Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1899-08-09
DEMORALIZED HOPELESSLY.
The Democracy L. - Crumbiing Party
with "A Self-Dcxtroying
Policy.

n.
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
aNow their membership in the demo
cratic party. The former comptroller
calls attention to the fact that in the
present leadership of the democratic
party there is not a name that COM
mands national respect. The party is in
the hands of an aggregation of little
men of small repute. lie might have
added that not democrat who i'm past
years has given fame to his party
would have consented to be allied with
such hghtweights as now usurp the CON
troll OF that party. OF the democratic
party of to-day MIR. Eckels saws:
II mas rot row, and II cannot gain the
confidence OF any considerable part of the
conservative elements OF the country rs
long as IL has a leadership preach ng dis
content and engcpGcrinE class hatred
With the present leadership no matter how
wise platform might bc adopted nothing
would be gained. 40 party can come into
y
ers OF IL In every local community almost
lacking the confidence OF al who make up
the business part o. such community. Ii
Will be found on iuVestlf,ation that from
national politics down to local no one Is
taking an interest in democratic affairs
who is making a living outside of the pale
OF politics. OF course. no party will be in
trusted with the conduct OF important gov
ernmentai affairs which commands the
services of party politicians only. II must
be willing now and then at least to pay
attention to the advice OF those who have
some property interests at stake, and IL
must he 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
he large or small. Those who map out it's
policy are making the serious mistake OF
counting the number OF diacCntenttd OF
the country 10 be larger than that Of the
contented. This is The basis and the blum
der OF demagogiSm always"
SuchapoIicy already has proved itself
self-dcstructiye. Mr.. Eckels need not
lay great claim To prophecy TO be able to
say safely that the disaster of 500 will
be repeated in 1900. OF the dcmagoguish
obstinacy and its sure result Mr.. Eckels
says:
The very fact that free coinage OF sill
YER is announced az again TO be the chief
democratic issue of 1850. despite the dead
ness of II. must convince every thCughtful
democrat OF the sham and pretense of
| those who lead the party. These leaders
must know that they cannot even COM
mand respectful hearing upon that phase
| of the Chicago platform, much less win
| the election. They hold to IL Simply be-
cause II IL he most convenient rllyiug
| cry TO bring together the elements OF dis
| content to which they plGdcr. They have
turned the party over 20 socialism, ard
| made II helpless for public good"
4. 4. 1
for itself in the loss of political pres
tige. The democratic critic of the dem
ocratic party says:
Since the advent OF the sentimental
| rhetoric OF Mr.. Bryan ard the cunning and
| perverted intellect of Mr.. Alleged as con-
| trolling forces In the party's councils
| democrats have seen every democra tic
| United States senator in the north but one
| ana he from the state OF Montana lost
and In addition two senators from West
| Virginia two from Maryland and one
| from Ketucky and Delaware Illinois Indi-
ana, New York. New Jersey, Ohio Wscon-
| sin, Connecticut and Delaware have all been
| driven from the party. There is not "A
| single democratic governor north OF Ma
| son and DiXon's line. The governors OF
| Minnesota and Montana are populists."
The result of the freak performance
at Chicago, when Bryan broke loose and
the democratic party rendered him II
quitclaim deed, is expressed in forciblc
contrast by MIR. Eckels. The party got
!5ryan, 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 Of pub
lie questions; Mr.. Bryan, with his delight
in preaching discomfort. arraying cass
| against class no matter how honest he
| may be with IL all. can never commend
himself 10 a people whose common sense
always az the critical time asserts itself.
But this is what the party lost:
THE result Of the leadership OF the dem
ocratic party as to-day constituted ard the
| principles advocated in Tie platform TO the
party. ] think. may very properly be-
| summed up follows:
| "First-The party given over to social
| ism In principles, leadership and following.
| with the consequent result OF loss IN bot n
| leadership and following Of all the bust
ness and Independent elements OF the coun-
try.
"second-The falling away OF the organl-
| "a ton as a national one. and the making
| OF 70 almost wholly a local one bent on.y
on obtaining local standing and local Of
| fees.
''Third-The elimination OF It as force
| In the north and the lessening Of ~ inn
| portance in the south.
| "Fourth-The population by II OF all
! democratic principles. history and teach
| ing concerning the money question, the
| tariff. the country and the making possible
| for political bastardy TO claim democratic
pdrcutaEe.
"sixth-Thc deprivng the country Of the
| bencncent effects OF a strong. intellectual.
| conservative opposition party at 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 II
| the democratic party stood for something
more than mere agitation and opposition"
Democrats who are loyal 10 the tradi-
| tons Of democracy once had party
| Where is the party now? As Mr.. Eckels
predicts. the election Of 1900 will answer
that question. Troy Times.
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