The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-13

not announce tnat ne Is under the ne
cessity Of forsaking what is left of his
old party. and will vote the Republican
ticket. 1t is no trifiing reason which
prompts him TO take step that means
so much to him. 1t Is no easy matter
to give up the political associations OF
lifetime. Party ties are among those
which are broken only with the great
est reluctance. and when q man for
swears allegiance to a political organ
ization with which he has been identi-
fed for years II means that he has
found something radically wrong with
the actions or professions Of the party
he Is forced to leave.
The straight-out Democrat who has
always endeavored to remain true to
the faith of the fathers has been III at
ease ever since the convention at Chi
caso in 1896 announced to the world
what II believed to be the enduring
principles of right Democracy There
was in those declarations so much that
was wildly radical. financially dishon-
est and openly hostile to law and good
government that many men of high
principle who had always fought the
battles OF the Democratic party felt
that any organization holding to such
doctrines was one with which they
could not be in sympathy. AS a result
many voted against the candidate nom-
mated by the Chicago convention, hop
ing to compass his overthrow and ef-
feet distinct Reputation of the prin-
ciples promulgated by the gathering
which put him In nomination. Their
idea was not to abandon their old party
for all time. but rather to rebuke and
remove the misguided leaders. secure
the reafiirmation Of Democratic princi-
pies long honored. and bring the MEM
bers back TO q faith more In harmony
with the ideas OF Jefferson.
The attempt has been a failure. and
this year Democrats are called upon
to indorse ideas even more repulsive
than those which were brought to the
front four years ago. Moreover. In
stead OF getting back to old Democratic
landmarks. the party Is drifting farther
out upon the sea of Populism. Instead
OF sinking OF the entangling alliance
which has been sapping the real vital
ity from the party. instead Of making
fight for Democratic principles pure
and simple. the tendency has been to
yield more and more to Populistic In
fuences, until now Democratic ma
tionai convention merely indorses q
Populistic nominee and hopes for sue
votes.
II is this catering to Popnlists and
Populism which Is driving the sturdier
Democrats from their old party. and
there seems little reason for believing
that the secession will be arrested. The
leaders now IN control are In favor OF
viii improve the chances for success.
no matter how grotesaue the personal
makeup Of ticket or how shocking
the sacrifice % principle may be. Two
years ago. IN the hour of fusion defeat.
II was believed that IN the state of
Washington. at least. the Democracy
had been brought 10 realizing sense
OF the predicamcnt Il was IN. and there
were many open declarations 90 the ef-
feet that the party would thereafter
assert its Independence night for Dem
oerstlo principles and 20 TO victory or
defeat with the Democratic Gag at the
masthead But all this came 10 moth
ing- The party had become 80 debauch-
"a with Illicit political alliances that IL
had neither the strength nor resolution
20 proclaim itself free or 70 undertake
1 70 battle Cor Democracy as the fathers
understood Il. ~ Is only a few months
I ago that the announced determination
/ of local Democrats 90 make a aght FOR
a Democrats mayor on Democratic
ticket was followed by the nomination
/ u popgiis; as The man whom the
Democrats should support Only a few
days ago the Democrats q Spokane.
with the same resolve, concluded their
I deliberations hy swallowing the whole
PopaIis, county ticket as :, had been
named some weeks before. Plans are
now making for a similar performance
1 when the time shah arrive for nomi-
/ mating state ticket Go be voted on
next November. There IS little doubt
that the deal viii be put through and
shipping at the shrine OF Jefferson and
jackson comes 70 exercise the right OF
suffrage he will find before him a mon