The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-08
PRAISEFOR THE KANSAS DEMOCRAT


Democrat. Microscopical in his minor
ity. he has proven himself a dwarfsl
David conquering Goliath of bruta
superiority. Diplomacy with him hal
mastered what he lacked numerical
strength to accomplish, patience ant
singleness Of purpose has made him VIC
tor where temper and dictation would
have brought speedy defeat and CALLING
ignominy.
A brighter. shrewder lot of politicians
never existed than are the Kansas Dem
ocrats. Numbering but a handful in
each county they stood isolated, meagei
and unsupported for years while the
turbulent, slapping, dashlng, roaring
waves of an overmastering majority OF
10000 Republican majority beat upon
them. Then came a schism in the Re
publican party. The Alliance withdrew
great part of the Republican strength;
it became the Populist party in due
time. AS all fractional fragments are,
it was very bitter against the Republi-
can party. The Democrats slipped into
this PopuIist party, like disguised war
riors into fort that it would be impos-
sible TO take by open assault. The
Democrats mingled with the POpulists,
raised their voices and chOrused their
cries against the Republican party.
Yea, more than that. They called them
selves Populists, called themselves that
suavely, gently, sweetly, and so complet-
ed their disguise. But never once in all
these long years have these individual
Democrats been out Of touch with one
another. Never once has any member
of that gallant little band Of political
diplomats, in calling himself Populist,
believed himself POpulist. Never once
in all their cunning, devious maneuyers
have they failed to mark the Democrats
from the Populists and keep them di-
vided in the caucus, mingle and mix as
much as they liked in the conventions
and at the polls.
The Republicans early thought that
they saw the trick. They began to call
excitedly to the Democrats that the Pop
ul.sts were swallowing them. 1t may
be that the Democrats were for mo-
ment misled by the cry. At least they
once nominated Overmyer for governor
But they soon saw the mistake. They
knew better than the Republicans. The
POpulists were not swallowing them. So
back they slipped into the Populist fort,
mingling with the POpulists as before.
Again the Republicans sounded the
warning cry of the political swallow,
but the Democrats, smiling TO them
selves, crept closer TO the Populists.
Their disguise was complete. Only
once was it in danger of exposure. A
tangle of political complexities made it
necessary for the Democrats to reveal
themselves, almost. last year The
Democratic leaders were Cleveland post
masters, and for fear of losing their
jobs they kept away from the POpulists
and the Populists were suspicious on
that account. But Cleveland stepped
down and out, and the Democrats again
slipped into the PopuliSt fort The time
for action was close at hand. PopulistS
were growing weary of Populism. Their
leaders were growing tired of battling.
beginning this spring, all over Kansas.
the plan by the disguised Democrats
70 -atsl-
were taken. One by one as the Popu-
list county conventions in Kansas were
held, the Democrats seized the port
holes One by one as the caucus-select-
ed tickets were named. the Democrats
grasped the bulk of the county ticket.
and were at last on top. They are there
today, happy. supremely happy, as any
man has right to be who has won out
over tremendous odds. Democrats dis
guised as POpulists are showing them
selves as Democrats again, and every
man at gun, every man in direct man
ipulation OF the party machinery is
Democrat Democracy is triumphant.
and it deserves praise. Had Democracy
taken the advice of this paper and other
Republican papers in Kansas six. five.
four, three, two years ago. Democracy
would have lost. Populism was not.
then, in a temper to follow Democracy.
An 10000 majority was not to be turn
ed Democratic in day. 1t was a slow
process, a process of diplomacy, this
turning of a Republican horde. of Re
publican training. into the fold of good.
old, rock-ribbed Democracy, conserva-
tive always, born Of the chivalrous
south and brilliant in the diamonds.
white linen and broadcloth of that aris-
tocracy. the Virginia aristocracy of
which Senator Harris is the Kansas rep
resentative
So it has happened that the clean
shaved, well-fed. smooth-dresSed. soft
palmed Pitches. SpencerS and Lockes of
almost every Kansas county have made
a following of the brrow-sweatinc.
heavy bearded, horny -handedformerR Re
publicans of Kansas. who used to hate
Democrats as the Devil hates holy
wafer
Let the open-handed praise which
goes out 10 these Democrats be accom-
panied with the moral that 10 brain and
patience and diplomacy nothing IN poll
tics is impossible.
NANSEN AND HEREDITY.
DR. Fridthof Nansen and the gallant
Norwegian crew of the Fran have fur