The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13

~ behind them the Republicans
plunged into the widest Of eXcesses
Corruption became rampant In the
national government and permeated
the halls Of Congress. The credit mo
bllier, the star route scandals, the whis.
key ring frauds and similar schemes, /,
involved many Of the government Of
fl,ials and members OF the Congress
There was a feverish haste to get
money-honestly If possible, dishonest.
ly If necessary but 10 get it in some
way The people became alarmed and
rose to the occasion by returning .
Democratic House in 1874. Two short
years had wrought marvellous change
The immense Republican prepoDdeI-
anoe was obliterated and the parties
more evenly divided.
All this is history and IL needs no
seer 10 show thatithe people have 1t 10
their power. and natural incltna'
tion, 30 correct the evils Of misgov'
eminent when they are made TO be-
lieve that such evils exist The people
wanted M,Kihley and they have got
him They evidently believed in "pro'-
perity aad patriotism" as being pre-
ferable 90 the Democratic propagands,
and voted accordingly II the evils of
Republican rule exist they will be mar
Tested iu pronounced manner during
the next four years There will be no
chance 70 lay them at the door OF the
Democratic party; Mckinley and the
Republican party will have TO bear
them alone.
There is no need Of re-organizing the
Democratic party. There is nothing 10
re organize for az this tims Indepeu-
dent free C image Of silver at 10 TO is
dead aud buried for sll time. SO is
anti and several othtr
isms and lists. They have gone to join
the great Number Of questions Ia which
1t has been decided that might makes
right. Their is nothing to do bat TO
await the course Of events. RakiDg
over the debris Of destroyed issues 10
not the way 60 hnd new ones. AS the
years roll on living questions will be
presented for decision, and the men for
the occasion will arise. A patched. up
suit Of clothes put on now will proba.
bly, be 90 torn aud tattered by 1904 that
the fool killer would be ashamed TO
club such ragged scare-crow
Republican misdeeds aud the Ineed
Of reform pointed in 1884 30 the neces.
sity Of a Democratic candidate with q
backbone and a record for honesty. aud
Cleveland was the result. Then the
party chose him, and so he won. Later
he chose the party, and lost Under
the bardens Of the Mckinley Tariff the
people cried for a deliverance, and
forced the naming Of Cleveland in
spite Of the politicians. and he won
again. In the troublous times Of 1896,
a magnificent burst Of orstory enabled
Bryan 90 drag the Democratic party al
his chariot wheel and to press down 6
crown Of thorns upon its brow and tC
cruelty it upon a cross OF free silver.
He practically dictated the issues IL
1900, and she result is too patent fol
comment.
Whatever the future may bring forth
it is obvious that the Democratic party
must change Its tactics. These latter
day Americans evidently have but little
sympathy With the ideas Of Jefferson
and others of she fathers. The power
to coDjure by departed shades appear
to have waned. The voter seems 4
prefer the promise Of bread to any
amount Of sentiment, and will probabl,
vote for whatever he may believe t'
tend to his own material benefit. Tn,
beauties Of low tariff no longer appt q
20 the voters heart, az he votes ihl
upbuilding Of industries all arount
him. He is growing In independence
Of thought, and dares to think for him
self, even II be is not always allowed &
exercise his will In casting his vote
Just as the Republicans claim so many
I negroes to be 80 many Repubiical
votes, so Democrats claim all workmer
TO be Democrats Ut heart. even II forcet
TO vote she Republican ticket. Just q
the Southern negro turns 10 rend hi
best friend. just SO. the Democrat
think the Northern workman shoul,
turn on those who feed him. But thi
opinion is in need of revision, If result
are any oritision. II the proposed re
striotion Of the ballot is successfu