The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-30
THURSDAY, AUGUST 80. 1900.
THE EEpUBLIC IS SAFE.

The oessimiStS we have With US always,
and the CRY is raised again, as it has been
raised during every Presidential campaign
from the beginning that the republic Is IN
danger of overthrow and that our repub-
lican institutions are about to totter and
fall. For our part we see stronger evil
dences than ever before OF the stabilty
of the republic. and republican instltu-
lions Grant that the tendency OF the Ike
publican party is towards monarchy ana
superialism. That is no new thing, Tor
there has been a party IN the country
with such TENDENCIES since the days Oh
s,,e Federalists and that party would, no
do,ht. Ions, since have overthrown the re-
1,ublic but for one thing But that one
thing is the greatest power in this country
It Is the Democracy of the country, by
whatever name called. We nave been
called a nation Of shop-keepers, and 1t mas
been SAID time and again that the Aner1-
can people are disposed to subordinate all
things 10 commercialism. That may be
true of an element of the American people
but the great body polite, the Democracy
OF this land, has higher and nobler views
of Government. The men who compose 1t
believe that all men are entitled to life
and liberty and the right to pursue hap
1iness, with as little interference as is con-
sistent with law and order and the protec-
ton of society from the powers CT Govern
ment. Democracy is the great restraining
force in this country, and that force is
stronger and more in evidence to-day than
ever before.
This country is now in a highly pros
porous condition and thoughtful men be-
liepe that from a purely material point OF
view il We're better to have no change
s this year in the administration OF public
affairs. II the people Of this country, the
great Democracy OF the country, We're dis
posed, as has been charged, to subordinate
all things 10 commercialisrn and material
Ism. they would, no doubt. let the election
this year go by default and continue the
Republican party in power without protest
But the people who compose this great
Democracy take higher view than this.
They believe that il is the purpose of the
Republican party TO make a wide depart
1lIc 1IOll Inc loilGS VI NONtItli11ei1L duopteO
from the beginning, and they believe that
this is contrary to the genius Of our in
tsiitudons," and that 10 pursue a policy of
Imperialism, as that term Is understood,
were TO endanger the very life of the
republic. Therefore the people composing
the Democracy Of the country have raj
lied and propose 10 make vigorous fight
against the Republicans In spite of ma
teriai prosperity, holding that principle is
above mateIial!sm.
Here is a paradox. The fact that the
cry of alarm which has been raised can
SO arouse the people is abundant evidence,
as we have said, that Republican !nstitu-
tons are safe The safety Of the repub-
lie and republican institutions is with
the people of the country, and so long as
the people are for the republic, the re.
public is safe. no matter what sort of ar
organization may be against it 1t ha:
been said that the Democratic party l:
strongest. when hghttng on its back.
IS certainly true that the Democratic party
even a minority party and out of Office
IS the conserving force In this Govern
1nent- The republic is never in danger
SO long as the Democratic party is true
10 Its principles. It IS only when the
Democratic party forsakes its principles
and runs after strange things that GU,
republican institutions are threatened.