The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-03-29
The Outlook in National Politics.

future. The formal opening Of the
national canvass of that year will ex-
tend some months into the year 1900;
but rumblings of Incorporating con-
test begin to be heard, and some of the
forces are maneuvering for positions of
advantage. OF the present condition
of one of the political parties tosthe
contest of 1900 candid Democrat
ought to be judge, and his opinion
entitled to respect. The Brooklyn
Eagle is Democratic paper of high
ability aud its judgments have the re-
spect of men who are not led, or who
are not wholly blinded, by partizan-
ship. Here is what the Eagle says Of
the present status and prospects of the
Republican party;
One of the two great parties is virtually
incapacitated for national service. 1t is
hopelessly demoralized and divided. Moth
ing of the kind can, on the other hand, be
said of the party in power. 1t will send to
the polls next year candidates who have
established substantial claims upon popu-
lar consideration. There is little doubt
that the country's prosperity will survive
the next presidential fight. The trade bal
ance in our favor will be larger than ever,
business will be booming in ever state and
the Republicans will contend with not a
little show Of reason that some OF the credit
for all this should figure in their political
accounts. They will also include among
their assets the happy consequences of the
war with Spain and the maintainence Of
every dollar at par with every other dollar.
The platform can be anticipated. 1t will
contain glittering illusions to the triumph
of American arms, the unalterable determ-
nation of the United States honorably to
fulfill all of its financial obligations and the
absence of hard times. To this extent at
least the structure WILL so to speak, be bull
let proof. Long before its preparation has
begun Aguinaldo and his followers will
have had enough Of fight and it will be pos
sible for the party to make equally glowing
illusions to the achievements supplement-
ing the defeat of Montojo. So there is moth
ing far fetched about the supposition that
one Of the national conventions next year
will be other than a bowling wilderness.
AupAc 10 WARRANT iOl Lub SlhbbubuI IudJ
the people Of the United States will not re-
pudiate any Of their financial obligations.
There is almost as much warrant for the
statement that they favor expansion. 1t is
probable that their sentiments on these
subjects will find expression only in the
convention called to order under Republi-
can auspices. Sound money Democrats
may construct platform on their own &C.
count as they did in '96, but in other d.
rections they must necessarily take issue
with the Republicans, or join them in
body The party in power is con-
fronted by few perplexities. Its policy can
not be seriously debated. 1t practically
outlines itself, and he is pessimistic Re-
publican who has any doubts as to the
character OF its reception at the polls.
This statement of the Republican
situation ought TO be satisfactory to the
most optimistic member of that party
1t would, indeed, be difficult for very
pessimistic Republican to show that
the Eagles statement is not justified
by the conditions existing in his party,
not to mention the generalization
prevalent in the ranks of its chief an
tagonist of 1896. The evident dissen-
sion among the Democrats has all along
been as plain as church by daylight,
but some of its fruits are beginning to
ripen. A meeting was recently held
in the city of New York, at which, in
view of the evident fact that the Demo-
cratic organization is unfit for service
in another national canvass, move
ment was instituted for the forma-
ton of third party. The elements
represented were the following:
"The Social Democracy the Brotherhood |
of Man, the League for Political Progress,
the American Federation of Labor, the |
Knights of Labor, the Socialst.Labor Party
and the Single Takers"
Between Debs, the extremist, and |
DIR. Rainsford, the opportunist, every
shade of reform and agitation was rep
resented. Apprehension was ex-
pressed that some combination of the |
national Democracy would be made to
beat Bryan. So a resolution was
adopted for the appointment of COM
mittee to draft an appeal to the people
of the United States, and call for a
conference for organizing a new party,
or, as the resolution expressed it, "for
formulating plan for unified action at
the polls" Schemes of this kind will
come and 60, but this one is chiefly
important as illustrating the tendency
to disintegration in the ranks of the
party of the Democracy.
Another sign of ripening dissention
is seen in the strife of the dinners. In
New York. Just now 10 to is a m -
potent slogan than 16 to /. Iptriguers
against the Chicago platform, with
Tammany to lead, have bid the Demo.
cratic chiefs to dinner at $40 a plate.
This is 30 great an affront to "Jefferso-