The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-20
Whittier Organism Tends.

Whittier Organism Ienos.
1t should create no surprise that a
man like Eugene V. Brewster, the most
conspicuous man in the so-called chi
cago platform Democracy OF New
York cltv. has finally decided that the
Democratic platform is not sufficiently
advanced for him, and has decided to
cast his lot hereafter with the Debs So
cialistic Labor party. The adherents OF
the Chicago platform Democracy con-
sist first Of the politicians to whom plat
forms and principles mean nothing, and
who are willing to pledge themselves to
any legislative programme which prom
Uses to bring to their support a certain
percentage of voters without alternating
a still larger number. To this class a
large number Of the present leaders of
the Democratic party belong. They ad-
vocated the Chicago platform solely be-
cause they thought 1t was a vote-getter.
and because 1t made fusion with the
IpDbilsNo hhNhA ~ piHA 1851
Next comes the mass OF the Democratic
voters. who do not trouble themselves
greatly about platforms. principles or
records, but who vote the Democratic
ticket with regularity because 1t bears
the party name. Theirs not to rea-
son why"
There is still another class, to which
Mr.. Brewster belongs, and in fact. Mr..
Bryan himself With sincerity of con-
viction, they have moved step by step
In the direction of socialism: gradually
they have abandoned. the old Demo
cratic dogma of individualism. and
gradually they have imbibed the fixed
idea that the sole way of dealing with
all social, economic and moral problems
Is through legislation. BY progressive
stages he idea has become firmly fast
med in their minds that 1t is the proper
province of government to concern itself
closely with all affairs of the individual
citizen, TO protect him against his own
thrift and improvidenoe, to provide him
with work when u of e 'pioyment to
regulate his hours of labor n rate OF
wages. and to repress by every legisla-
tive agency possible the accumulation
OF Individual wealth or the concentra-
ton Of large private. capital in pro iuc-
tive enterprises.
Long continued reasoning and study
along these lines lead necessarily and
inevitably to belief in the complete ef-
ncacy Of socialism-the wiplng out Of
i~ndividualism and the substitution OF
the state. Mr.. Brewster. being presum-
ably an honest and logical man. has al
ready reached this conclusion He sees
In Eugene Debs the ideal for which Mr..
Bryan Is unwittingiy striving. although
sim far behind. To pebs, therefore. in
stead Of Bryan, ne naturally turns; tor
consistent adherence 70 ideals r.. 90 a
man Of this type, Of far greater import
ance thar the chance OF any political
triumph In the near future
Mr.. Brewster's detection from Bryan
Ism Is significant, as indicating the d.
rection IN which Organism itself Is tend
Ing Unless all political signs are mean
ingless. Mr.. Bryan himself. before many
months after his coming defeat this fail,
viii travel the same road. 20 the same
conclusions which Mr.. Brewster has
reached. His progress in this direction
ia the last four years has been rapid.
AS a perpetual Democratic candidate
for the presidency. this coming election
viii probably see the last ~ Mr.. Bryan.
II IL well within the bounds Of posi-
bility, however. that % years from
now he viii be before the people again
as a presidential nominee. bearing the
banner OF III Socialist Labor party. or
Of some Of the other factions among
which the sdherents Of socialism are a.
vidcd.
The ~orsf~,ctf1n % underground ram-