The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-28
WANTED-A LEADER.

In no respect have the deplOrable
dissensions that have been growing IN
the Democratic party for some years
been more injurious than in their de-
structive effect upon discipline and
leadership. A political party, to live
and succeed, must have principles, but
it must also have orderly rule and rec
OgniZed authorities. Long before the
division that occurred a year ago the
personal resentment of certain promi-
nent men, both in and out of congress,
toward Mr.. Cleveland, whether justly
or unjustly aroused, had impaired the
ability of the party to act as a init.
Democrats We're found fighting Demo-
Gratis more frequently than Republic
cans, and took more delight in thwart-
ing or defeating a policy advanced by
one Of their own factions than in ex-
posing the wrong of the Republican
system. The evil was accented when the
split came upon the financial issue,
and the trouble has not been healed by
its gradual subsistence.
Without any reference to either the
tariff issue or the money issue, the
democrats in congress today are with
but recognized leaders, and the same
Us true of the party, to a large extent.
throughout the country In a vote in
the house a short time ago the minor
ity actually split into two sections, one
headed by Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, and
the other opposing his leadership, and
one portion joined with the RepubIi-
cans rather than vote with it's natural
allies. Now, it is hopeless for any
party, no matter by what ideas it is
animated, or how energetic and devoted
may be it's members, how true to the
best interests Of government it's pur-
pose, to accomplish anything with di-
vided councils. The description of the
meeting between the two parties as a.
contest" Struggle" battle" or "com-
bat" by one Of which terms it is al
ways set forth, contains the inherent
Idea Of warfare. Political advance
ment means fighting, and fighting
means the arraying against each other
OF disciplined bodies Of men, whether
they are armed with rifles or with bal
lots. In neither case can the disor-
ganized body compare with the or
ganized, or hope to score a victory over
it. 1t is all the difference between an
army and a mob. Organization never
counted for more in politics than it
does today, and organization is what
the Democracy everywhere lacks.
We do not advocate servile obedi-
ence. We do not believe that any man
should sacrifice a well-founded and
conscientious conviction, but we do
believe that he must set aside personal
prejudices and make many concessions
in unimportant details if he is to ac-
complish anything in public life We
glory in the independence of Democ-
racy, but we see in that independence,
when 1t is carried too far, when it
becomes mere personal pride and
bumptiousness, when it allows a con-
test Of individuals and Of prejudices to
divide the party ranks, a source Of
weakness and Of failure. Before the
time comes about for another cam
paign the Democracy needs to restore
its discipline and to settle upon lead
er whom 1t can follow. 1t is not an
easy task, nor one to be accomplished
without generous self-sacrifice and a
willing cooperation for the sake of the
larger ends of party and Of country.
But 1t ought not to be impossible for
men who hold with Democratic prin-
ciples and believe in them as essential
to human liberty. No party that is
! fighting over its platform or enjoying
public squabbles between its leaders
can hope to carry an election. A great
majority of the voters of this country
would cast their ballots today for De-
nocracy if they had the chance. When
that opportunity comes they mrst he
enabled 20 Join themselves with De-
mocracy united, harmonious, compact