Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-09-02
HAD ITS DAY.

The corruption Of the Republican party
in State and National administration, its
abominable tariff policy. and its control In
many instances BY corporations and monop.
olies have dsgusted and driven away many
men who Joined that party at its organiza-
ton and helped TO give IL the nerve and
vigor which made It's success possible. There
is q strong and growing conviction that the
Republican party has accomplished its mis-
sion and had It's day. Every year 1t loses
some Of those who have been among its
strongest supporters.
One of the latest seceders from this party
is Stephen A. Douglas, son OF the Little
Giant" His father was, a. we all know, a
Democratic nominee for president 10 1850,
and would certainly have beaten Lincoln
If the Democratic party had been content
with one candidate instead of three. Ever
since he could vote, the Stephen A. Douglas
of whom we are writing, has voted the Re-
publican ticket, and Tor years past has been
conspicuous among Republican leaders In
Illinois. But he will have no more Of such
stuff.
A few days ago he made the announce
ment that be had left the Republican party
for good The reasons for his change he ex-
presses as follows:
"Of late years the tendency Of the Repub.
lican party has been TO fasten this govern
ment under the control of trusts and mo-
nopolies. The tendency Of the Democratic
party has been TO curtail the power Of money
and place the government in the hands of
the mass Of the people. not only believe
that this should be so, but l also firmly be-
lieve that the only thing that can prevent
this country from being wealth ridden on
the one hand and mob-ridden on the other
is that the government shall be in the hands
of the plain people All my life my sympa-
thies have been with the people (having
been taught this by the two men I honor
above all others, my father and Mr.. Lin
coln,) and to day believe my proper place
is In the Democratic party, and there l shall
abide"
Mr.. Douglas is now where he should have
been all along, and the boys will make II
comfortable for him In spite of his belated
repentance and reform.
II any one will take the pains to look over
the list OF the prominent, influential and able
men who have left the Republican party
within the past twenty five years and Joined
the Democratic party, and the list Of the
Democrats Of consequence who have taken
the contra course, he will find that the
former far outnumber the latter Glass;
Among the men Of distinguished promi.
nence and Of great ability who have left the
Republican party In the period named we
can mention the names Of Gresham, John
NJ. Palmer, Lyman Trumbull, Andrew John
son, Carl Schurtz, g. W. Julian, ex.Gov.
Curtin and host Of others we'll known as
great political leaders.
There can be no doubt but that the Re.
publican party has had its day. The NUT
terings Of discomfort are heard oil along the
ranks Of the party. The people have not
only grown tired, but are disguised with
Republican rule. They want change and
they want IL In the interest Of good and
cheap government, which means In the In.
terest of all the people-with special priv.
leges TO none.