Evening journal., 1898-11-28
A WORD no TINE CRoAKERs.


In the discussion OF a public question
there is nothing like sincerity. That
the Democratic party Of Delaware has
suffered a severe and crushing defeat
there is no doubt. It is equally appar-
ent that it has, for the time being,
ceased to be the dominant party in
Delaware. This defeat has brought out
the party croakers, and the land is
alive with their voices They are
piping their pet reforms and backing
them up with prophecies OF future dis
aster unless something is done along
the lines suggested.
The Dover Delawarean is one Of the
foremost of these croakers. It gives
the party more advice in a week than
IT can take in a decade. Here is a
sample culled from suggestions cover
ing nearly two columns Of space:
We have had too many self-appoint-
ed leaders who had no followers; too
many professional politicians who
were unable to earn an honest living
outside the warm walls Of a political
office and too much sacrifice OF self-re-
spect TO inspire respect or conviction
m the minds OF those who did the vot-
ing.
The leaders OF the old days haveI
been too much pushed IN the back
ground. The men who were the lead
ing men OF their neighbOrhoOds In in
telligenoe and character were too littlel
consulted as to party policies, and
faithful, Woodworking Democrats came
70 think that hard work was their only
share in politics and that trickery and
chicanery. which they despised and
would not resort to, were the only road
TO political preferment, or by which
friend could be aided.
The Democratic party has rules gov
erning its organization, and we would
ask the Delawarean to name the SELF
constituted leaders. II it questions the
regularity Of the State Central Com
mittee and the county executive com
mittees specifications should be made
NO leader OF the Democracy can be
self-appointed. The acquiescence OF the
party is necessary to constitute such
leadership, for man cannot be a
leader unless his party permit Il.
The Delawarean, it will be observed,
also attributes the defeat to profess
SIGNAL politicians and office-holders. IN
what respect do the Democratic pro-
ftssional politicians and office-holders
or to-day differ from those OF the past
or from those OF the Republican party
The offices are flied by election or ap-
pointment nOw as in past years, and
the particular friends OF the Delawar-
can have had their full share not only
Of professional politics, but also OF the
ufflces. In fact, the editor Of the Della
warean has held two offices within
four years. In 1895 he was a member
OF the House OF Representatives, and
in 1897 a delegate to the Constitutional
Convention. In addition to that his
newspaper has had its full share OF
party patronage. He rails against
trickery and chicanery In politics, ap-
parently forgetting that he was a
knowing beneficiary OF the work OF the
Kent county board OF canvass two
years ago. We do not know OF any
piece Of triclSery more fragrant than
that The only excuse in the world FOR
it was that Addicks had bought the
votes and the Democrats refused TO
count them. But the fact remains that
the editor OF the |Delawarsan, who now
pirates so glibly on trickery, was not
avense TO prohting by its operation.
let him name the leaders OF the old
days who have been pushed TO the
background We want to get an idea
OF the drift Of his mind and the extent
Of his fearful retrospection. There
may be more in it than we see at first
glance. in fact, we believe that his
minjreverts ten or twelve years, any
how
Who are the respectable and intelli
gent party men who are neither pro
fssslonal politicians nor ex-office-hold
ers who have not been consulted? Give
us list thatwe may analyze it and se'
why they have not been consulted.
We have no patience with a maj
who has never done anything else bu
dabble in politics. who has held tw'
offices in four years; who accepted al
office which he knew had been OBJ
tanned by political trickery, coming Z
the front at time like this and read
ing his party lecture on professiona
politicians, chronic ofice-ho!ders an
political trickery.
The troublts Of the Democracy {
Delaware began with the Salisbury
Wolcctt factional fight more than te
years ago. The election OF Ser
ator Higgins put new life IN III
Republican party. 1t brought Addicl
TO the front. The electorate OF Dels
ware became corrupt. and hundreds {
men who had voted the Democrat
ticket were bought over to the SUI
port OF the Republican and Union RI