Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-11-10
LET CONsERyATIsM CONTROL.

LET CONSERVATIVES CONTROL.
| The talk that has been INDUCED in
since the election by those who COM
pose certain political element in this
country, encouraged by such papers
looking to the reorganization of the
democratic party, is, of course, pre-
mature, and likewise nonsensical. In
the first place the democratic party is
not yet in need of an organization. 1t
has one that, regardless of the out
come of the election, is not in any
sense of party usage demoralized Or
out of business. 1t was legally con-
stituted by the democratic party, and
will continue in its legitimate sphere
until discharged by the same author
ity that brought it into existence.
The thought of democratic rejuvena-
ton, the thought indeed of anything
that pertains to democracy, as the
word is understood, on any other
basis, or plan of procedure than
the proper one is out of the question.
In the second place those who are
reputed to have taken it upon them
selves to revive the party are not in a
position to call the party together
either authoritatively or morally.
mocracy-although defeated, over
whelminglv defeated-is still too
great to respond to the call of it's
enemies. 1t is not for such party
changelings as Jimmie Eckles, Don NJ.
Dickinson, John q. Carlisle and few
others who might be mentioned to
pose as the resurrection and life of
democracy.
Conservatism alone will bring the
party back as a great political factor
in the nations affairs. 1t is for the
conservative men of the party, the
men who, although differing serious
ly, perhaps, in some of the articles
of the party declarations, have never
theless heen true to it to the end, to
| take such a course in the proper way
as will restore it to it's old footing.
No former democrat who has by word
or act contributed to the party's
downfall can intelligently expect to
take the initiative in whatever plan
may be adopted for the party's high
est good. He who has plunged the
knife should ask for forgiveness, not
to rule.
The boasts about the kicking out of
Bryan and those closely identified
with him in the conduct OF the party
campaign is noisy cackle, of course.
The party in legally constituted con-
vention adopted the platform on which
Mr.. Bryan was nominated, and chose
the candidate. 1t named the organiza-
ton, not for this campaign purely,
but until such time as some other
course of action might be deemed
wise. The party alone can change
from the course that has been adopt
ed. 1t is not the part OF manliness to
take any other view of the case. 1t
comes with particularly poor grace
from the hands of those who openly
sustained the principles OF another po-
litical organization to suggest any
other policy now.
The democratic party must look to
conservatism, rather than radicalism
either way, as the means of recovery.
MIR. Bryan has not yet been repudi-
ated by his party because those who
repudiated him before the election
may say so now, and he is entitled to
voice and consideration in the coun-
ellis of the party until through the
influence OF those who are entitled to
WELD that influence, he is overruled
There are plenty OF conservative men
still in good standing with the party,
who whether enthusiastic during the
recent campaign or otherwise, have at
least been faithful, who are capable
of reading the signs of the times, and
from whose counsel and judgment
new articles of faith may be written
What the issues may be in an
other campaign. no one can
foretell. In the reaching of the
on which the party is
to determine its future course
Mr.. Bryan cannot be ignored. al
though views other than his may pre-
dominate. The party may look out
side the lines of its strict organiza-
ton for advice. but it will not go 20
the enemy. In the consideration of
its future policy, will the counsel of
such recognized leaders as Bourke
Cochran. George Fred Williams,
Horace Boies, Carl Schurz, A. E
Carter Harrison, Tom l..
Johnson, Ben L. Cable, Henry Wat
terson Hoke Smith, and hundreds
Of others equally prominent and re-
sPected. and who have supported the
party in the last campaign, doubt
less be sought, and throu Oh the
narmonizing of all elements will come |
/ party stronger than ever.