The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-03-01
Democratic Party and the Situation


Democratic Party and the Situation.
We Judge that The New York Sun is
greatly worried over the future of the
democratic party. The fact is appar-
ent enough. but the reason therefor
seems TO be neatly buried in Mr.. Dana's
backyard.
The Sun says:
The democracy. then will inevitably lose
a large fraction % the votes & commanded
IN 1855 II It cllnFs to the Chicago pro-
-rammc. No should bear IN mind, on the
other hand that in 1881 Il obtained a large
majority % the electoral votes IN the teeth
OF both republicans and populists. How
can Il regain that prcponderance except
By recovering the help OF democrats who
voted last November either Tor the repub-
ucan candidates or for those OF tie In
dianapoLs convention.
What is all this about? Why simply
this: That no matter what the upshot
Of the Mckinley administration. the
democrats can hope for no Endorsement
from the people until they have turned
tail on their own party and embraced
reDublicanism.
We beg 10 remind The Sun that the
democratic party was more potent in
1896. SO FAR as tho popular vote is con-
cerned. than il was in 1892. Conse-
quently, 1t may be said that the repub-
iican side show nj indianapolis helped
rather than hurt the PARTY. The RENE
dy that Mr.. Dana proposes for regain
ing what he darkly calls "preponder-
sH. i.
cratic programme and purpose rs any
scheme can he. Those who slipped out
Of the party for tho purpose of eleyating
republicanlsm VIII either have 10 re-
main where their attitude places them,
or they VIII have to take mp the bur
den OF democracy 1T tho point where
they threw Il aside. They have tToir
choice IN the matter, and no emotional
appeals will la made 20 them.
The general public disgust az The re-
suits e Cieveiandism did more 20 de-
feat the democratic party than all other
causes combined. and. IN order u crush
out the thing and destroy il complete.
~ rs they hoped. men who had never
before taken special interest in o goneT-
"A election. came out to tho polls and
voted Not all the platforms the real
democrats could write were sufficient
70 clear the skirts of the party of the
faint Of Clevelandism in the public
mind Il stuck. Thousands Of voters
who would have otherwise voted for the
democratic candidates were SD disguised
and enraged az Cieve'andism that they
voted against their convictions in or
der 70 rebuko the party % which they
conceived Clevelandism 20 be a product
The arguments We're that Clevelandism
had brought ruin ~ the business and
agricultural interests. that Cleveland
ism began its deadly work under dem
ocratic auspices. and therefore the
democratic party was responsible
II the party had not cut entirely loose
from the deadly thing. its fate would
have been that of the Palmer-Buckner
AFFAIR which stood for Clevelandism.
Under the circumstances. while the par
tv did not win. it more than held SIS
own before the people. and this must be
regarded rs almost miracle when We
remember that the party made Claye-
laudism possible
We call SIR Dana's attention "a the
fact that the republicans are now on
trial.
Let tho republicans neglect 70 redeem
their plcdeer-iet them neglect to re-
store prosuerity-and tile democratic
r-erondcrauce win appear sooner than
some az tie brethren now anticipate.
The democrats VIII not only make mp
Che comparatively INSIGNIFICANT differ
cnce between the vote for BRYAN and
that FOR Mckinley. bur thov VIII over
throw the republican majority in con-
grees n Tho next election. and install n
democratic president two years there
after.
IL seems that Ccrhett and Fitzsim-
e.. fssar asaFs