The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-12-30
DISSOLUTION OF DEMOCRATS
A Party without a Mission beyond
Creating Pubiic Dis
trust.

There is a growing conviction in the
consciousness of certain of the party
leaders in various states that the dem
ocratic party is suffering from some
mysterious disorder. They detect a
falling off in the vote not calculated to
sustain confidence in the outcome of
future campaigns. Inquiry is being
instituted with hope of getting at the
source of evil. The knowledge that
there is something radically wrong
with the present party management is
general, but multiplicity of diagnoses
creates confusion as to the cause and
cure.
And yet it is not matter of difficult
solution when intelligently considered
The party that originates nothing in
progressive practice and holds light
~ all allegiance to established princi-
PIES offering naugbt itself and oppos-
ing with unreasoning prejudice all Of
benefit to humanity and national adj
vancement set forth by others, is with
out element of cohesion, and, in the very
nature of the case fosters division and
incites dissolution. Why should the
people continue in support of party
policy that not only ignores the doc
trines tbat gave it being, retires the
leadership that made it of power. but
deliberately and determinedly labors
to convulse the Industrial, commercial
and trade interests of the country, de-
grade its currency and impoverish its
labor?
A party whose mission is the con-
fusing of all these conditions through
which comes peaceful employment in
profitable pursuits is inmical to the
interests of every class of citizenship.
1t drives capital into hiding and robs
labor of employment, silences the hum
of industry's wheels, quenches the fac
tory fires and stagnates every avenue
of production. The army of industry
the purchaser and the seller, the pro-
ducor and the consumer, the man who
furnishes the means and the man who
furnishes the muscles, perforce Of
pure self-defense, responsive to the first
law of nature, self-preservation, ar
rayed against any such party and any
such policy.
That is true both as specific and
general proposition. 1t applies in the
present as it has applied in the past,
as it will apply in the future. That has
always been against the democratic or
ganization. 1t is more so now than
ever. This, because the policy is urged
more pronouncedly now than ever and
because the people are becoming more
and more awakened to comprehension
of this, its condition. But, in addition,
just now there is further specific rea-
son for democratic disintegration upon
present issue of vital public moment.
The loyal people of the greatest re-
public on earth will support no party
that does not sustain the government
and the flag when involved in war. Nor
will they accept, with feelings Of ap-
proval, n presidential candidate in de-
clared sympathy with the leader and
the movement, in suppression of whose
attack upon the flag the sons of Amer
lea are fighting to the death in the
pursuance of duty that in bravery
they may not otherwise discourage and
in manhood they may not shirk
Are not these sufficient reasons for
desertion by the voters of the demo-
cratic party-a party, as now consti-
tuted-that stands for all that is vicious
in public policy, bereft of principles
and devoid of leadership?
Under Jefferson, its founder, the dem
ocratic party became power and held
unbroken mastery for over half CEN
fury. So long as it was loyal to honest
government sound money, national pro-
gression and the flag, it was SUI
preme. Then its leaders forgot their
allegiance, precipitated civil strife, suf-
fered conquest at arms, following over
whelmng defeat at the polls, and for
years ceased to be factor in national
government. Led by Cleveland, who
was out Of sympathy with its most
vicious vagaries, although for expedi-
enjoys sake swallowing some, and
aided by misrepresentation and miscon-
ception, it came forward once more for
n brief spell of popular favor. And
then came revolution in its own ranks,
caused by its incomptency in the con-
duct Of public affairs, by which came
business revulsions and industrial pros
tration.
After that, what?
Bryan, with reputation, anarchy and
an aggravated assortment of isms. out
of which was born popocracy as sab
stitute for democracy.
Is it any wonder such party is suf-
fering detection of voters? In common
reason, could there be any other re-
suit ?-Cincinnat Commercial Tribune.
Hot shot from n Democrat.