The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-12-28

ton the Tribune set forth hope that
the Democratic party under the chas-
tening influence OF defeat might ne
turn from its mad vagarles to sober
ways. and thus form a dlgnified and
patriotic opposition party. which would
be OF real service to the nation as a
balance or check upon the party in
power. 1t is. however easier to hope
than to prescribe. and it is probable
that even Mr.. Cleveland would ind It
difficult to rehabilitate the "oldtime
doctrines" Of the Democratic party in
logical and effective manner. We
may say. for example. that socialist
schemes have no place in Democratic
platform. Yet Mr.. Cleveland himself
stood sponsor for one Of the frst Of
them. a class discriminating income
tax: and this and other such schemes
have now been so widely accepted that
Reputation Of them would probably
ALLEVIATE 2 large minority. IL not a ma
jOrity, Of the party. For years the
Democratic party has been gathering to
itself all possible elements Of social
ism. anarchy and general discomfort
and disorder. Eliminate these. and there
would be only a remnant left.
on the subject of the currency there
is room for question as to what the
''oldtime doctrines" Of Democracy are.
Mr.. Cleveland unqusstionaSly stands
for sound money. So stood the found
ers Of the party. But between him and
them there Is a great interval filed
with all manner Of financial heresies.
The le to madness Of Organism IS not
the only strange god after which Dem
Ocracy has wandered. Before It were
other silver schemes. and greenbaek
imitation. and opposition to the reSump-
ton Of specie payments. and the long
chaos OF wildcat banks" and red dog
currency" A return to first principles
must. then. be to first principles indeed.
away back Of the days Of Jackson. And
what would such a return be but
turning toward and a surrender to the /
principles Of the Republican party.
Concerning the tariff Mr.. Cleveland
undoubtedly means By first princi-
'les'' tariff for revenue only. such as
ie while president so vigorously but
% vainly advocated. The adoption Of :
uch a policy would be logical and
courageous. but that 1t would result in i
'olitime victories gravely to be
loubted.
Civil seryk :, another leading issue. ,
dr. Cleveland r 3 osessed friend of {
ivil service reform, though not even
lis best friends will claim that he was
ltogether successful. even IL consis-
ent. in the practice Of it during his
But to what "oldtime !
doctrine" Of Democracy would he now
eturn? Jefferson. Madison and Monroe {
lad no doctrine on the subject. for the
ssue had not then been created. They
imply followed the example Of WASH
ngton and Adams. The conduct Of the
iyil service first became an issue under
Iaekson's administration and It was q
hen that the Democratic "oldtime doc :
rine" or first principle" was formu-
ated and promulgated and put into
Practice. "To the victors belong the Z
Ipoils" We cannot conceive that Mr..
Cleveland would return to that. But il
rot. he would again be turning toward
and surrendering 70 a distinctive prin-
,iple Of the Republican party. Finally,
there is the question Of territorial ex-
pansion. upon which Mr. Cleveland is
supposed to agree with Mr.. Bryan in
to the Republican policy.
But suppose the Democratic party re-
turned to the FIRST principles" and
"oldtime doctrines" of Jefferson, Mon
roe. Jackson. Calhoun. Polk and Buc-
hanan. Why, it would be the most
rampant expansionist and inperialist
the nation has ever knownl
Mr.. Cleveland is no doubt sincere
and disinterested in his prescription
for the health Of the Democratic party.
And we have no doubt, either, that the
following Of his advice would make
that party far more sane and reGpec-
table organization than It ls at the
time But even Mr.. Cleyeland's
would not be free from
some inconsistencies. while that It
would lead TO certain success at the
polls is most seriously TO be doubted. It
Is one thing to form a coherent and
consistent opposition for purposes Of