Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-09-02
FRIDAY, SEPT. 2, 1898.
The Democratic Party.
IF lie LEADERS ARE AS FOOLISH As
THEY WERE TN 1896, DEFEAT
IS CERTAIN.


The New Orleans Picayune, one Of
the sblsst and most conservative
democratic journals south OF the
Potomac river, in leading editorial
headed LAS to the National Demo
cratic Party" says
"When the democratic party allied
itself with the populists and other
Western socialists, its leaders sought
70 cut themselves loose ftom the
Eastern democracy, and they raised
tn. cry that they did not need New
York and New Jersey to carry the
country.
"The overwhelming defent suffered
by the mongrel combination should
have taught, and doubtless did teach,
some important lessons IN party poll
tics, aud unless the democratic lead
ers are bent on the complete and
final destruction OF their party, they
will cease the wild and radical as
ssults upon the national money stan
dard and public credit and private
property, which made the slap he OF
their doctrines in the last national
canvass.
.'The populists have on all sides an
pounced their determination to make
no more alliances with the democrats.
and the other socialists are too few
in number and too radical in their
notions to secure the favor OF any
but cranks and radicals Ofthe most
extreme sort. The democrats OF the
old and conservative type who were
driven from the ranks Of their party
by the wild plunge it made into popn-
lism are still democrats.
"Ths problem for the democratic
leaders is to take measuses TO unite
the party on some basis Of principle
where all can stand. No good can
come of trying to force particular
ideas about money on anybody. The
money question is business matter
that must be and will be settled by
the great commercial countries en-
gagged in international traffic, and
legislation cannot change what com
m.rclal ussge snacts. All soclalis'lc
attacks on public and private prop
srty can only and in precipltatlng
bloody conflict between those who
have something and those who want
to seize upon it. Great political
parties must be based on principles
national, public and general Social
ism, Will it pretends to regard only
the good of the whole population Is
really a struggle by selfappointed
leaders TO advance and aggrandlze
themselves at the expense of those
who work and earn or have laid up
something as the result of their labor
and intelligence.
"Democracy's business is to preserve
the republic as republic, where all
proper personal and property rights
are protected by constitution and
laws. When democracy does this, 1t
has performed a high duty.
Ifthtre is to be real national
democratic party, its leaders must as
.emble all the elements and forces
that will respond to the call Of a real
democracy. The vote of New York is
lust as necessary as ever it was. The
foolish notion about the West is too
narrow for the basis of national par
ty. New York this fall is going to elect
Governor, lieutenant, governor secre-
tarv of State, comptroller, treasurer,
attorney-general State engineer and
surveyor, members of the Legislature
and members of Congress. 1t is behev-
cd by those who have reason to hold
such belief that the democrats have
fair chance to win if silver is not
made a feature in the campaign, and
If State issues and good government
are brought to the front. Governor
Blacks administration has not been
satisfa Glory. The canal scandal, IN
which public funds 10 the amount OF
of sew eral million dollars are involved
and the election law known as the
"Blsck force BILL" which Was a blum
der, to say the least, give the demo
Gratis an opportunity to overthrow
the present administration and to re-
gain the control of the State. With
clean candidates, who are also men OF
ability in whom the people have con.
6dence, they may beabls TO defeat the
republicans.
1.-THE war with Spain and its out
come are going to exert profound
influence on the national political sit
uation. II the democratic leaders are
wise in their generation, they may
reunite the party. If they are as fool
ish as they were in 1896, they may as
well dig their political graves"