The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-13

lifts UP his voice and rejoices with MS
Den,oarhslc brethren over the recent VIC
tories I'm the municipal elections through
out the East and West. and says that
they show the wonderful vitality OF the
Democratic party, and its ability TO re-
cunerate after disaster. humiliation and
defeat But after this hilarious congratu-
lation. Mr. iii Immediately proceeds
TO spread a wet blanket over the brethren
bv telling them that they are as usual
over-sangulne. and that they should re-
member that the elections which the de-
mocracy have recently won are MUNICIPAL
rather than state elections In which local
rather than national issues almost "hoiy
prcdominatod. There have been ON!
two state elections. ne says-ono
in Michigan. where tho Repuhh-
cans carried the State 10y their
usual majority; the other I'm Rhode Island
where they carried it by an increased
majority. The victories Of 1895 and 1900
adds Mr.. Ill., arc still TO be won boy intel
liccnt recruiting. won by thorough organi-
cation. and, above all. hy risht principles.
The great trouble with the Democratic
party, insists Mr.. Hill, is oyer-conhdoncc.
lie then proceeds to point out the mis-
takes Of Mr.. Cleveland and his friends On
1898 and 1891. but coming back TO the re-
cent elections in the west he says that
they signify. more than an general d.s-
satisfaction with Republican municipal
administrations. Wherever the Rcpuoli-
cans have obtained power in munlcipali-
ties. he goes on. they have thought TO re-
strict the privileges Of the people. Poo
pie love personal liberty, says Mr.. I'LL,
and they resent Republican interference.
He calls attention 10 the fact that Carter
Harrison. recently elected Mayor Of Chi
cago. attributes his election largely T.
what he terms general desire FOR a
greater degree OF personal liberty. and
that Mr.. Harrison makes no mentior
whatever Of the silver issue. the ineley
bill. or any other national question.
But the most interesting declaration
which Mr.. IIn mokes is that Democrats
are generally stronger upon State and lo-
cal issues than upon national issues es-
pcciany in view of our unfortunate di-
vision on the currency question. There is
something in this worth thinking about
1t is rather late TO hold a post norton
on the Democratic defeat last fan. but
as long as Mr.. I'LL has referred TO the
subject we may remark in passing that
the recent Democratic victories indicate
that II the party could have agreed upon
platform in the National Convention OF
1896 there would be a Democratic Presi-
dent in the White House to-day. The
Chicago platform lost to the party more Of
Democratic voters than 1t gained Of Pop
ulistic voters.
But again, the Democratic party Is
stronger as a local party than as a nae
tional party. because in local affairs there
is agreement as TO policies. whereas in
national affairs, the party. by reason Of
its varied constituency finds it almost
impossible TO fulnn its promises. and has
to resort to compromise which are never
satisfactory to either side. The principles
Of Democracy are right. and are best
suited to Republican Government. The
only difficulty IS that with the many con-
hicting elements in the Democratic party,
II seems almost impossible. when the par
ty IS in power to put these principles into
practice.