The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-12
SOME POLITICAL SHIFTERS.
LITTLE FAITH IN THOSE WHO
CHANGE PARTIES.

Palmer Goes to Hepubitcaus-Wcb -
ster Davis Absurd Mistake-Gre-
sham, wellington, Bynum and Tel
Ter Taken as Conspicuous Elk
amples.
Washington. Aug. 1i.-Both political
parties are now engaged in magnifying
the new converts they are capturing from
each other in the pending campaign. In
political circles these men, who suddenly
change their political position. are usual
iy referred to as "turncoats" or irene
gades."
Former Senator German of Maryland,
in discussing politics and politicians. re-
Gently gave utteranee to this sage re-
mark
"As a general rule men do not change
their politics more readily than they do
their religion"
He was prompted to make this aeser
ton in discussing certain men. who have
heretofore occupied positions Of honor
and trust in the Democratic party. who
are now about TO case their votes against
the regular Democratic candidates for
the presidency. He claims that the aver
age American citizen is reared upon some
fixed religious faith. and. although he may
waver in his allegiance TO his original
faith, il is very unusual for him 90 be
drawn away from the religious principles
taught him at his mothers knee.
On the same theory, the average Amer
lean inherits from his father certain po-
htical principles Time and conditions
sometimes bring about honorable and ex-
cusabe changes of views on great national
questions. but among the rank
and file of the great political
parties men do not often abandon the
political doctrines handed down to them
by their sires. except under extraordinary
conditions. These conditions sometimes
are the result of personal disappointment,
personal jealousies, false pride, and re-
vengeful nature.
Few Rcnegades Successful.
In looking over the political history Of
the past fifty years. Mr.. German ventures
the assertion that but few political rene
gades of either party have been successful
in convincing the world that they were
right while the vast ma jority who differed
with them, were wrong. The man who
pulls away from his party and goes over
to the enemy may receive All enthusiastic
glad hand" under the influence of a high
pressure of enthusiasm which is always
on draught on the eve Of a great national
contest. but as rule such men are looked
upon with suspicion by their new allies
and are despised by their former asso-
ciates. The political renegade sometimes
fiourishes and reaches high position among
his new-found friends but in the long
run, he is handed down to posterity as a
traitor to his party, without the love, re-
spect or confidence of his fellow men.
Just now the Republicans are trying to
work up some enthusiasm over the fact
that the venerable Gen. Palmer of Illinois
has deserted the Democratic party and re-
turned TO the Republican fold where he
was formerly located many years ago.
Gen. Palmer is an excellent type of that
class of men who seriously believe that
they are doing the country an inestima BILE
favor by continuously lodging bnsk and
forth from one party to the other when
ever something occurs which does not suit
their individual fancy. Gen. Palmer has
been a member of almost every party that
has existed within the last half a century
and IL is estimated that his immediate fol-
lowing might be counted on the fingers of
mans hands.
Webster Davis Flop.
on the other hand some Democrats are
trying 10 magnify the Importance Of Web
ster Davis flop from the Republican pie
counter into the Democratic fold. Mr.
Davis is a ford and impressive orator and
might have proved effective on the Dem
ocratid stump had 1t not been for a ride
ulous blunder he made at the recent Kan
sas City Convention when he was given
an opportunity, as new convert, to sec
ond the nomination OF Mr.. Bryan What
ever effect his speech was Intended TO
have. was totally lost by his miscallng
the candidates name. With a great burst
of eloquence. In powerful tone Of voice.
he called upon the Democratic hosts Of
the land TO rally around that peerless
leader. William Jennings Brennan" A
shout of derisive laughter followed Mr..
Davis unaccountable blunder and his re-
marks which followed were entirely lost
upon the convention and the country at
large. His usefulness as campaigner
was no longer regarded as one of the val
liable assets of the Democratic party
Some Conspicuous Examples.
There might be long list of this type
of politicians given to emphasize the
points above made, but the mention Of
a few conspicuous characters will be suf-
flcient at this time.
There is the late Walter O. Gresham OF
Indiana who. after years of earnest work
In the Republican party and being award
ed the governorship and a seat at the Re-
publican Presidents cabinet table sudden
ly shifted his politics to the Democratic
side of the House and out of pure resent
ment and spirit OF revenge against Ben
Jemin Harrison. he assumed a Democratic
mask. He was rewarded by a place in the
cabinet during the early part of Cieve-
lands second administration His history
Is too well known 10 be reviewed here In
spite of all he could say or do he was de-
spised by Republicans and never fully
trusted by the Democrats.
Another conspicuous figure In this class
is Senator Wellington Of Maryland. Hav-
ing by series Of political and personal err
rors, placed himself In antagonism TO the
members of the Republican party and hav-
ing blighted his sphere of influence and
standing In that party, he now seeks to be
revenged by deserving to the Democratic
camp. He has no following in the Senate.
has lost his influence at home, and he il
apt to be handicap rather than a help
to the Democratic party In the pending
contest.
Bynum and Teller.
Mr.. Bynum OF Indiana is another sam
pie OF the shifting politician. He was cnce
regarded rs one of the most conspicuous
and trusted leaders OF the Democratic
rarity IN Congress. Reverses at home
aroused within him a feeling OF revenge
SO that he Is now a supplicant at the feet
OF the Republican party for aid and COM