Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-11-16
Democracy Is Not Dead.

Frank A. Richardson, the able and we'll
posted Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore san, takes the following view OF
the political situation:
Political gossips and quidnuncs are taking
much pleasure 10 specializing upon the future
OF the Democratic party and the necessity
Tor piecing up of its shattered fragments
through an immediate attempt at reorgani
cation. A lot OF regular and of halting
leaders OF the party have already given their
views as 10 what ought to be done, and many
others will be following their example for
some weeks TO come.
Then the gossips and the public alike will
become weary Of the subject AID it will be
dropped for something newer.
The Democratic party from period com
mencing not later than eight or ten years
after the Civil War has been the majority
party Of the country. Never has 1t been
more largely In the majority than in 1895
and again in 1900 Republican managers
OF the highest prominence are conceding
with the utmost frankness McKinley's re
election was due to Democratic aid, just as
was his first election four years ago No
one disputes or doubts this. Had the party
been united in 1896 Mckinley would not
have been in 1t, nor, of course, would there
have been any show Tor the Republican
nominee this year.
A party is not in such hopeless condition
when 1t can poll 100000 votes, all white,
and spare million or 30 more to elect the
candidate Of the other side. The Demo.
cratic party is one of the few political par
ties which was not born to die. 1t has al.
ready outlived several opposition parties,
a nd | mill h. ali o.,I L..
after the Republican party passes out OF ex-
istence
The darkest days of its history were
through the period of the Civil War and
the years Immediately succeeding, when at
one time it had not more than hall dozen
members of the Senate and perhaps not
more than 40 in the House.
There used to be good deal of talk about
reorganization and all that sort of thing,
but nothing came OF it. The party went
right straight along, and in due time its
glorious rank and file brought it on top,
just as they will do again The men who
are talking about reorganization and airing
their views with 30 much pretense OF wis
dom and foresight may delight to hear their
own utterances, but II they live long enough
they will find how little they knew about II.
They may as well settle down Should they
really undertake any serious movement, as
Is the intimatlon thrown out by MIR. Dickin.
son, OF Michigan, they would OILY expose
themselves TO ridicule. But they will not
do II the encouragement will be too feeble.
The Democratic party needs rest, not re-
organization. Two years hence, when the
Congressional elections are again on, the
party will show itself and will make itself
felt. II will have no national platform, but
the party in each Congressional district can
make It's own declaration of principles and
conduct the fight on its own lines.
There will be no national organizations
10 help II or hinder II. The chances are 30
to the party will get fairly on its feet
again, and when 1904 rolls around will I've
10 as good u condition as II ever was in its
whole history. This will come through the
logic Of events, naturally and inevitably
The best thing for all the leaders to do
those who supported Bryan and those who
did nOt-is To take back seats for season
and let the pot boil slowly. The Republic
cans have absolute control of every depart.
ment Of the Government. They are going
their own way, and Democratic policy is 70
watch and wait Let 1904 take care OF itself