Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-08-28
What's in q Name ?

WHATS In Name
The taunts OF the goldocracy that
the Democratic party has lost in the
slightest degree its right to respect for
a temporary abandonment OF its name.
in the present contest for principle,
fall with imperceptible force upon the
ears OF party that has been noted for
Just such sacrifices at times in its HIS
tory when supreme effort was to be
made for the preservation of popular
government.
In 1861, when it became apparent
that the life of the nation was inn
periled by armed treason, large ma
jority Of the party, as now, ignored the
party name to strike hands with all
patriots who were willing to rally in
support of the flag under the name
OF the Union party. Then as now,
there was faction that prated loud OF
their devotion to Democracy and en-
deavored to use it as a shield TO trail
torous designs for success of the rebel
lion, but the mask was torn from the
objects OF their organization and dur
ing the latter part of the contest they
we're better known as copperheads,"
than by the once honored appellation
under which they were masquerading.
Then as now, it was the blue-blood
oligarchy that attempted to overthrow
the will of the people; then as now,
the gold trust that fattened off the ne
cessities of the government and de-
manded that interest on the public
debt be paid in coin," while green
backs we're good enough for the hum
dreds of thousands of stalwart Demo-
Gratis who shouldered their muskets,
and took their places in the ranks
with Republicans, AbolitiOnists and
Free Sellers, in defence of the nations
life. Then as now the exigency was
one which vibrated the chords of pa
triotic duty and placed neighbor in
unison with neighbor for the mighty
struggle.
The grand old Democratic party will
vainly search for parallels of such mag
nanimity in any organization but its
own, and it can afford many such il
lustrious examples of self-abnegation.
In 1876, when the party saw its fairly
elected President wrested from them
by trick which atfixes an indellible
blot upon our nations history, they
acquiesced rather than to stir into a
flame the dying embers of sectional
hatred. With justice on their side
and scarcely doubt of the result OF
q contest, their conduct afforded a
parallel to the true loving mother in
the rival claimants for the child, who
abandoned her right rather than to
sacrifice her offspring.
Then again, party which main
tanned it's name for eighteen consecu-
tive years after the close OF the war,
amid continual defeat, simply because
it was a synonym for all that was OBJ
jectionable in the party that had en-
tered upon a peaceful administration
of the government with all the AFRO
gance of the lordly class it represented,
entities Democrats to the right Of de-
cision when their name may be laid
aside and when reassumed.
Can the purse-proud aristocrat not
realize that way down in the heart OF
the true American citizen there may
be found something better and nobler
than q mere love for political forms
and party names, the crude tools by
which earnest endeavor fashions the
fabric of free government? Can they
not see in the steady nerve and defiant
mein which mark the present prepar-
atoms for battle, that, as in the con-
test of 1861, this is no mere party con-
test, but warfare to be waged for the
preservation OF the family roof-tree
and the preservation OF the home cir
Gle?
For this object, we are party of the
People. Call us that or anything else,
it will not dull the point of a lance
nor weaken the arm which yields it.
THE Republicans attempted Nc
kinley rally in Seattle, few nights
ago, and it resulted in dismal failure,
when placed in contrast with the en-
thusiastic Bryan meeting which pre-
coded it. Burleigh was the principal
speaker and his argument for the gold
standard was a disappointment to its
friends. About the only applause was
given to an allusion to the Chicago
platform and the mention Of Bryan's
name.
THERE will not be a grease snOt"