The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-12
TIE PARTY OF PROGRESS
The Only Party to Enunciate
Distinctive Policies.
a CONTRAST WITH REPUBLICANS
The Republicans Avoid all Respon-
sibility and Prefer Office TO
Any Distinctive Party
Principles.

parties is measured by their degree of
success or failure. Neither do / en-
terrain feeling in the least resemb-
ling respect for those whose estimates
are made up in this way. Failure and
success are at rnost but relative terms
often. but outward, superficial
things.
Grounded, as / am, in the Demo
cratic faith my admiration for it in
the shadow of its adversely, if possible,
exceeds that which | felt for it when
a Ettle over three years ago, flushed
and radiant with victory, amid tri-
unphant acclaim, it assumed control
of the executive and Legislative
branches of the government. There
is something about this magnificent
cid party which eonjures my loyalty
and love at all times. Grand it is as
it blazes the path of progress IN ITS
sewer and prosperity, but glorious as
it's light goes out in darkness only TO
kindle again the smoulderihS
enbers and reillumlne t
ashes of defeat. a party
with such history and such destiny
cannot but quicken the respect oil
evezv true American. 1t may be that
in the light of the disasters which nave
svertaken it there are some who are
not so poor as to do 1t reverence,
but I trust that in these days of its
aespondency and degenerate crltics
there are yet many who, like myself,
ftsA it refreshing and inspiring TO
eeptemplate the career of party
vhtuA was born in liberty and christ
ensa with immortality, and which TOT
that reason can endure with abiding
.Hf1>eophy triumph or defeat, whether
they be temporary or continued.
he calm and deliberate student OF
events in the history of American
csH$ic.-whose opinions are not the
sroduct Of tickle and unreiiapie
seuular sentiment-must reach the
aoua,usion that the Democratic party
is tAc only party which deserves the
saue of being truly national. IL IS
the only responsible, reliable, repre-
sentative party. Co-existent with
the history of our popular form OF
government, without the Democratic
aar&v. 1t is to be questioned whether
the experiment of republicanism would
hava proven a success. 1t is the only
history making party. 1t is the only
party of agitation and substantial
achievement 1t is the only party
10 snunciate distinctive policies-to
stand for something, and that some
thing always expressive of progress.
10 il the only party that is willing to
aefy the changes of political chance
in order to go on record as party of
real reform. 1t is the only party which
is willing to forsake advantage, sac
rifse supremacy and imperil exis-
tenoe in conservation to some great
idea. 1t is not willing to hold in
abeyance any issue of Importance to
The people in order to court popular
fzvsr and prolong power. Humble
enough to learn and bold enough to
instruct, at any cost, it is always will
ling 10 be wiser to-day than it was yes
seraay, and tomorrow than today.
III il a party which makes mis-
takes because it does some
thing, intead of nothing; which looks
upon it's errors as something to event
ually profit by. 1t is essentially par
~ of inquiry, investigation and expert
meHt. It is a party of original thought
and initiative action. II is willing to
be defeated in campaign Of votes if it
can secure some distinct and substan-
tiai gain in a crusade of reform. it is
a party which would rather remain
IN hopeless and everlasting minority
If il can thereby exert a stronger de-
terminiBg influence in securing wise
legislation The same dauntless spirit
characterizes it i'm the domain OF poll
tics that marks the scientists IN the
field OF universal knowledge.
In the Democratic party freedom OF
opinion is encouraged. In the Republi-
can party il is discouraged, together
with every other contributing element
70 party dissension. Democrats I'M
aesits tingly ALLEVIATE themselves from
each other and from the party of their
allegiance in advocating some great
political principle, often in advance of
the times. The Republican party will
willingly abandon and sacrifice prin-
aipie and pursue an opposite or nom
eeonnittaI course If by so doing il can
retain it's following. Democracy fears
not failure if it follow an honest effort
coward popular enlightenment, while
she Republicans seek success at the ex-
peDse of the peoples illiteracy and
prejudice. The one seeks to educate
the masses in popular government;
the ether withholds and conceals in
formation or deceives with misinform-
alton. The one likes the light; the
other she darkness rather than the
light.
That the people are wiser upon mat
tiers of tariff, taxation, finance and
other matters OF national and interna-
tional policy is due to that party which
has ever been the pioneer in progress
sive thought and positive action in our
political history. The masses may rise
APP in their might and their ebuliitions
of wrath and visit upon this great par
~ their displeasure, but in doing so
they repndiate obligations they can
never repay. When the Democratic
party gets ready to inaugurate "A cam
paigB of education upon any issue il
never waits until the people are ready
and in q receptive mood, but springs
the question upon them at once with
out regard 10 consequences How high
n degree would popular intelligence
register now ia regard TO the tariff
and the currency, and other vital and
lnomentous questions had it. not been
for the audacious and advanced action
OF the Democratic party, which in pre-
cipitating thes issues has time and a.
gain met defeat2
The Republican party is not a repre-
sentative party 1t prefers Offices 70
opinions, One of its leaders, the pre-
Al r ~