Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-06-16

THE GREAT stumbling block in the
way of the success of the democratic
party is the pride of its leaders. Three
years ago, they attempted to lead IN.
to new paths the party, which on &C
count Of its pure principles has had
more cOhesivenesS than any party
which can claim an existence as such
in the United States. Mr., Bryan in
his speeches told the people, over and
over again, what would be the effect
ifthe policy which he represented
were not adopted. HIS policy was
not adopted and his predictions have
all proved to be wrong. The great
mass OF democrats are loyal to the
party, right or wrong. While this
fact adds to cohcSivencSs and strength
it also demonstrates the imp Ortance
of Il wise leadership. If tie party be
led by men who at one time are
greenbackers, at another, free silver
advocates. and at another, ready to
embrace a set of principles extracted
from what were supposed to be the
most popular features of other parties
but NJ variance with those taught
by the old leaders of democracy, IFS
success is almost, if not quite, impossi-
bic.
Brilliant orators and skilled writers
so ably and forcibly presen ted the ar
guments in favor of the free coinage
of silver at a fixed ratio, that a large
proportion of the democratic party
were convinced that the policy was
right and gave 1t their hearty SUP
port. Another large element did not
50 believe, but they had always been
democrats and they were determined
to stick to the party, right or wrong.
Subsequent events have convinced
nearly all Of them that the policy was
not only wrong, but had it been
adopted, 1t would have proved ruin
Gus. Such is the condition of the
party today. The masses would be
willing to throw the Jonah over
Loard, and the only thing that now
prevents the old party coming back
TO the time hOn0red principles under
which it made so many successful voy-
ages, is the pride gifts leaders. They
find the vessel headed straight for the
breakers, but to change It's course is
IN acknowledgement of their error.
1t is hard thing for them 70 do. IT.
requires a great sacrifice Of personal
vanity for men to acknowledge that
they were wrong and that the men
who so tcnaciou>ly chung to the old
principles Of the party and who we're
50 severely denounced as "bolters"
and "deserters" were right.
We confidently believe that the
party will again return to the time
honOred principles from which it has
been led, but it will do so either by
gradually eliminating the poisonous
stuff that has been injected into lis
constitution, or after being humiiat-
ed by an overwhelming defeat which
will enable the masses to distinctly
see the awkwardness of ITS leaders.
1t will come, one way or the other.
Truth crushed to earth will rise
again" Good principles do not die.
The democratic party has often been
pronounced dead by its opponents
and funeral orations have been IN or
der, but in every case, she has prov
ed a very lively corpse. Her leadeis
may cause her defeat, but they can
not destroy the principles upon which
she was first enabled to win victory.
At present, it seems probable that
the leaders will bring about the de-
feat of the party. If such should be
the case, the responsibility will be
placed upon them, and they will know
what 1t IS to be scorned by party,
whose defeat is attributed to their
faulty leadership.