Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-09-15
NOW is THE TIME.
PUBLIC ExIGENCY PRESENTS DE-
MOCRACY'S OPPORTUNITY.

A Widespread Feeling Of Discomfort which
Change May Relieve-Eyes are Turned To.
wards Democracy with Hope-Unity Of the
Party Means Success-The Chicago Platform
aConservative Expression Of Popular Opin.
ion--The Issue Of the Day is Freedom or
Conquest. Popular Government or Assres.
sion in Foreign Lands.
In an editorial in the Constitution
Mr.. Clark Howell says, under the
heading Democracy and its Opportu-
nity:"
There is a general, widespread
feeling that in the campaign of next
year the Democratic party will be
given an opportunity to redeem the
Government from the evils of Repub-
lican misrule. This feeling is not con-
fined to any section of the country
nor to any class, but seems to perme-
ate all sections and all classes, mani
testing itself in newspaper publica-
tions, in the casual utterances of pub
lie men and in private conversation.
No satisfactory explanation or descrip-
ton of it can be given further than to
say that on all sides and in every di-
rection there is expectation of a
change. 1t is the feeling which takes
possession of an army on the eve of a
great movement, and which leads the
rank and file to prepare for a march
even before their immediate leaders
have received orders to that effect.
One of the results of this feeling,
which we have indicated rather than
described, is desire to promote and
bring about that harmony among
Democrats which is essential to
unity of purpose, and which is as de-
sirable in political organization as it
is in an army engaged in an active
campaign against an enemy. Real
harmony not only adds to the energy
and enthusiasm of the party itself, but
makes its movements more imposing
and attractive to those who are
swayed to and fro between the two op-
posing forces in politics by considera-
ton of a personal or particular
character. This is why party leaders
deem real unity SO essential. 1t ex-
cites the imagination OF those who
have no fixed principles and attracts
their support.
The situation, indeed, in all respects
is such as to excite the attention OF
all who are interested in preserving
the character OF our institutions, and
from whatever direction it is viewed, it
is powerful incentive to harmonious
action among those who believe in
Democratic principles and Democratic
institutions.
Let it be said, however, that, so far
as the Filipino war is concerned, we
do not protest against its prosecution.
1t could and would have been avoided
by clear and positive declaration of
policy in accordance with American
ideas; but now that it has been pre-
cipitated, it should be carried vigor-
ously to a conclusion. The Filipinos
attacked the flag in ignorance OF
American purposes, but in all ages
men have had to pay dearly for Ger
tain forms OF ignorance. The Filipi-
nos are paying the price of it now,
and will continue to do go as long as
they are in arms against that flag
which, to them, as we'll as to our own
people, should stand for the symbol of
freedom.
We consider that the situation as it
stands is not only call to Democratic
unity and harmony, but presents an
opportunity for victory which it
would be the EXTREMIST folly to ignore.
Surely there can be no more virtual
issue brought to the attention of the
people of this country than the ques-
ton whether the flag of the Union
under the Constitution is to continue
to be the symbol of freedom and pop.
ular government, or whether it is to
stand for conquest and aggression in
foreign lands. If this subversion OF
the national symbol is to 60 on with
70 resistance on the part of the Or
ganization which has dedicated itself
to the defence OF the cardinal doc
triues embodied in our organic law
and in our institutions, with what suc-
cess will they be able to cope with do
mestic policies based on this precedent
in the Orient?
Will it be said that the financial
question stands in the way of that per-
feet Democratic unity which the situ-
alton demands-that the Chicago
platform is an obstacle? Well, that
platform was made by the people; as
their handiwork it has borne the test
of discussion; and it will stand as the
declaration of remedies for political
evils which are as potent now rs they
were in 1896. If there are those who
demand that these declarations be ig.
nored or repudiated, there are also
those who will urge that the party 60
still further in 1890 than it did in
1896. Between these two extremes
the platform itself stands as basis Of
compromise. The party has no call
either to repudiate it or to amend it