The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-09-30
\N/HEN TIE BRIGHT sun Of Liberty arose
above the eastern horizon and cast its
llfc-giying rays across the western CONT
THE FUTURE or THE
OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

tincnt, the first fruits Of IT. warmth and light we're the principles which un.
dcric The democratic organization Of today.
when the Declaration Of Independence startled the world and announced
the discovery of a new thcory Of government when those brave men who
formulated that lmpcrktabc documents signed their names Il it and pledged
life, property and all 10 its defense and maintenance, then was the demo;
cratic party organized and became an eternal political entity. The dem"
cratic party va. the guardian angel under the loving shadow Of whose wing
the republic wa, borne: # rocked the cradle Of the infant republic; M rtur-
ed and gave 1t strength in the hour Of its weakness; led Il through all the
greater irml. and yiris.tudcd u its youth, and all along the highway Of
ed when tie Lr@. reflected is principles, and policies c"nf"med I" 'tS
teachings, all went well with the nation. But the slightest variance from
its fixed principles at once pat into operation agencies Of decay and govern
tat d.lrl1pu. Tn democratic party Itself has a few times in its history
wandered away from pristine principles. but ncverw without paying the pain
mD penalty Of IcrUmlous apoNAsy. II has at times unguardedly, yielded to
the Influence of the political Ncphtstophelcs and gotten on, Of touch with
HE ,ourrc OF it, lc and therefore suffered the consequences Of error; but
like Nnyo," or Old. 1t has universally res"i"ed all of It's lost strength 1eroS
cred It's original ,UIuy and prestige when brought back in touch with the
udc-trrthlc foundation Of Truth Justice and Right. The question is
akrd: What Is the future Of tn" Democratic party? We think the auc''
too easy roap,vyr if the adDrcntS to democratic faith viii just stick to
first principles,
when the democrats met n national convention in Chicago in 1856, the
enemies Of true democracy sought in vain to lead the people of. They
had butdcd a golden god aud commanded the representatives of the people
f., nou ,ynL .G,r. If and vurshin it, Convinced Of the inNdcIty involved
in the command thoroughly satisfied and impressed with the wickcdnc~ Of
til" p|rpos" Of the lrnr'"r' they refuse" tt d" It, They saw ana understood
the right and they had the manhood the courage and the patriotism to do
it. The representatives. Of corporate greed were there the agent Of the
rouwicurrIra money monger was there; indeed the convention hall and
the city Of Chicago wrr" filled with the claqners and s'hcmers Of the mon
opoUs and putoraltr vampires They wcrc brought for the purpose Of
overwhelming the convention, But thank God. they failed in their ncari-
on, uurpO,,. The srryauts of the sovereign people were on the ri ire
they saw the issue and proceeded to meet it And they did 1t well. The
rlatIorr, aIonrcd by that convention is the cryaalixation Of justice and
right As applied to governmental matters. 1t accords absolutely with the
teachings. of Ihos Jefferson. 1t is the best platform that ever challenged
the admiration of u free people, and for which patriots did heroic battle
The future Of the democratic party Is safe II it will but stand by this
platform.
1t may in the future, MS In the past, suffer cphcmcral defeat encounter
Temporary rcycrsrS and all That, hut just as sure as the great body OF AmcrL
can surrapist~ are honest, intelligent and patriotic just AS src rs they
love their country and the right, just so sure will they abandon the leader
shp of drnngogucS mcrccuarms and traitors and return to do battle under
the benign shadow of the democratic banner. To our mind there is mol
doubt about If. We mc always willing to trust the people we have imphc-
it faith in the patriotism, the honor and the courage Of the American suf-
fragist we believe him capable of governing himself lie may make mis-
takes. hut he will also correct his mistakes. Feeling that way about, 1t we
have no fears for the future Of The democratic party, 1t was borne with
the nation 1t has been its stay and support through all the pcrlous yicisi-
tudr> of It's wonderful career, and it win remain so ~ long rs the republic
shall live. When the republic shall crumhlc and fall, and isl laid to rest In
the cln,rnel house Of political history, then will the democratic party cease
ItocXiSt - Iut not until then.