Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-02-01
REFORM OF DEMOCRATS.
Rotten Record of the Decndent Party
of Boodlers, Mudd1ers nnd Cal
amity HowIcrs.

American citizens who have lived to
the years of discretion can recall many
promises of democratic political re-
form. The Oldest inhabitant has no
knowledge of an instance in which the
pledge has been redeemed. There are
elements of evil in the democratic par
ty that invariably get to the top when
il is in control. 1t is historically so
everywhere, in the nation, in the
states and in municipalities. Where
il is strongest, as in New York city, 1t
takes the form of the Tammany ma
chine. When intrusted with all depart
ments of the general government the
democratic party stoned the only
president it elected in 40 years and
took up the creed of populism and de-
based money. Deficits and business
paralysis marked its trail. To vicious
intentions it adds glaring incompetent
cy. 1t will not and cannot do what
is right and best. It's past record in
St. Louis has these distinguishing
marks to the full limit. This city
knows from experience that democrat
ic rule, no matter in what shape,
means low machine methods and cor
rupt rings in every department.
When this party of ancient and fish
like reputation comes forward to prate
of reforn its object is clearly indi
Gated. In the first place, it never does
talk reform except in localities where,
as in St. Louis, it is on the losing side.
In such cases its pledges are lavish. 1t
throws out its tentacles for any sort
of combination that can help it to
votes. Third parties are its delight.
1t promises political faddists the earth.
ECotists who pretend that they are
nCppartisans, and so naturally gravl-
tate to the worst party, can always
find assurances of democratic sympa-
thy before an election. So can any
other variety of supertine crank. The
democratic party polls its own vote al
ways and scatters the opposition to
the greatest possible extent. Its mis-
sion is wholly accomplished when it
gets the offices. Then it settles down
to its traditional business of practical
politics, which, in its case, is a mix
ture of boodling and muddling. As
soon expect that cat will not return
to back doorstep as that the demo-
cratic party, as long as it retains its
identity, will be in any degree differ
ent from what it has been always.
1t is a refreshing privilege to turn
from this vicious organization, with
its piled-up burden of misdeeds and
incapacity, to the republican party,
which keeps its promises and exercises
a power to correct what is wrong
within itself. The high standard of
republcanism has been maintained
from the first. An attempt to carry
the party down to the democratic level
could never succeed. Republican prin-
ciples are constructive. Republican
platforms are carried out. If anyone
doubts it let him read the national
platform adopted in st. Louis in 1896.
It has been wrought into history.
Then turn to the democratic national
platform of 1892 and mark the con-
trast of empty phrases and principles
repudiated four years later. For Il
sample of how democrats govern Il
state, look at Missouri! Thus it hap
pens, by processes of the simplest
logic, that the first essential step to
any reform is to shut out from the
movement the democratic party as
now conducted anywhere in this coun-
try.-St. Louis Globe-Democrat.