The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1899-08-25
OpPORTUNI1 Y OF DEMOCRATS
A Time for wisdom and Counsel
and the consolidation of
the party.

That hope which beats eternal In
| tie human breast Is concomltant OF
democratic faith. 4 long lease OF
power, ably and discreetly exercised
through the formative period OF our ma
! tioral existence. and until long after
| the experimental stage OF our institu
| tons was passed. gave way TO a series
of reverscs no less remarkable. De
mocracy has had comparatively small
! part in the direction of public affairs
since 1850, yet IL has never thought Of
abandoning organization, has never
failed TO make a stubborn fight for
supremacy. and has never relinquisheo
the underlying principles of its politl'
cal creed. The inherent vitality of u
party that can thus rise confident and
defiant from continued defeats is such
as to insure success II its wisdom will
not prevent dissipation OF such splen
did courage and strength.
The reliance OF the republican party
upon some fatal blunder on the part
OF the opposition has too often been
verified There has been want of lead
crship aud of gcnoralship. Instead ~
masSiug strength forces have been scat'
tered and divided against themselves.
There l. "A lack OF tolerance within the
party, a failure TO bear and forbcar,
to modify Individual and factional opin'
ions so as To reach such AN avowal oi
principles a. will receive loyal and con-
sclentious support from ali With this
concessionnry spirit prevailing tho
democrats have one of the finest fight
ing opportunities presented them in
half "a century.
Merely for the sake Of presenting
this view 81 the case In its strongest
light, assume that IL would bee right 10
bring our financial system under the
dominion OF those fagoring free silver
II h the evidence OF one attempt and
the conviction OF the shrtwdest puliti
cal prophets that the thing cannot lac
done. Nothing j. more certain than
that the forcing Of this Issue 10 the
campaign would lose the support OF
many who are autagonistlc 90 the re
publican party in its present attitude.
Why. then, commit the folly OF max
ing II an instrument of party defeat
Why ALLEVIATE an element 81 strength
that miCat insure victory iu the next
national contest? rs has been said
by an cNlu.ted States senator, who
supported nryan: The silver CUES
ton is not the only issue which con
fronts the American people. II - not
even the most important one and the
statement j. trucr now than when he
made IL.
The imperial policy OF the admiulstra
ton, the unprecedented r,ign OF trusts
aud the underlying principles of dcmoc'
racy as bearing upon the problem oi
the best popular government. shoulo
inspire a platform particularly accept
able TO the masses. and " IL is not pro
,idcd them, without the financial plank
TO which they cannot subscribe, the
onus Of defeat and the continuance OF
current msrulc will be charged 10 the
platform makers. II Is a time for wis
dom in council. and the men Of the
PARTY should address Themselves sen
ousiy To- this question Of securing au
army that will give triumph 20 theii
cause. IL Is clearly a choice betwe., |
sacrificing everything or gaining tho
much that seems attainablc.--Detroi'
Er.r pr.sx