The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-12-10

would govern by force: the other would
render force unnecessary by justice.
The one would build up special inter-
ests and classes; the other would have
equal rights to all and special priv
ileges to none. The one lsrty is re-
publican; the other democratic. The
republican party, alert in leadership
and resources, yelling its motives and
holding but a minority of the people,
has won the elections under false col
ors on almost every occasion. The
democratic party, the agency of the
people, representing at all times the
great mass OF American citizens, has
lacked what is known as the cohesive
force of public plumber" Nevertheless.
it has saved the republic. even in de-
feat. since the display of its militant
millions has held back the arm of ar
rogant republicanism. 1t stands today
for every principle in which the COM
mon citizen is interested; it is the
power which prevents the fulfilment of
Interior republicanism.
This party, il is true, has suffered
from the intrusion, at times. of false
leaders. and by the division of the peo-
pie through third party movements.
The purpose of republican strategy
was equally served either way. Thus
when Mr.. Washburn claims that before
1904 the democratic party will be taken
up by "syndicated" leaders to serve
the purposes of repubicanism, he is
only making faces at the man on the
other end OF the teeterboard upon
which he is himself seated. The re-
publican plan undoubtedly is to handi-
cap the democracy by such leadership
or. failing in that, to promote a third
party by which the voters may be di-
yided. In saying this we make no at
tack upon Mr.. Washburn's integrity,
but upon the position in which he un-
Willingly permits himself to be placed.
There is no need of a third party as
its effect can be only to divide. The
democratic leadership OF 1900, as that
of 1896. 1892 and campaigns preceding,
has fulfilled its mission. All alike are
on waiting orders" The people, in
their local primaries in the spring of
1904, will indicate their preferences
upon both public questions and the
leaders who are to eXpound them.
Whether they viii recall former lead
ers or select men entirely new is a
matter which belongs wholly to them.
In awaiting the action of the people
themselves. who are fully competent to
attend to their own affairs in their own
way. The Constitution feels that it will
best subseTve the great interests in
which the masses have such deep con
Germ.
Treating with Mr.. Washburn rs
man who is sincerely DESTROYS of unit
ing all forces against republicanism. we
would ask him 10 observe the same
course We cannot see any ground
upon which Mr.. Washburn could have
made such statements as he has about
the future course OF democracy. The
democratic millions have just emerged
from a contest in which, i'm the most
effective manner, they proclaimed their
position upon public questions. That
few discarded Office holders of a pre-
vious administration. who voted the
republican ticket. should CaCkle over
what they could have done, furnishes
no ground upon which Mr.. Washburn
should attack either the integrity or
the common sense OF the voters who
have so shown their Independence of
"syndicated bosses"
There Is no need of a third party. II
can only act as a sapper and miner for
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