The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-23

SEATTLE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ~,
The Child of Fusion.

ne GDliO OF 4 uSlOH
Fusion has been effected, but 1t IS
such a fusionl Even the manlpulators
look far from happy. and the partisan
for principle smltes himself while bel
lowing In disgust. The crumb seekers
rejoice at little recognition. but all
along the line there are cries from the
real party men that they have been
betrayed Democracy has been swal-
lowed up by the odds and ends. and the
ticket bearing the name of which Jack
son was proud has at Its head a candi-
date who frankly avows he stands for
Popuism. prohibition and the single
tax.
This is the pitiable story OF Democ-
racy undone. The original intentions
were so good; the final results are so
meager The programme as first laid
out was well worthy of admiration.
Even political opponents could but re-
spect the desire that Democrats had
to get back TO the old faith, to fight
under the old flag. 60 put the party
name at the head OF the ticket and to
place on that ticket men who were DEM
ocrats, who would fight az Democrats
and who would go to victory or defeat
as supporters of Democratic principles.
The promise was as inspiring as the
pSrfoffnance has been abject ana mis-
ehfble.
The ticket IL called Democratic. but
1t is democratic only in the sense that
II is headed by a Populist and contains
a representative of every crank issue
that has disturbed the public mind for
the past decade. OF poor old John Coll
Inns they have made a monkey. and,
in spite of thirty-hve years service for
the old cause. he IL thrown overheard
with the unconcern that one exhibits
when tossing aside half-burned match.
There is indeed ingratltude when Il IL
necessary 20 sacrifice veteran of more
than quarter Of eenturys battles in
order 70 appease the hunger OF wander
Ing remnants that represent little save
appetite. There has been "a humillat-
Ing capitulatlon. ana II Is not surpris.
Ing there Is anger over the fact that
cut OF such great expectations SO little
has been realised.
The silver Republican party. nom
entity No far as being the exponent OF
any vital principle Ia concerned, has
been recognized far beyond it's deserts.
but In the general Generalization II Is
not strange that the worthy should be
ignored and the irresponsible fattened
ON rewards unesrned Clamor seems
- have been mistaken for strength. and
contingent that is dwindHng In num-
bers and influence and rapidly APP
preaching inevitable inslguincancs is
curiously given a recognition such as
Only a vital political force Is entitled
to, In this particular the wool has been
very oleverly pulled over the eyes OF
the other factions.
The nonpartisans. or rather those who
started out in the crusade as nonparti-
sans. have drawn the most substantial
prize. but it has been at the sacrifice OK
every fundamental principle laid down
when their movement was lnaugurated
They have been rolled over and had the
Democrats brand administered. and IA
return for nomination have cast aside
every plank 81 the platform with which
they hoped TO draw supporters to their
cause. From dlsinterestcd citizens they
have DEVELOPED into the rankest OF par
tlsans and what was launched as Sc
rious effort 10 get good government has
degenerated into ridiculous scramble
for a share Of the city offices under any
name. upon any platform, through any
combination and by any means or
methods. fair or foul. AS the acme OF
fraudulent pretension the uonpartisan
movement will SO unchallenged. 1t has
bean a colossal political swindle almost