prfn.
eiglc was laid hold upon by the Demo
cratic party az the guide to the course
which they should pursue.
~ he aF.trfgtss 100000. Sfta -
the last congress the Democratic MON.
hers abandoned that primitive princIpls
without show Of reluctance. and intro.
ducca into the bill the INCOME tax feat.
ures which the supreme court OF the
United States has iust decided 10 be n
violation Of the federal constitution as
beyond the power 90 the federal legis
fatnro 70 enact. And yet 20 the support
OF these unconstitutional provisions q
larger Democratic majority was mustered
than TO almost any other portion OF ths
biii
The leading question Of national I'm.
portance today - that Of the currency
on shts. also. the Democracy are as Nope.
lesslv AMI widely divided as on the tariff
IN the last congress the spokesuen o,
the administrations views on financial
legislation were flowed 80 the hunllia.
ton OF appealing 10 their political ogpa
nents for the aid OF their votes IN PASS
ing a Measure earnestly demanded bs
the administration. ana fer the passaxs
OF which n special SesSioa Of congress.
had hesn convened
And 81 On every subject. II Is as aIfH
cult today - nnt a aosen Democrats phl
ssrNe together IN AT their views on quez
tions % national import - e is 80 nnt
as maay who sgreO N commencing tht
presidents wisdom in making hts polfsiea
appotn srsnts-baTring. - course. fedora
cf4ce holders. who are faettfv bound g,
agree with TIRE presidents views o. al
subjects
The truth 8. tAe Deuccrstt, PARTY 4.
nscrihgnt I, IS IN the tArees a. dtssa
luglea. IL has 10 prtaelpIes lefS ~ t.,
once abundant equipment L has fhrawr
farm al away IN the eager Pursuit a.
office I; has no leaders ln whorn Sc hai
confidence. aaa lts nominal leader. -,
rTrsi5sus. has az al slHsaes shows tna
he has 10 confidence Ia tire rank aaa nh
q his party.
Nothing but the usEle - TIE old nan,
AVA tse Aahl, 81 cpposssion has bella 3
taxesser. VITA tAe slusie rafgylae xroua,
- opposition - tae Beg@olicsn parry .
Coasa snge'e~ up a strong ssSwlrE a.
Minority party. tias With oas cousriei,
vlctory ard tha assaluis eontrai % a.
the machinery or government. ana 10
responsibility Tor legislation Or .ts should
srs sAe wtfer rs,terness ~ TIE crganisa
Es2a was areaer9y TAese Gas 20 c0as
e- .sS prtas-,plra
...-.-.E ~ aa.al