The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-11-26
WHERE ARE THE LEADERS.
In All the History of the Democrats
Party There Has Never neen
So Poor a showing.


Democrats when in a reminiscent
mood say that their party in respect 20 |
leadership reached it's lowest estate |
durlng the civil war and reconstruction
times. This judgment is, OF course,
based on the assumption that most OF
the democracy's leaders came from the
south. and at that time that section was
not represented in congress. This as
sumption is correct. From the days or
Jefferson and Jackson on 10 those or
buchanan the brains and character OF
the democratic party were provided by
| the southern states. After the recon-
struction period the south did not COM
mare as we'll in intellect in its represen-
tation In congress as II did before the
war. The race which produced Call
houn. McDufiie, Jefferson Davis, Breck-
inridge. BENJAMIN, Toombs. Stephens,
Hammond and the rest of the magnates
of the old south did not come 10 the
front Immediately after their states
were restored 10 their former relations
TO the union. Some of the men here
named were wings at first, but all OF
|
party died in 1850 became democrats.
A lower grade OF men intellectually
were in the ascendant In the south in
the 70s and SOS from those who gave the
law to that locality from 1900 onward
10 1860, and the democracy as a ma
tional organization suffered in conse-
quence.
But. tested by intelligence, courage
and character. the democracy OF TIE
country has at this moment touched n
lower level than IL reached in the dark
est days of its previous history. Though
the south was absent in the Cos. the
democracy was not altogether destitute
of intrepid and capable men. IT was
represented in congress by Pendleton,
Richardson (of Illinois), Vallandigham,
Phelps. Randall, Bnyard, Thurman, Cox,
Hendricks, Voorhees, and other men of
that caliber. Feeble in point Of num-
bers the democracy was in those days,
but in courage and general ability II
was far from being contemplate. In
the contests of that time, though ii was
always beaten. il was able TO make a
fight which won the respect of the coun-
try. The best that could be said for
democracy as a partisan organization
was said by one or other or all Of these
nble and conscientious men, and said
effectively. Their arguments and pre-
tensions never aroused the derision or
provoked the laughter Of the country
as do those Of their successors.
In neither branch OF congress nj the
present time has the democracy any
man who, in point OF character or gen
eral capability, can compare favorably
with airy of those who have been men
toned. None OF the democratic chief
tains is able to carry his party in his
branch with him on any question of ma
tional policy. Bailey, technically, Is the
leader In the house, but the rest OF hi:
party does not take him seriously, nnc
IL is not altogether certain that he does
himself The ablest democrats in the
senate are Lindsay and Gray, bu
neither Is In harmony with his party OF
the money question, which the stumI
speakers Of the party say is the prin
! cipal issue before the country. Neithe
has any personal following Gray is L
be succeeded by republican on Mnrcl
next, and Lindsay will be succeeded
by n republican or n silverite. probabl.
by the former, when his term ends
e Outside OF congress the democracy !
T equally destitute OF men of capacit.
o and popularity. Cleveland is out o
y politics. and long before his term ende'
! his party repudiated him. Hill Is
q political corpse. Croker has no stand
/ ing outside Of his own state, and Their
& are indications OF revolt against hir
Z. In that state. Bryan could not get
i third OF the votes in n national conven
o tion to-day Stone and Altgeld ar
Il locnl mngnates only, and locally thei
e reign is probably nearly over. Outsid
lie OF the south. the democracy has not !
le the entire United States man VIII
lie could carry his state in a presidents
N election Not in all the 100 years G
* that party's history has the democrac
le been SO contemplate in the quality an
lie standing Of its representative men as
AZ Is At this moment.-St. Louis GLOBE