The record-union., 1899-10-28
A PARTY REVERSES ITSELF.

A PARTY REvERSES ITSELF.
The "Oregonian" makes some excel
lent points when it declares in the
course of an elaborate review that the
Democratic party has abandoned its
last plank. Once 1T stood like a stone
wall against cheap money and curren-
cy debasement; It was in that position
under Jefferson. Under Jackson it
legislated to prevent an overvalued
metal from driving out an underYalued
metal of coinage. Under Pierce it in
troduced the system Of minting frac-
tonal coins of less metal value than
the token value-in short, the time was
when the Democratic party was a
sound money party.
1t was at one time the party Of ex-
pansion also, and of national growth.
and under it Florida and the Louisiana
territory were acquired. 1t accepted
Texas and acquiesced in the results
which gave US our fair possessions on
this coast. But all these things and poll
icies were before "Coin" Harvey and
w. ]. Bryan captured the party and
turned It from its course. Nor will it
be forgotten that there was a time in
the sixtieth decade Of the century the
Democratic party was so far an ex-
pansion party, that 1t was the advo-
cate Of annexation of Cuba, and in 1856
it elected a President who was an
open, pronounced and enthusiastic
champion OF such a policy 1t was
Mr.. Buchanan who said:
If I can be instrumental in settling
the slavery question upon the terms I
nave mentioned, and then add Cuba to
the Union, / shall, If President, be will
ing't to give up the ghost, and let Breck-
lnrldge take the Government
In 1850 the party in National Con-
vention assembled, adopted this reso-
luton without a single vote Of dissent:
Resolved, That the Democratic
party are in favor OF the acquisition
of the island Of Cuba, on such terms
as shall be honorable to ourselves and
just to Spain.
But now under the dictation Of Mr..
Bryan who has crept into "the ssats
of the mighty" the party is asked to
and does repudiate it's traditions and
declared policy and presents itself as an
anti-expansion influence. Neither in
1856 nor in 1860, did the party in its
preachment of expansion have a single
word to say about the consent Of the
governed. 1t was not even suggested
that the Cubans should be consulted
as 10 their desires in the premises. 1t
was simply proposed to take Cuba by
purchase, but secretly it was under
stood that If necessary we were in some
way to recognize an insurrectionary
party in the island as representing the
whole people and with it set UP the
authority Of the United states in the
gem Of the Antilles despite Spain. What
the party then said concerning Cuba
fits exactly the case Of the Philippines
to-day, with the single exception that
the insurrectionary force is in arms
against US instead of Spain.
Thus the Democratic party under the
leadership Of Mr.. Bryan has abandoned
the last of its planks, If we except free
trade, though the tariff will not be
much in issue in the coming campaign.
reverses it's traditions and fills the air
with announcement Of that which it
once approved and advocated.
The Record Union" supports George
II. Clark for Mayor, not alone because
he is the nominee OF the Republican
party. though the success of that party
in the approaching municipal election Is
OF National Importance. His election is
advocated also because of the conVic-
ton that it is the best thing for the
city. We'want a successful young bus
mess man at the head Of municipal af-
fairs at this time. Mr.. Clark fills that
bill. He has the capacity the cour-
age and the progressiveness. Besides
being the head of the Republican tick
ct, therefore, he is representative
young business man and will bring to
the discharge Of the duties of the office
the energy. ambition and experience
that are needed.
Mr.. Cleveland declares that he is op-
posed to the employment of force in the
extension OF American Institutions. So i?
Let us see. Who used force in 1776?
Who used force when General Clark
marched into the west and attached
Illinois to the Union? What was sug-
gested but force when Congress threat
ened France with war for closing the