The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-07
The Parting OF the Ways.

The Parting or the Ways.
Your editorial on the Gold Democrats
Is truthful and just. Today as much
as, II not more than four years ago, the
Republican party is the only one that
receives or deserves the confidence of the
people; and however much an intelligent
and patriotic man. who prior to 1896 acted
with the Democrats, may regret the dis
Indignation of his own party, there is
absolutely no course for him to take save
TO Join hands with his Republican fellow
citizens to help preserve and advance the
true interests of the United States.
These words are taken from a private
letter to the editor, written by one OF
the prominent Gold Democrats of the
state. They express the simple fact ct
the present situation. 1t was possible
in 1896 70 be content with a protest.
Few Democrats believed then that the
absorption of the party by Populism was
permanent They knew that terrible
blunder had been made. They knew
that Il cost the party all chance OF sue
cess at the polls. and left stain upon
II that would be hard to remove. But
they believed that the folly and madness
would pass. After the stunning defeat
which II did not require a prophet 20
foresee. they looked forward to re-
organization and return TO Demo
cratic principles, Therefore they con-
tlnued to call themselves Democrats
and expected to reconnect themselves
few years later with the party which
had. temporarily as they hoped and be-
leved. forfeited their support by for
felting their respect.
Neither In direction nor In rapidly OF
motion have the events of four years
met their expectations Not with impu-
nifty can a political party transgress the
fundamental laws u morality or sign
away the principles that made g. for
the sake Of fusion Association grows
into likeness The denial OF one party
principle has been followed by the aban-
| donment NJ others The drift OF Popu-
Ism has been like the movement OF
body drawn into a maeistrom and cir
| cling ever more and more swiftly toward
the center. The worst features OF Pop
| uusm and Democracy are 1uited In
what is called the Democratic -rty to-
day There Is no third organization %
serve as a refuge for the conscience
smitten The voters II the country have
come TO the parting OF the ways and
must choose.
The letter from which we have quoted
shows what choice the Gold Democrats
| have made. They could make no other
| Democracy stands FOR all the rcpelant
! doctrines that were contained tn Il four
/ years ago and has added other evil
| smelling blossoms 10 It's garland ~
death Judged by the uUteyances Of i,s
chosen leaacr, 20 represents today all
I that the ola Democrat despiscd. all that
/ the patriotic American hates ana fears
/ ], ls sam for cheap money. although tho
object lrsson ~ the last four years is
! As conclgssNe ~ fact as sound economy
I is - theory u is sian the party q dis
order Mr Bryan attempts t. throw,
oADam upon the law nv declaring that
/ It's decisions are puvoAassabJe in tar
/ h.shes, tribunal ip tho land I.gn,z ana
sulssr ere identifying 81 villa murder
AMI dynamiaus in the Coear d'Alepes
fhe rule 81 mob violence IS a fair tn
| depreciation 81 the Democratic system
as Democrats explain ii 70 the people
/ That party IS against expansion II op-
poses civilization in the Philippines. Il
demands THAI We pun down the nag
and surrender the people 70 CON-
dition Of anarchy there scarcely worse
than that which Sc would establish here.
It is for the old interpretations % the
constitution in ante bellum DAYS deny
i ias the sovereignty OF the nation and