The diamond drill., 1899-08-12
DEMoRALIzED HopEl RssLY.
The Democracy IL "A Crumbiins Party
with y self-Destroytng
sM Policy.

who was comptroller of the currency
In the second Cleveland administration,
has been giving the New York Times
his views of the democratic party of to-
day. Mr.. Eckels was one of the oracles
of his party few years ago, and his
views will be of interest not only be-
cause they are justified by the apparent
facts, but because he speaks the opinion
OF many who once did not hesitate TO
ayow their membership in the demo-
cratic party. The former comptroller
calls attention 10 the fact that in the
present leadership of the democratic
party there is not name that COM
mands national respect. The party is in
the hands of an aggregation of little
men Of small repute. He might have
added that not n democrat who in past
years has given fame 10 his party
would have consented 10 be allied with
such lightweights as now usurp the con-
troll of that party. OF the democratic
party of to-day Mr.. Eckels says:
1T has not now, and II cannot gain. thu
confidence OF any considerable part OF the
| conservative elements OF the country as
| long as II has leadership preaching dis
! content and engendering class hatred.
| With the present leadership no matter how
wise platform might be adopted. nothing
would be gained. No party can come into
| power which, on analysis shows the lead
ers OF II In every local community almost
| lacking the confidence OF all who make up
! the business part OF such community. IL
Will be found cn investigation that from
national politics down 10 local no one Is
| taking an interest In democratic affairs
who IS making living outside OF the pale
! or politics. OF course, no party Will be in
| trusted with the conduct OF important gov
| ernmental affairs which commands the
services OF party politicians only. IL must
/ be willing now and then at least 20 pay
attention 10 the advice OF those who have
some property interests az stake, and II
| must be able to have their respect and
! confidence. The struggle which democracy
IS now making seems TO have as It's sole
object the driving away or all who own
| property, no matter whether the amount
! be large or small Those who map out its
policy are making the serious mistake of
/ counting the number OF dlscontentcd or
the country 70 be larger than that OF the
oontented This is the basis and the blum
der OF demagogism always"
Suchapolicy already has proved itself
self-destructiye. Mr.. EcLes need not
lay great claim 20 prophecy 10 be able TO
say safely that the disaster of 1896 will
berepeated in 1900. or the dcmagoguish
i ObaAlhdNN anu It's Suic itSuil MT. f.theiS
says.
"The very fact that free coinage OF sill
i YER Is announced as again 10 be the chief
democratic issue or 1860. despite the dead
/ ness OF H. must convince every thoughtful
i democrat OF the sham and pretense OF
those who lead the party. These leaders
must know that they cannot even COM
mand a respectful hearing upon that phase
OF the Chicago platform. much less win
| the election. They hold 20 II simply be-
cause Il IL the most convenient rallying
cry 10 bring together the elements OF dis
content 10 which they pander They have
turned the party over 10 socialism, and
made Il helpless for public good"
The crumbling OF the party speaks
for itself in the loss of political pres
tige. The democratic critic OF the dem
ocratic party says:
"Slnce the advent OF the sentimental
rhetoric of Mr.. Bryan and the cunning and
perverted intellect OF Mr. Altgeld as con-
! trolling forces IN the party's councils
democrats have seen every democratic
/ United States senator in the north but one.
and he from the state OF Montana, lost.
and IN addition two senator's from West
4 Virginia, two from Maryland and one
! from ketucky and Delaware Illinois. Indi-
ana, New York. New Jersey, Ohio. Wlscon-
sin, Conrecticutand Delaware have all been
\ driven FROM tho party. There ~ not a
single democratic governor north OF Ma
son ana DlXons line. The governors or
Minnesota and Montana are populists"
The result of the freak performance
at Chicago, when Bryan broke loose and
the democratic party rendered him a
| quitclaim deed, is expressed in forcible
contrast by Mr.. Eckels. The party got
Bryan, who is described as follows:
"Mr. Bryan. with his too apparent eager
ness to gain the presidential office. and his
want OF any employment outside OF poll
tics, coupled with his lack OF profound
thought. and surface knowledge or pub
lie questions Mr. Bryan. with his delight
IN preaching discomfort. arraying class
against class, no matter how honest no
may be with Il ALL can never commend
| himself TO a people whose common sense
always at the critical time asserts itself.
But this is what the party lost:
THE result OF the leadership OF the DEM
ocratic party az to-day constituted ard tho
| principles advocated IA the platform TO the
party | think, may very properly DO
summed up as follows:
"First-The party given over 10 social
Ism In principles, leadership and following,
with the consequent result OF loss In both
leadership and following OF all the busi-
ness and Independent elements OF the coun-
try
"socond-The falling away OF the organi-
ration as a national one. and the making
OF ~ almost wholly local one bent only
on obtaining local standing and local Of
fees
"ThIrd-The elimination OF II as a force
In the north and the lessening OF its Inn
portance In the south.
"Fourth-The population by II OF all
democratic principles. history and teach
ing concerning the money question, ths
tariff, The country and the making possible
for political bastardy TO claim democratic
parcntage.
"Sixth-Thc depriving the country OF tho
benefi effects OF n strong, intellectual.
conservative opposition party at a time
when grave questions OF public policy. far
reaching IN their effects are being dealt
with by the party In power. without the
restraining influence that would follow IL
the democratic party stood for something
more than mere agitation and opposition"
Democrats who are loyal TO the tradi-
tions OF democracy once had n party.
Where Is the party now? AS Mr. Eckels
predicts, the election OF 1900 will answer