The San Francisco call., 1898-08-08
FLYING FROM THE FIELD.

FROM New York, Pennsylvania and Ono come reports that the Democrats ot those States will make the campaign this fall on State is- sues only. All signs point to the conclusion that ln California similar tactics will be followed. Of the greater States of the Union Illinois seems to be the only where the Democratic party will go into the field carrying the banner of Bryansm and the Chi cago platform and there the determination or the party to stand by its guns is due not so much to the courage of the rank and file to the indontaoie will of Altgeld, who with the fatalism ot Napoleon returning from Elba, has forced his followers ana yotaries into line for a Waterloo campaign
 This total abandonment of the field ot national politics by of the great historic parties or the country is of the most striking features of the political situation It is an incident unique in our records. Never before has there been among us party strong enough to form national organization that was too weak to make national hght It IS final and convincing proof of the complete demorai- ization of the opposition the Republican policies of protection and sound money and gives assurance the business interests of the country that here after they will longer be harassed by the incessant agtations that have been so disturbing Tn the past
 The occurrence of the collapse of Democracy III the field of national politics at the same time with the of prosperity is than mere coincidence For years past Democracy has been calamity party It has drfted far from the traditions ot its great days when led by TacksOn and from those O1 the past generation under the leadership of Thurman, Hendricks and Tilden, that at present there IS no place in it's councils for wise statesmen, nor Tn Its ranks for conservative citizens. It has now become
 faction of discontent infamed by agtators and has found its way naturally and inevitably to the haven of Populisn where it oscfates between the extremes of socialism and anarchy.
 Under these circumstances 1t is not strange that any effort at contesting national politics with VIC torious Republicansm has been abandoned. Even such leaders as those of the Mcguire type longer have the courage face the people on national is- sues and have turned their longing eyes to State offices In this crisis of the country, when all men see that new era has begun, when questions o tor eign policy are pressing for solution, when the finances of the people are to be revised and reor- ganized Democracy has platform of principles or of policies to advocate Its leaders will seek tor pre- ferment and salary in such offices as colonel ot volunteers Governor of State, or perhaps County Clerk but they will not presume to discuss national affairs or to risk an appeal to the people on them
 It is. not likely that the tactics adopted will be found profitable A flying foe never wins victory. The patriotic instincts of the people are not to be deceived They are aware that in system Of gov errment the politics of State and nation too co sey associated be capable of arbitrary separa- ton They know that any notable Democratic vic tories in the States would be felt hampering ln- fuence upon the Republican administration of the nation. For that reason the people will vote on local issues as on those of the country at large The ot,pcsition that has abandoned the open and larger field will be driven from its hiding place in the other.