New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-04
CAMPAIGN COMMENT.
THEORIES WILL NOT DO.
koR THAT REASON THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY Is NOT TO BE ENTRUSTED
WITH GOVERNMENT.

20 the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: A party untrammeled by theories can at any
time change its policy TO suit the demands OF
what is best the tine. II may without just
charge OF inconsistency reverse to-day the policy
OF yesterday. What is practically best. and not
what is theoretically best, is the question Theo-
ries of government as theories in other matters
do well for argument and as general guides But
conditions especially in matters of government
make theories utterly impracticabe and the theory
persisted in will work the destruction of the Gov
eminent. What is the best government" even III
theory. is at all settled question; thal gov
eminent IS best that is best adapted 10 the en-
nghtenment and environment OF the people 10 oe
eoverued II YOU could determine upon the best
theoretical government the education, social con-
dtions and general environments OF the people 10
be governed may be such that the attempt to put
your theory in practice would be most disastrous
Government, ike most other things In this III
IS a practical matter-perhaps more so than any
other affair Of life as the conditions upon "hlch
the theory be put in practice are more varied
In physical and exact science you can have 'heo-
ries you can have demonstrations. because your
facts are certain and unchanging- Government
belongs TO moral science; the data for suloahce
are not demonstrabIy true, nor do they remain the
same for any considerable time
The Democratic party is party Of theories re-
eardless Of facts as they actually exist or may
exist tomorrow. With II government must not
conform to the present conditions and demands OF
the governed but the governed must CONFORM
10 q theory of government regardless OF It's ADAPT
ability 10 the genius the moral and educational
.nd social condition of the people to be governed
Hence the Democratic party will never be sue
cessfu party. II is good IN us place II b
some urettv theories and is educational but "hel
put in charge administer the GoEernmehI -
has never failed TO show Itself iInpotent; and, II
Continued in power if it seriously attempted to
nut fits theories in practice. Wou4d most certainly
Believe in certain Democratic theories as theo-
res and wish that mankind couid pgaG'SS inS
just believe in the truths as iaught oy s
and sorry that nineteen hundred years aInei
whether after two thousand years more man will
have reached a sufficiently high plane 10 put these
that il to-day a government would make these
truths its basis and atenp pit TO govern accoraney
eTnment would AFFORD no protection 10 life. lib
sut A repet s Of the Frehch Revolution People
cannot be made for any particular gGyern neanie
and must conform 10 the social condition Of the
The Democratic party had control Of the Gov.
eession. The Democratic party was so trammeIed
b its theories that i was s helpless r 70 farf RE RE
publican party the Nation would have disinte-
fefe WeTe STATES with the result Of contnna
wars and revolutions. In short. would have
t on that t Of Central America The Republican
party saved the Nation, and has since administered
finder its practical administration the Nation
Is true that individuals of the. party have been
corrupt and the party has made grave mistakes
and all governments. Individual leaders OF the
and the Democratic Administration in power since
the war has been corrupt as any RePunlcan Ao-
xninistration and made grave mistakes:
The Republican party is q party OF policies and
expediency. II does to-day what is best, and to-
morrow what Is best: regardless OF what IL did
Yesterday It is eminently practical. II II be
FOUND wise TO reform our currency and tariff laws
the Republican party can give these reforms; IT
can do what the people want It is not tied by any
theories and utterances made that are now obso-
iete by changed conditions The Democratic party
cannot do what is best any time without dan
ger of violating its theories and party utterances
and when attempts this Ii is justly charged with
inconsistency and at the next election is repuoi-
eted.
paper. but the attempt 10 put them in practice
would bring society into great confusion, Sand
might evenfuate in internecine AS for my
self propose to quit dreaming, and in the future
10 give nv voice and help TO honest admins
tration Of practical government. hold that gov
eminent Is by and for the people. and the people
are not made by or for any theory of government.
AN EX-CONFEDERATE OFFICER.
E3rrninRhsu Ala. Oct Il 1900.