Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-24
CAUSES or DEMOCRATIC DEFEAT.


The Dover Delawarean of Saturday,
continues its investigation OF the
causes that led to Democratic defeat
in Delaware ut the recent election.
1t says:
The ridiculous pretensions OF pre-
tended and self-important leaders were
also fruitful cause OF Democratic
disaster. .K
The assumption of political leader
ship by incompetent and unworthy
persons who would not and could not
oven be loyal followers has o greater
tendency than almost anything else
to produce disorganization, apathy and
defeat Hypercunning politics and
sham profession, of attachments to
Democratic principles cannot be
counted on to achieve success. The
desire to feather well one's own nest
il too transparent to be hidden by
flights of elocution, no matter how
carefully prepared, or by protestations
OF sympathy for the condition OF the
dear people.
We have had too many sclf-appointed
leaders who had no followers; too
many professional politicians who were
unable to earn an honest living out
side tho warm walls of political
Office and too much sacrifice OF self
respect to inspire respect or con-
viction in the minds Of those who did
| the voting.
The small incident Of moving a
Democratic meeting held for the dis
cussion Of the principles Of good gov
eminent from under the shadow of
| a State House TO II stable yard, close
to the inspiration of handy bar room,
| is only slightly indicative of conditions
which might have been avoided.
Let US have honest principles, plainly
stated, explained and illustrated, and
| tho people are with us now as they
always have been. Let us have the
facts Of good Democratic government
| told, and the people will not go wrong :
but let them once doubt the sincerity
of expression or catch the ring Of the
false coin, and they will have no more
OF it.
The leaders of the old days have
been too much pushed in the back
ground. The men who were the lead
ing men of their neighborhoods in in
telligence and character were too little
consulted as to party policies, and
faithful, Woodworking Democrats came
to think that hard work was theii
only share in politics and that trickery
and chicanery, which they despiset
and would not resort to, were tn,
only road to political preferment, or b,
which friend could be aided.
Is it surprising that apathy sup
planted political energy and activit!
and that defeat ensued?
The only way to make our part.
healthy is to go back to old conditions
when natural leaders were the leaders il
politics, when men were recognized b,
the work they did and influence the
properly exercised, not to push them
selves into political Office, but becaus
they lived lives of wholesome citizen
ship, when sometimes even unwillingl
rewards of public Office were forces
upon them. In such times health
conditions make strong men and stron
parties, believing in sound, health
principles and practices; and we be
Iieve that such healthy condition
, exist today in our party, though som
, stenches and much dust which hav
| been produced and kicked up ma
, seem most prominent and penetrating
/ We shall labor in our small way
prove this true, and il the good men c
, our party will all help We shall b
. satisfied with results accomplished.