Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-07-13
THURSDAY EVENING, JULY IS, 1899

If SENATOR MORGAN be really re-
sponsible for the interview published
in Washington paper, purportlng 10
be from him, it is melancholy sequel
to 8 career, which, while not free from
errors. has been marked by high s'lll-
ty. courage and fidelity to the demo
cratic cause. We can make much al
Iowance for mis- old sge; comparative
isolation and neglect of the methods by
which a public man should keep In
touch with the people,-their wants,
necessities and aspirations. 1t would
be well il he spent more time in Ala
bams and less in reading the White
House organs published in Washington.
Had he done this, we should not now
ha called on to note his errors but to
applaud his uttersnces. His interview
can have but one meaning and one in
4erpretation. 1t is that the six and q
half million of faithful democrats, him.
self included, who supported Bryan
and free coinage in 1896 but were over
bornesby Mark Hanna's big corruption
fund. the bulldozing of the money kings
aud by false counting at the ballot box,
ara not to renew their battle; but to
cover and shrink, and adopt cowardly
and evssiye tactics in order to gain
power. They are to discard their mar
ly leader, William J. Bryan, the most
honest and incorruptible prominent
man of this age. and take up some po'
litical trimmer who will shape
his opinions to catch birds OF
every feather" and then 60 into the
White House with colorless opinions.
ready to sign even free coinage Dill Ii
Congress passes one, but not ready TO
d, clare himself one way or the other
while the canvass is proceeding which
is to determine the judgment Of the
American voters. Mr.. Morgan thinks
that such man, like Mr.. Facing both-
ways in Pilgrims Progress, could be
elected President by the democrats.
He ig utterly mistaken. The demo-
cratic party is not party of trickery,
evasion and cowardice. 1t is ready
a nd resolute to declare the truth in a
political fight and to stand or fall by it..
The democrats do not want to regain
political power by hiding under false
colors and coakipg their real purposes.
They are for free coinage and the Chi
cago platform. and for nominating
their captain, VIM. J. Bryan, who is
not afraid to declare where he STANDS.
Mr.. Morgan says the Northern and
Eastern democrats are opposed to this
policy. He knows little or nothing
about it. The democratic masses OF
the East, of New England, New York
and Pennsylvania, are for Bryan. A few
conspirators there are indeed against
him, but they are as nothing compared
with the democratic masses. Witness
how the conspirstors broke down at
the Tammany Hail 4sh of July celebra-
ton the other day, when the crowd
shouted loudly and long for Bry.
an. We can tell Mr.. Morgan
that the democratic party is full OF
Eight ardas ready for battle as it was in
the days OF Jackson and Jefferson. II
is marching on to battle, and to
victory. If Mr.. Morgan's heart has
failed him, let him GO quietly to the
rear. The democratic hosts will march
on, and foremost in the column Will be
the gallant State of Alabama that so
bravely led of at Chicago in 1896. Mr..
Morgan has been brave and true on this
question in the past, end able as we'll
but he is wholly out of touch with the
public pulse, snd now does not realize
the revulsion from republican policies
which is rapidly spreading over the land.
He may like Mr.. Mckinley person
ally, but the administration is doomed.
9fr. Morgan says the democratic ad-
herence to the Chicago platform is
e'faneticism." That is sorry epitbet
to come from him, but we pass it by.
We can tell hins this--that fanaticism-
supreme devotion to noble cause like
Christianity and democracy has Won
many triumpbs, Throughout all history,
out the policy of evasion snd cowardice
in politics will never stir the hearts OF
our own people, and will lead in the
future, as in the past, not only to
crushing defeat but lasting dishonor.
The unterri6ed democracy will none OF
it. An old Confederate soldier ought
to know this without our having to tell
him So