The Forrest City times., 1898-07-22
DEMOCRATS AND WAR.
Contemptible Methods of Republic.
ans to Down Their Political
Opponents.

The Indiana democratic platform
speaks in no uncertain tone in those
planks which deal with the war with
Spain. The Hoosier democracy de-
clares that the war 10 just and right
eous; recalls with proper pride the per-
sistent support of the country's cause
by democratic senator's and represent
atives, and congratulates the nation ON
the universal patriotic uprising which
has swept away the last vestiges of
sectionalism; rejoices in the heroic
deeds of Dewey, Bagley and Hobson,
and demands such permanent
strengthening of the navy of the United
States and coast defenses as shall as
sure adequate protection against for
eign aggression. Liberal pensions are
advocated for the survivors of the civil
and the present war. All which is un-
| Objectionable, and most of which is
highly commendable. There is, in all
this, mighty cold comfort for that new
generation of bloody-shirt wavers who.
in their infinite littleness and contempt
ible partisanship, have hoped to utilize
the war as stepping stone to party ag-
grandizement.
The Indiana democrats have put
stop to all that, as no doubt their
brethren in other states will do. No
sane man can be deceived by the al
legged "war issue" in politics. in view
of the earnest, spontaneous loyalty Of
this Indiana platform. The idea of at
tempting to carry elections on the
strength Of war cordially and heartily
| supported by every party, and whose
heroes come from democratic, populist
and prohibitionist firesides to quite as
great degree as from the family cir
cles of republicans!
Such an attempt, of course, argues
the desperation of the narrow -guage
politicians who make 1t. In this state,
the "war issue has been resorted to
simply as drowning man clutches q
straw. The republican machine. re-
duced to desperate straits by the as
| tonishing disclosures made Of canal
frauds as well as by other circum-
stances which need not be recounted.
was in no position to quarrel with any
issue which might seem to offer. James
G. Blaine, long before he died, warned
his party that there was mot another
presidency in the bloody shirt" but
the New York republican machine
with Platt. of peace-at-any-p price fame.
at its head, and with Black. who voted
against Cuban belligerency, as its pros
pective candidate, figured that there
might be another governor in the "war
ISSUE" Hence the constant assaults
upon democraticl loyalty and patriotism.
Hence the persistent Misrepresentation
of democrats In congress, because, for
sooth, they did not tumble over one
another to vote, at the drop of the hat.
for republican financial measures
which, in a time of peace, could not
be adopted even by republican eau
Gus!
These selfish demagogues are them
selves the only traitors in sight. They
are traitors to the union. which now
knows no sections; they are traitors to
the common good. which demands thaB
partisanship be, SO tar as practicable.
eliminated from all war discussions. In
the common enterprise in which the
nation is embarked, the party to which
belong George Dewey and Richmond
p. Hobson, and Fitzhugh Lee, and
Fighting Joe" Wheeler, Is not likely
to be found recreant. The carpet bag.
gers and reconstructionists of the ere
now past hardly did more mischief to
the country than these latter-day mar
plots would do. could they array re-
publican against democrat on the war
ISSUE" and bring into question the
loyalty of either of the great parties
between which American citizenship
pretty evenly divides itself. Such at
tempts deserve the indignant and en-
phatic reputation Of all loyal Ameri-
cans.-Albany Argus.
|