Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-01-19
"A STUDY OF DEMoCRACY.n

reorganization OF Depocratic forces.
1t rightly inquiries "What are the
fundamental principles Of Demo,ra-
cy?n And in conducting this inquiry,
1t refuses to be swerved to the right
hand or to the left. 1t holds that de-
parture from fundamentals has led to
the unhappy divisions In the Demo-
cratic ranks. Extreme party men do
not appear 70 give The Journal much
encouragement In It's work in the di-
rection indicated. and 1t appears to
be almost case of loves labor lost.
But Notwithstanding, The Journal
keeps on the even tenor OF its way,
and in its issue Of Saturday, Jan. IA,
says:
"The Portage Democrat has made
an endeavor to sound the Democrats
OF the state on the proposition to have
general and free conference on the
condition OF the party. The Journal
has tried to get an expression from
the Democratic editors of the state on
what constitutes the fundamental doc
trines OF the party. In one view, their
independent efforts aim at the same
purpose, since the only thing upon
which a conference could discuss with
profit would be this very question.
Many answers have been received and
published. 1t Is possible now to take
view OF the situation as so far dis
closed.
"There seems to be wonderful lack
in comprehcnding the distinctions be-
tween principles or doctrines and is
sues. BY no process does 1t seem
possible to get II discussion OF the
principles upon which issues should
be decided or by which they should be
Judged. Almost every writer goes off
at once on the issues now. pending or
likely TO arise. TO illustrates; one
writer says that bimetalism may be
no longer feasible and may never
have been. n SO, reject the principle
and declare for new issue. He then
winds up by saying that the funda-
mental principles OF the party are
eternal and Interchangeable. This pict-
urcs the confusion prevalent on this
topic.
"The bulk OF the answers affirm that
there are no differences In the party;
that there can be none; that those who
support the ticket arc Democrats and
those who do not adhere are not; that
these can come back into the party by
stepping up to the polls and giving
their allegiance with their ballot,
This test of Democracy seems too
narrow. 1t makes the party II body
of men, not u body of principles.
And further, this body of men must
agree absolutely to be governed, not
by principles, not by individual judg-
ment Of right and wrong, but by the
will of u majority. That the ma ority
should govern, Is we'll established;
but the fallacy IL in determining what
the majority Is majority of. Is it Of
~ number of men, simply; or of men
holding certain fixed principles by
which they are to guide their course?
Nov II the eternal principles of
Democracy arc known and eompre-
hended, it would appear that the ma
iority should DO composed of those
who nvow belief In those doctrines
and those only. When the majority
Is composed OF many, or mostly, of
those who either never knew those
doctrines or believe In others con-
trary to or destructive OF them,
should tho majority govern? One
writer complains that the convention
believed In tho principles, but lost
their limitations. This points to the
distinction between principles and
mere issues. Neither principle, so
called, nor issues can change facts or
laws of nature. How then shall we
decide what are principles and what
their natural limitations are? The
Portage Democrat says IL general con-
ference will help. The Journal tries
to argue them out that the people may
read and consider. Between them,
many minds have received N better
direction and higher impulses.
1.-THE Democratic party, from the
very nature of Its doctrines, is less
amenable to party discipline than any
other. 1t Is the party of individual
ism. AS u party, 1t asks nothing for
the person and everything for the
public on the country: 1t promises no
support to private interests In public
affairs II offers no paternal protec-
ton; 1t does not teach that one man
or set of men arc more. capable than
others to guide and are therefore to
w ''ii'"N" w 10 INV bh'
opportunist party TO make the most of
any wave of public sentiment, whether
right or wrong. 1t Is not surprising
then that it Is difficult to hold it all
together. This fact makes it the weak
est of parties for the wrong and the
strongest for the right, This is the
result OF It's individualsm, which lies
close at the bottom of its doctrines,
The rights and duties of individuals
are it's theme and care.
"Some have asked, what is the use
OF trying to save II party in whose
presumed ranks are gathered such Il
promiscuous throng rs now appears
to them to form this parity Some
who folt compelled To withdraw their
support from the organization two
years ago, SEQ no place of rest. They
SEQ no hope In the present organiaa-
tion aud no prospects OF any other
moro to their minds, 70 these we
say, never despair. It the principles
Of Democracy are eternal, they will
como to the front. tt Democrats have
gone beyond the limitations of those