The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-28
The Shadow OF 1854.

The Democratic platforms for the State
elections In November. In the tone and
spirit OF their declarations concerning our
maintenance OF sovereignty in the Philip
pines, recall the Copperhead utterances OF
that party in 1854. So close Is the resem-
blance that the printed declarations OF that
day could be utilized with few changes for
present platform requirements.
Whether the protest OF tho Democratic
Convention, is in the mild and pacific
phrase OF the Maryland Democrats. in
favor OF the "time-honored doctrine Of
peace. commerce and honest friendship to
all nations" or in the resolution adopted by
the Democrats OF Ohio, that 1.-THE Cubans and
Filipinos not only be permitted but encour-
aged to establish independent republics"
the censure Of the Government for crushing
an armed instruction against the national
authority Is the same. In Iowa, the Demo-
Gratis condemned the war against the Fill
pinos as 1.-The subiugation Of people who
have committed no offence save the love
Of liberty and willingness to fight and die
for It," In Nebraska. less guarded, they
condemn tho policy (which has con-
verted a war for humanity into a war
for conquest" and the Democrats Of
Massachusetts went further in describing
the pacifcation OF the Filipinos as wanton
and needless and "a violation Of the prin-
ciples OF American constitutional liberty"
declaring that the Filipinos "are, and of
right ought to be, free and independent"
1t is noticeable that the phraseology
Of condemnation Is strongest in distinctly
Republican States, and becomes less pro-
to- cal totn hut ha
of all Is the same. 1t Ia to discredit the
Government, impose obstacles to the prompt
and humane termination OF warfare. and
add to the difficulties and dangers OF
our soldiers, in the forlorn hope Of
getting party profit from some reverse en-
countered by American arms. Like the
Copperhead Democracy Of 1S64, the Copper
head Democracy OF 1899 is stalking its for
tunes on national defeat and humiliation.
1t is praying for victory for AGU1NALDo.
The Democratic party. through Its elected
Representative in office, has not now con-
Irol over either branch Of Congress. and
hone over any State administration north
of the Virginia border line and east OF the
Mississippi. It's true that one State partly
within this territory, Minnesota, has an
ostensibly Democratic Governor, but other
wise the whole administration there is in
stalwart Republican hands. and the Legis-
lature Of $50 members has a Republican
majority on joint ballot Of more than co.
The Democrats. therefore. seem to assume
that, in such States, declarations, how
ever fervid, however violent, however
unjust and however unpatriotic. carry with
them no serious responsibility and entail
no prospective loss Of vote greater than the
Democratic party sustained in the same ter
ritory three years ago. But they fix the
Democratic party in an evil reputation.
They make Of 1t a party which banks on
national adversely and accordingly Is inter-
ested in provoking calamity. and. Of course.
there is something horrible, distinctly
reasonable, about that, when the gratifica-
ton Of the wish depends ON the slaughter
Of the nations troops and the humiliation
OF the American name. 1t smacks of the
Copperheadism which wrought shame on
the Democracy in 1854. That party seems
to be preparing not merely for defeat next
year but also to assume load Of oppro-
brium which will continue to weigh it down
for many years to come.