The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-16
PARTY AND PRINCIPLE.

II Is never safe 20 make political proc.
phccies. for even the wlsest prophets are
often at fault when they try TO forecast
the result Of elections which lay strong
hold on the conscience and heart of the
people. There is no certain means of ass
certaining what the people as whole
think OF feel on any subject. The rea-
son is not far 20 seek. for % paraphrase
Mr. Lincoln's celebrated saying. "You
can question some Of The people some Of
the time, but you can't question all the
people all the time
The people never give that final and
definite answer until after the election
and then the prophecies are ancient his
tory, and the prophet who spoke smooth
things. saying Peace Peace" when
there was no peace, will wake 20 find him
self a by-word. So likewise the party
that seeks 90 find out what the people
want at that instant and disregards the
broad principles that have hitherto guided
its policy will inevitably come TO the Bit
ter end that awaits an opportunists.
Craftsmanship like any business ven
ture consists I'm dcvising the best means
for attaining the ends i'm view. The
statesman desires above all else to sec
the people happy and contented; the af-
fairs Of State administered wisely, and
20 this end ne proposes plans of govern
ment that be thinks will give this result
Perhaps he may believe in Free Trade or
Protection. I'm Gold or Free Silver, in eco
nomical expenditures, or in lavish pen-
sons but so long as he is guided 10y prin-
ciple he is at least trying to act like
statesman. and not Ike "a politician.
What business man would think OF try
ing TO conduct his business by simply
discrediting the efforts of his compct-
tors without trying TO offer better in-
ducements TO the public TO deal with him?
And the same rule applies TO parties.
The Democratic party, despite its wander
ings In 1896. despite its struggle against
the enormous influence from Tarn and
Pensions which tho Republican party con-
troned. has heretofore stood for p~incl-
pies and has not set its sail TO catch the
passing wind of popular fancy
Those principles on which the Demo-
cratic party rested prior 20 1886 were
strong and secure. III truth conquers i'm
the end. II the best form of government
is that which governs least then the Dem
ocrauc party viii inevitably come into
control sooner or later. But no party
can Join two inconsistent propositions and
hope TO succeed ass am exponent Of prin-
ciple No party can say that men should
be governed as Tar as possible in accord
ance with laws which nature shows TO
be correct and trt.s and al the same time
seek 10 traverse those laws by legislative
enactment II experience teaches any.
thing it shows that prosperity SIS not de-
pendent on free silver. The great pros
perity which this country has enjoyed in
the last year and which it bids fair TO en-
JOY for some years 10 come is attrbu-
table 10 nothing more than to restored
confidence, and If giving mp the present
standard Of value viii shake and impair
this confidence then all experience goes
10 show that such change is thcorouc.
ally and practically unwise. According
10 the true Democratic doctrine there are
100 many vital principles which are being
ignored and wontonly broken every day.
and which cry aloud for q champion, for
the Democratic party 20 pass them by
and take up as It's sole issue the financial
propositions that led IL TO defeat In 1896.
Political theories are as much the subject
OF evolution as anything else. and when
the march OF events shows that theory
IS untenable or unwlse It Is .he part Of
ststesmanship and wisdom 20 lay that
theory aside and TO take up the newer
and more pressing needs. surely with
tariff reforms. with pensions. with the
growing weight Of duties towards depeu-
dent colonies. the Democratic party viii
have enough to do, and IN seeking 70 do
that obvious work It will gather TO itself
again all those who were estrangcd by
the departure OF the party In 1876 from
the principles that had previously sov-
ernod It's counsels
We DO not presume 10 prophecy az 10
1900 We do not say that this or that
will be the paramount issue, though in all