Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-27
TWELVE PAGES
TUESDAY. JUNE q. 1899.
"OPEN TO PROPOSALS.

In American politics. Democracy and
Republicanism are very definite and
distinct things to all honest and intel
ligent men, though to q knave they are
as difficult to distinguish as meum and
tuum- Democracy was founded with
the Republic In independent States and
q free people; and even at that day
the Federal trust or combine sought to
assert supremacy and monopoly or
loyalty and power that tended to i'm
perialism instead OF popular rule. or the
will OF the majority.
This original and underlying differ
ence in principle and sentiments begat
a difference in policy. which can be
clearly traced through our public life
until 1t eliminated In WARRIOR, though
slavery was the bone OF contention, the
war itself could never have occurred
but for the Fundamental! and irrecon-
cilnble dlvergences as to the right con-
struction of the Federal compact
The subject is too great to be con-
sidered here. except in this brief allu-
sion: yet the allusion suffices to show
that American parties have something
more in them than mere names. or local
interests or prejudices. or battle-cries,
or temporary Issues to parade In plat
forms From the first days of our gov
eminent to this moment, our thought
full people have been Democratic or
Federalist. with equal honesty and
patriotism, and with each side sufficient
to attach the profoundest thoughts and
the highest feelings of men and parties.
This attachment. especially when ex-
hibited by a journal, is adjudged by the
superficial to be partizanry. though
founded in conviction, and the same
Judges superciliously confound the
faithful adherents of what they hold to
be right and truth, with the partisans
who bear the same name. but only by
Inheritance. or by some toss-u2 Of
chance and whim, or interest. But par
ties may be aptly likened to oceans in
q great many particulars. but chiefly
in this, that though foul. frothy. shall
low and choked with dirt and trash
where they wash the shore. they are
deep. steady and pure in their centres
una main DOUlcS-rlSlnE anu ldlllIts W
the throb OF great hearts
Why, then, should not n true man be
proud to proclaim, II am a Republi-
cant" or, II am Democrat!" and
verify the proclamation by n consistent
life. full OF illustrative deeds that only
prove the steadfast faith that fills his
soul? Is the weather-cock the proper
figure of the citizen. turned hither or
yon by every wind, everything by
starts. and nothing long, to-day for
this. tomorrow for that. unstable. I'M
reliable.-constant apparently to moth
ing but an overweaning yearning to at
tract notoriety, or to be on the winning
Hide?" Pah! This hanging in the wind
marks lamcntable degeneracy in men,
not in parties and principles; and if a
man or a paper is really once Demo-
cratic. or once Republican, there is no
likelihood Of any fundamental variance
though occasions may and 90 occur
where a temporary policy may justly
demand support, il it do not conflict
with or endanger the principles OF
political allegiance.
There Is no man more contemplate
than he who holds himself or his
paper, up before the public as undecid-
ed and "open to conviction" At once
( all eyes seek the opening in the direc-
tion OF his pocket. and IL 1t be invisible
there. It Is because it has been cum