The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-26
TIL asDAY, APRIL &c. 1900.
a LESSON TO DEMOCRATS.

There is a lesson for the Democratic
party in the Republican convention held
in Ohio on Tuesday last. Democrats have
been counting on split in the Republic
can party. but if the Democratic leaders
expect 20 win by reason of any such split,
they are vastly mistaken. Republicans
have quarrels among themselves, but
when election day comes they can gener-
ally be counted upon to vote the party
ticket. They are usually stronger on cleo
tien day than on any other Jay of the
year. There may be wrangles at other
times, but when voting time comes there
is harmony and cooperation and
punching OF hits
in his speech before the convention Mr..
Mark Hanna said that the Republican
party was quite willing 10 stand on its
record, and he asked the Republican
party in Ohio 10 sound the keynote 10 the
rest of the Union. Ito express her conf
dence in NIcIinley.'' There has never
been an hour-nay. not a moment'-said
he, THAT Mckinley was not in touch with
his party in Washington We believe
that than is true Mr.. Mckinley is
party man and he stands in with his
party on all occasions. JIe is a man of
good heart and he tries TO do his duty,
but Mr.. Mckinley usually manages to
convince himself that whatever his party
does is right. There was harmony in the
Ohio Republican Convention and Mark
Hanna, the representative of William Nc
kinley, had everything his own way. The
Republicans are going to put up good
fight this year and the Democrats must
rely upon their own strength rather than
upon the weakness of the Reru blicans
for victory. In 1895 some :zo-called silver
Republicans did quit the party and vote
for Bryan, but The silver question will
not Gu, much of a figure in this cam
E,aiEn, certainly not enough to scare off
any Republican who is devoted to his
party.
How necessary is it, therefore, that the
Democratic party shall harmonic and
present a solid front TO the Republicans.
Mr.. Hanna used this significant language
also in his speech: The Republicans Of
Ohio and the Republicans OF the United
States said he, ARE confronted to-day
with many new propositions and issues,
thrown around us like tangled grass in
our pathway by the Democratic party, at
trick of policy made by the government,
seeking some issues, some opportunity,
10 manifest their opposition TO the policy
Of the Republican party"
That is the business OF the Democratic
party. Its mission is to combat the
principles and policies which the Republi-
can party stands for. Without such OPP
position the Republican party would soon
overthrow The republic and set UP a mon
archical form Of government. The trend
OF The age is towards centralized govern
ment and imperialism. The Republican
party believes in expanding the sphere of
its influence. That is the sort of expan-
sion that il is interested in and that it is
going 10 carry into effect 1t would
greatly strengthen The Republican party
10 be able TO control Cuba and Porto
Rico and the Philippines and Hawaii and
other islands OF the sea, and the more
strength the Republican party has the
greater menace 1t is 10 our institutions
II is the business of the Democratic
party 10 hold these Republicans in check.
10 overthrow Them # II can, but if it can
not. at least TO throw tangled grass in
their pathway. There Is issue enough in
that for a great campaign. We do not
need TO drag !n free silver and govern
,nent control of railroads ana other Pop
ulistac doctrines. There never was a
time in The history of this country when
there was greater need fer pure Demo
cracy and for a brave. aggressive Demo
cratic party, unmixed with baser matter.
If the Democrats who shall meet in con-
rentaon In Kansas City stlall only take
tids as the Keynote. formulate genuine
Democratic platform and nominate
genuine Democrat to stand thereon. the
party will be carrying Out its great mis-
rStnr uhefh,sr IL WIN ar NOT and 1T Will