The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-26

The chaotic condition Of the Demo-
cratic party has caused conference
of senators who assume to act as steer
Ing committee and have outlined poll
Icy for their following at least in the
upper house. This is made necessary
by the absence of all leadership and the
confusion Of councils. The party is no
more than a mob. When the wild-eyed
fanatics leaped into the saddle in 1896,
the conservative and capable represent
tatives Of Democracy withdrew They
had neither the desire to lead any such
aggregation nor the power to control 1t.
They cleared the track for Bryan and
Altgeld and Jones' and sulzer. The re-
suit is mere party anarchy.
To the cooler heads Of the senate It
is evident that this situation is destruc-
tive OF discipline and an invitation to
public contempt. They have therefore
endeavored to get together on . COM
mon line Of action as far at least as
their body is concerned. They have an
nounced policy to be followed in as
much as two particulars They propose
to offer free silver amendment to the
financial bill, for which every Republic
can tenders them heartfelt thanks A
few Of the saner senators refuse to be
bound by this action. but 1t will have
a sufficiently solid Democratic vote to
commit the party to the doctrine which.
ruinous in 1895. is today almost beneath
ridicule. Then they united the flag ends
OF their ideas on the Philippine question,
and agreed to a recommendation sub,
etantially on the lines Of the Bacon
resolutions.
Now we become interested; for here
at last is something better thar mere
vaporing. We are able, If they adhere
to their pious resolve. to determine APP
proximately what 1t is that the Demo-
cratic party offers to the people, II they
should put it into power, in way Of
a Philippine policy. 1t Is briefly
summed up in this statement: That
property in the Philippines until quiet
is restored, when 1t shall provide the
opportunity and prescribe the method
for the formation of government by
and of the people of the Philippine ISL
ands to be Independently exercised and
controlled by themselves. There il no
assurance that this will be satisfactory
to the unterrifed and unbridled Dem
ocracy; but we must take 1t as the best
and only thing offered In the shape of
a definite policy.
What does It mean? We fancy that
this question cannot be answered by
any man who wants to deal with prac-
tical facts instead OF distractions. It
is nothing but words, words, words.
The United States must protect life and
property in the islands until "quiet Is
restored" Then the war must &c on;
this war which Democrats have de-
nounced as one of bloody aggression!
Or is it proposed that our troops make
no advances, but remain within their
lines and shoot back only when they
are fired upon? BY no other means
than vigorous prosecution of the cam
paign until the rebels are suppressed
can quiet be restored or life and prop.
erty protected. If it means anything at
all, therefore. this prologue of Democ-
rags declaration means an active con-
tinuance of hostilties till the rebels
have surrendered. That of course, is
the only policy possible or honorable to
pursue. But how, thus far, does II differ
from the administrations policy, and
how can 1t be made to harmonize with
the views OF the "denouncers?"
Then what follows? We are to pro-
vide an opportunity and prescribe a
method" for the formation of an inde-
pendent Filipino government. In
fanaouSt What ripbf have ,xa - s.v,,.A