The San Francisco call., 1896-07-07
THE GOOD OF DEMOCRACY.

In their appeal TO the honor and self
respect of delegates to hold fast TO the ira.
ditions of the party, Mr.. Whitney and his
confrerss do not exagserate tine dangers
which threaten it. 1t is true that the
Eastern delegates are centering their eff
forts upon the money question that there
may be no departure from the theory that
gold and only gold is the natural metal of
which to coin redemption money; but the
real struggle Is 10 save the party from the
hands OF the Tillmans and the Altgelds of
practical politics. They see, SIS do all
thoughtful people see, that the aseendency
OF such men in any party would be a
menace 10 the political and social safe
guards of the Nation. So long as such
men are restricted in their hurtful infiu-
ence TO organizations OF little numerical
strength their power for evil is not so
great; but when il comes 10 dominating
one of the great political parties of the
country 1t IS time the better element OF
that party was pointing out the danger of
such leadership and warning against il.
But every advocate of individual free
dom and liberty under law should pray as
feryently as Mr.. Whitney and his con-
freres that the Democratic party may be
delivered from the influence which is lust
now dominating its deliberations. The
Democratic party is as necessary 10 the
Republican party as the Republican party
is necessary 10 the Nation, and the freer it
is from unwholesome theories of govern
ment the stronger is the Republican party
aud the better will be its administration
of the sffairs of the country. Were there
no strong and in measure worthy op-
ponent of the Republican party it would
be carried very far. astrsy from its true
mission by the selfish designs OF ambi-
tious men. The country needs the Repub-
lican party because its purpose contem-
plates the oetterment of National aBd in
dlvidual environment, but it would fall
into degeneracy were it not continually
threatened with overthrow by another
party. Its leaders are not different from
other human beings, and the closer they
sTe watched by the leaders OF another
party, who are constantly on the alert for
cause for their indictment and trial NJ the
bar OF public opinion, the closer Will they
keep TO the standard of conduct which
makes the Republican party, in its prinei-
pies OF Government, the strong right arm
Of the Nations veal.
II, therefore, the Democratic party
should be captured by its Altgelds and
Tillmans and their theories of govern
ment adopted as the principles of the
party, the Democracy would exert no
more OF = restraining influence upon the
Republican party than ausrchism now
does. There would be but one great
political party in the country-the Re-
publican party-and through sins of omis-
sion and sins Of commission it wocld in
time become the peoples master instead
of their servant. As we have said, the
Democratic party is needful IN the
strength Of its highest and purest motives
TO the Republican party, just IS the wise,
prudent and patriotic motives OF the Be-
publican party are needed in practical
application in the conduct of the affairs
OF the Nation. Hence no Republican
should look with satisfaction upon the
surrender Of the traditions and the prin-
eiples Of the Democratic party TO men
whose theory of government gives the lie
70 the Declaration OF Independence:
whose definition of ''liherty'' is "eyery
one shall De s law unto himself" snd
with whom the greatest "pstriot" is he
who most successfully rssists the authority
OF the courts. Harmful as the Democrats
party has been TO the country, il would
Be thousand times more dangerous in