The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-04-15
A POLICY WANTED.
The Democrats Are Feeling Around
for Something to
stand On.

With little more than year before
the next national convention of the
democratic party it is necessary to do
something to provide platform on
which may stand what remains of that
party. Senator Jones, of Arkansas,
says that the next national convention
must affirm the Chicago platform of
1896. Mr.. Croker says just the other
thing, and the democrats of New York
state at their last convention practical
ly disowned Organism and all its
works. The colonel of the Third Ne
braska is opposed to accepting the re-
suits of the war in national growth. But
other democrats who were leaders of
the party before Bryan was voter,
say that it will not do to repeat the
declaration of the national democratic
convention in 1864 that "the war is a
failure"
The hope of minority party in con-
gress is in unity in the expectation of
discussions in the dominant party, and
the consequent opportunity for insert
ing disrupting wedge. But these con-
ditions have been exactly reversed in
the present congress. The republican
party has been united in the support of
the war and peace policies initiated
with so much wisdom by President Nc
Kinley. On the other hand, the demo
Gratis have been unable to agree on any
important question before the public.
The democrats have not been able even
to obstruct. The party has collapsed
in the ring, and has not had strength
enough to answer the call of Time.
The very fact that the democrats OF
the house have called a caucus in the
last week of the session to determine
the policy of the party with regard to
the Philippines witnesses to the fact
that the party has been without a
policy on the floor of the house. 1t is
an attempt to substitute a caucus die
tum for public action, and to 60 out OF
congressional halls and before the
people with a statement of what might
have been done instead of a record of
performance. The deathbed protesta-
ton IF l had my life to live over
again" does not alter the verdict of his
tory on the individuals record Fail
ures are not the best credentials to
confidence.
The democrats in congress have been
badly led. In fact, the party has
seemed at times unable to decide who
was its leader, and the republican
party has been compelled to settle the
matter. Bailey, of Texas, is young
man who has oratorical capacity. but
who lacks entirely the tact and discre.
ton necessary to successful leadership
He has suffered singing humiliations
in the camp of his alleged followers.
Whatever the democrats may dc
will be better left undone, be
cause the purpose is to unite upon g
negative policy, and this is time for
affirmation. The position of the mi
nority party in this country parallels
that of the similar party in England
/
decision and general nervelessness
The dominant party has shown the
courage, the promptness, the capacity
todealwith new problems as they arise
and has strengthened itself with the
country, which demands deeds and not
words.
The republican party has stood to its
guns. It has completed where it has
begun. 1t has put another successful
war for humanity to the credit of a re.
publican administration. 1t has car.
ried on in the spirit of the founders Of
the party and in line with the acts and
proclamations of their successors the
duty to fulfill American destiny. In the
face of such fidelity and success demo.
cratic promulgations after the battle
are merely curiosities of literature
They are confessions that the future OF
free silver has been followed by the
failure of stunted Americanism. Troy
Times.