The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-07-16
DEMOCRATS DIVIDED.
The'r Policy of Opposition becomes
Apparent Upon All De-
cnsions.

In the face of the strong and pa
triotic national sentiment which has
been led by the present administration
the democratic party is confused and
doubtful. Its policy for years has been
one OF opposition, but il is an migrate
full task TO oppose the American move
ments now SO Justly and grandly in
progress. There are men in the demo-
cratic party who are wise and pa
triotic enough TO be unwilling TO bar
the progress Of events. But these men
find themselves opposed by the reac-
tionaries in their party.
A conspicuous illustration is the
democratic minority in the house OF
representatives. The democrats In
the house decided to oppose Hawaiian
annexation But "A number of the mem
bers of that party refused 10 abide by
the caucus decision. Then an attempt
was made TO whip the recalcitrant
members into Vine, and TO decide that
the action of caucus was binding
upon every member OF the party. But
the attempt failed disastrously. The
discord among the democrats in the
house is shown by the lack OF loyalty
TO their nominal leader, Bailey, OF
! Texas, an obstinate young man who
has been compelled several times 10
endure the ignominy of seeing the
reins taken from his hand at crises
when cool-headed leadership was in
demand.
The democratic state conventions
now being held add their testimony 10
the hopeless division in the party.
Some democrats are disposed 20 dig
Organism out of it's suicidal grave and,
as in Indiana. are cndeavoring 10 re-
galvanize into life the dead cries of
Stree coinage OF silver" and tariff for
revenue only" They would recall the
memory OF the fact that the Chicago
convention with its sixteen TO one"
nbsurdty presented an unreal issue,
and by it's wearing of the livery and
clasping the hand OF populism drove
from the ranks OF democracy it's old
line leaders and followers. Bryan him
self puts on the shoulder straps of n
colonel that he may get high enough
position TO talk about war and the war
policies.
The more up-to-date members of the
democratic party realize that the mill
will never grind with the water that has
past, and they are ready to discuss war
measures and the new questions that
are teaching the people that we arc
on world that Is round and can be
crcumnaylgatcd But here again the
democratic faulty is shown in the
position of obstruction that Is taken.
The congressional opposition to the
war revenue bill is reflected in demo-
cratic platforms throughout the coun-
try, and as war opens the door Of ma
tional growth and development demo
cratic voices, even as far apart as
Bryan and Cleveland unite in the cry
"shut the door"
II Is the old spirit that objected "a
the war measures OF thirty-odd years
ago, and objected TO the constitutional
and other reconstruction that grew
out Of those war measures. II is tho
voice OF party that is obstructive
when il denies and destructive when IL
afiirms.
But this division in the democratic
party emphasizes both the duty and
the opportunity OF republicans. The
conventions OF republicans that are
being held show that the republican
party is awake 10 its obligation and TO
it's privilege. Loyalty to the admin
istration and cheerful readiness "a
enter the doors that open TO larger
uses for American ideals-these are
the manifestations OF n party spirit
that is alive. Tie formation Of party
, lines in the view OF the stirring events
Of to-day assure the result Of tho cleo
tions OF three years-isos, 1899 and
1900. Tried and true men on platforms
already marked out, In nation and In
state-thcse will be the means TO the
desired result.
And meanwhile, unable TO catch ur
TO the American triumphal ear, IN
which the republican party Is riding
the democrats turn 10 fighting one an
other in the road.-Troy Times.