The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1900-11-24
HISTORY OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY.

reprinted from the Kansas City Star:
In view Of the possible reorganization
Of the democratic party, which the de-
feat Of Mr.. Bryan may bring about. the
history Of that ancient political organi.
cation is OF especial interest. 1t has
passed through many epochs and crises
without losing its remarkable vitality,
and there is no reason to suppose that it
will not recover from it's latest disaster.
Its reason for existence lies in the very
constitution of democracy. As John
Adams wrote in 1872: "You say our d.
visions began with federalism and anti
federalism! Alas! they began with hu-
man nature; they have existed in Amer
lea from it's first plantation"
Professor A. d. Morse Of Amherst COL
lege in an article in the International
Monthly, points out what he believes
are the three functions Of great party
teaching the people, giving shape to
public policy and administering the at.
fairs OF government. The democratic
party has exercised these functions with
degrees Of success depending on the Or
ganization's makeup and attitude for
the last century and more. In colonial
politics, while as yet the people we're or
ganized only in what John Adams called
the court and country parties. the sig
niticance Of the latter organization was
in teaching the principles Of democracy
and in giving practical training in poll
tics. 1t was this democratic movement
that carried out the revolution, Its influ-
encs was manifest in the losely knit con-
federation and the attempt Of tho colo
MES to get on without a central govern
ment in the years following the war. - -
The extremity to which it's principles
were carried caused reaction, and the
Observation-Disclosures OF a strong gov
ernment-dominated the convention that
formed the constitution. As a conse-
quence the document was regarded with
popular distrust and ratification was
difficult. The bill of rights Was added
to the constitution as concession to
this feeling. During this period the con.
sentative classes-the well born" as
they we're derisively called-headed by
Hamilton, seized the opportunity afford
cd by the disorganization and lack Of
leadership among the more numerous
opponents. to establish strong govern.
ment. With the return of Jefferson to
America the opposition found the leader
it needed. The struggle between these
two men resolved Itself into conflict
between the principles OF local home
rule with large individual liberty and
highly centralized authority.
The era OF the coptrol Of the Jeffer,
sonian democracy from 1900 to 1925 was
one of the most creditable in this history
of that party. At the time Of the over
throw of the federalists it had done
much to restore to popular favor the
democratic principles which had been
discredited by tho failure Of the con.
federation. Under jefferson it brought
the masses under active participation in
the government and developed nation
al spirit where before provincialism had
been strong. BY his ccnciliatory policy
and his retention of federal ideas, which
had proved their worth, Jefferson at
tracted to his party large numbers OF
the opposition from the conservative
classes. This alliance added a strength
end effectiveness to the democratic ad-
ministratlon which it could not other
wise have had.
The party under the influence of Jack
z.-. f-o.o 1909 Ia 1910 Iaaa. fod &.onn kha