The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-19
THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.

\ OTHlNG more discouraging to any one look
y ing for a statement OF principles can be sug-
gested than the Democratic debate OF the fnan-
cia measures in the House. Excepting the bolt OF
briggs nothing from that side oil the House
that is deserving OF the least respect or consideration
Whether the representatives OF the party without
the equipment to discuss a principle, whether At
heart they disbeieve their professions the result
is the same They tainted nagged and threw epithel
and nyective style that belongs only the baser
order OF stump speaking What fall was there
from Carlisle Randall. Morrison Mills Cox, Kerr,
and other leaders OF the party who recovered for it
OF the confidence and respect OF the people,
LEM Bailey and the leaders in last weeks discussion
One looks in vain through all the swollen stream OF
drivel. turbid with i'll temper. for single sentence
that is in line with the genius and interests OF the
country.
All wise men know that an intelligent and pa
trotc political opposition is a necessity the proper
working OF system OF government But for the
first time in history there is no such opposition
and therefore there is no opposition at all. The
Democratic party at present under the sustained i'm
pulse OF the Chicago platform and led by angle Of
bells render the country only service and
that Is to disband and die During the Civil War it
had and deserved more respect than now. Then Sey
mour. Thurman and Pendleton. no matter how mis-
taken they were in clingng to a dying order OF
things. OF character and with talents which
enabled them to give reasons for the faith that in
them.
The Republicans in the financial debate tired them
selves hitting the air and when they tried 10 get
concrete Democratic statement in the form OF an
amendment to the bill they we're denied this by 4
Democratic obection No wonder that a small
Democratic contingent, returning to a former type
OF principle in sheer disgust proposes support the
bill. and that others expect to express their deep
fatigue with the party leadership by snubbng the roll
call so to increase the majority for the measure.
Out OF this situation issues an admonton TO all
party leaders. This country builds on its economic
health. not lis economic disease. Ii IS be ruled
by IT'S intelligence and hope. not by It's ignorance and
despair. Ii there were not room for two parties il
they were not necessity, only would ever have
existed. But when one exists only to appeal to de
spar and disintegraon to look Tor success only %
national misfortune and calamity, il is an obstruction
and not help to progress.
There seems no possible regeneration Tor American
Democracy on It's present lines. Trying to live on
Republican mistakes lis own far offset them as to
make them seem wisdom OF the highest order
The coming ticket OF Bryan and Hogg will prob
ably be its last and the prophecy OF Tilden that
would elect one man President and then slowly die
after its recent exhibition OF ncapacity the country
takes further interest in what may do or leave
undone in the present session OF Congress 1t can
do no good 1t can even do no harm When party
Is so wrong that 1t do no harm it is insol-
and discredited
Mr.. Bryan advanced TO leadership on the damage
done by FIVE dry years in Nebraska. He represented
the lean kline in the Egyptians dream but he was
misplaced and out OF time, for he has been bawing
around the outside OF the pasture trying to gore the
fat cattle that have fed on the plenty that followed
famine.
Now he IS hoping for another drought. and is the
prophet OF pestilence and famine One after another
the skin and bone herd that followed him has stopped
to Craze on the plenty that is underoot until they
too wax lat and kick when he orders them to follow
Next year he will roar calamity to full granaries
and poverty TO men who jingle high wages in their
pockets and will very properly as undertaken to
party for which he prescribed as physician
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