Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-08
Animated BY Spirits Of mischief.

Animafeo ~ Spsf'ts " MisCnis''
The history of the Democratic party is
the history of . great party achieving
some things and promising many more.
tenacious of existence to q remarkable de-
gree, retaining In its midst very many
will meaning citizens even in the days OF
its adversely but animated on the most
inopportune occasions by spirit OF mis-
chief, spirit hostile to true progress and
reform in the administration Of national
affairs. A heresy once lodged in the
Democratic ranks will live, now sup
pressed, and now dominant but as eternal,
apparently, as hope that springs in the
human breast.
All the blood letting Of the Civil War
didn't eradicate the states rights theory
as the condition of affairs in South Caro-
lima today demonstrates. The craze OF
greenbackism that swept the land and
finally burned itself out left embers that
have been noorished and kept alive on the
Democratic hearthstone. 1t burst forth
in Congress at the time the Sherman act
was passed to prevent the Democratic
majority with epublican minority from
passing free coinage measure. 1t reared
its head in at least thirty Democratic
state conventions in 1891 and was only
held back in the national convention Of
1899 on the tacit understanding that a Cal!
houn tariff must come first 1t did not
down then until it had the committal of
the President to the yellow dog currency
of state banks.
Nor was this the only spirit of mischief
animating the ranks of Democracy. To
tear down the prosperity that had come to
us under protective tariff, being at the
time the lustier of the two sentiments,
elbowed the cheap money fellow to one
side and the buncombe about the work
mans cheap tin dinner pail drowned out
the cry for the government to give every
impecunious worshipper Of Jefferson as
he was translated, plenty of money be 1t
paper, silver, copper or IRON Tho former
sentiment has had its Ginning" 1t
wrought much mischief, enough to show
what it meant to do and how injurious its
kind of work was. 1t has taken back
seat now only through force of circum-
stances but is as undaunted as ever and
making the most of its time for recu-
peration.
Fiat money is now to the fore. 1t has
captured the Democratic machine of the
great state Lincoln and Douglass. 1t
whispers welcome words In the ears of the
Populists and sets the Intricate wheels in
the head of Anarchist Altgeld whirring
ominously. 1t has called forth words of
commentator from Democrats all the
way from Maine to Texas "Neyer mind
that many Of the staunch old veterans of
Illinois think that a Calhoun tariff is
about all the iniquity they can stand,
they are brushed aside. Never mind
that but six out of the flfty-two members
of tho national committee sent congratu-
lations, and one of thom from Maine,
didn't Clark Howell of Georgia say that
ninety per cent of the people from the
Potomac to the Rio Grande favor fifty
cent dollar? The others will fall into
line when we have captured tho conven-
tions''
And SO 1t goes. When one malicious
elf ism t engrossing the attention of the
Democratic party another is. Vagaries it
must have. They are as essential as
straight whiskey to the dyed in the wool
Bourbon. They are the fascination, the
ontranclng variety which holds the men,
bers of the party in line, when left to their
common sense the organization would
speedily disintegrate. When they are not
engaged In chasing the will-o-the-wisp of
foreign markets they are hunting silver
moon or looking for treasure at the end of
the rainbow.
What is bad about it Is that the Demo-
cratic party in pursuing one folly dis
tracts attention from another just as eg
regious. And so 1t comes about that
once in a while they get the confidence of
the people long enough to do something
tangible, when the disguised public kicks
them out and feels like kicking itself for
being duped.
In view of that Illinois convention, in
view of tho extent and animus of the
free silver heresy. in view of the most
palpable fact that the party cannot hold
itself to the performances Of creditable
flnanciering for this government Is there
any likelihood that the country will trust
it to undertake that mission 1t is in
credible