Iron County register., 1899-08-24
DEMocRAcY,s OPPORTUNITY.
A Time for Wisdom and Counsel
and the Consolidation OF
the Party,

That hope which beats eternal in
the human breast is concomitant of
democratic faith. A long lease OF
| power, ably and discreetly exercised
| through the formative period of our ma
| tional existence, and until long after
| the experimental stage of our institu-
| tions was passed, gave way to a series
| of reverses no less remarkable. De-
mocracy has had a comparatively small
part in the direction of public affairs
since 1860, yet it has never thought of
| abandoning organization, has never
| failed TO make a stubborn fight for
| supremacy, and has never relnquished
| the underlying principles of its politi-
| cal creed. The inherent vitality of a
party that can thus rise confident and
defiant from continued defeats is such
as to insure success if 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
ership and Of generalship. Instead of
massing strength forces have been scat
tered and divided against themselves.
There is a lack of tolerance within the
party, a failure to bear and forbear,
TO modify individual and factional opin-
ions so as to reach such an avowal OF
principles as will receive loyal and con-
scientious support from all. With this
concessionary spirit prevailing the
democrats have one of the finest fight
ing opportunities presented them N
half a century.
Merely for the sake of presenting
this view of the case in its strongest
light. assume that it would be right TO
bring our financial system under the
dominion of those favoring free silver.
It is the evidence of one attempt and
the conviction of the shrewdest politi-
cal prophets that the thing cannot be
done. Nothing is more certain than
that the forcing of this issue in the
campaign would lose the support of
many who are antagonistic to the re-
publican party in its present attitude.
Why, then, commit the folly of max
ing it an instrument of party defeat?
Why ALLEVIATE an element of strength
that might insure 4 victory in the next
national contest? AS has been said
by an ex-United States senator, who
supported Bryan: THE silver ques-
ton is not the only issue which con-
fronts the American people. 1t is not
even the most important one, and the
statement is truer now than when he
made It.
The imperial policy of the administra-
ton, the unprecedented reign of trusts
and the underlying principles of democ-
racy as bearing upon the problem OF
the best popular government, should
inspire a platform particularly accept
able TO the masses, and if it is not pro-
vided them. without the financial plank
TO which they cannot subscribe, the
cnus of defeat and the continuance OF
current misrule Will be charged TO the
platform makers. 1t is a time for wis
dom in council, and the men Of the
party should address themselves seri-
ously to this question of securing an
army that will give triumph TO their
cause. 1t is clearly choice between
sacrificing everything or gaining the
much that seems inable.-Detroit
Free Press.