The Atlanta constitution., 1900-11-19
Looking at the Future

We print with great pleasure the
I letter 10 be found elsewhere. from the
/ pen of Mr.. John II. Hodges. editor oil
I The Perry Home Journal. in which h
discusses the present political situa-
/ tion.
The interest which is thus displayed
/ in the future of democracy argues well
/ for the virility OF the party. and for
the future OF Its principles. When de-
/ feat meets a party it is instantly beset
Z by wreckers and cranks, who seek
either 10 disnlacc the leaders or TO per
vert the purpose OF its existence. Such
men are usually those in somewhat
prominent view. whose importance
comes from that fact. and who imagine
that they can hoodwink the people to
+ their views. The argument seems to
be: There are 100000 voters. They
have been played as pawns by one set
az leaders Let us now get together
and play them To our purpose" In
this there is no thought that these
voters may happen 70 have views OF
their own. and that leadership exists.
not Dy the self-assumption of bold
men. but by the indication OF the yot-
ers themselves We have already had
occasion 10 discuss the doings of these
partv wreckers. and 10 serve notice
uron them that democrats have not
lost control of the ship. even though
they have been driven into port 10y a
terrible storm.
Mr.. Hodges. on the contrary. is one
of the 10000 lie speaks from with
i'm the ranks. and what he says is de-
A.. . IN
editor OF a local newspaper which
comes close TO the people. he repre-
sents class OF men who have much
10 10 with the forming Of public Opin-
ion. While the democratic party stands
in need of no offens.vely suggested re
organization. vet We have reached the
period uf debate for the present. The
party IS In biyOuac. its members are
al liberty To suggest and 10 discuss
and ont OF al this there will evolve
plans and purposes which can DE put
into effect later on. The democracy
cf each state. by itself. las this duty
TO perform. so thar the concensus OF
ouiuion in each state may become
known. and .t viii De possible 20 reach
national agreement. The FIRST work is
thai o. sclf-assertion and self-discip-
lire. Let the faithful stand closer to-
eether. culcarcd to each other by dis
as,er. It will be- found that others,
who have made the mistake OF fighting
under. the banner 0f tho enemy viii
return 10 their alle-iance To the peo-
Die. The party in power is arrogant
with victory. II Is pledged 60 policies
fatal both 10 national homo. and 10 in
dfviduaI progress. l. has played a bold
hand and veilod Its true purpose we'll
Time VIII disclose al' this. and ae the
different interests which brought about
the result claim the usuFruct. Tho peo-
Ole viii discover how they have been
led asiray-
Is ~ pol cirS suggested by Mr.
Hodges thGi- discussion IS Well I'm orr
.ar that conclusions may be reached.
Dcmocr1tle national platforms are the
result uf earnest expression. They are
the outcome of four wears Of expert
ence. The democratic party claims the
right as E living organization. 90 meet
the issues If ig0i as they shall be made
hv rhe four wears uuou which we have
now entered only one thing we cam
today know for certain: that the dem
orrafic PARTY must represent the poo.
pi,'s cause. whatever that may he ~
the time That cause can only Poe made
manifest iv the people themsclvoe
syHo. through previous discussion and
csceltaumrnt 0i purpose. VIII have de-
v,lonel Tie trend which leaders mus,
either accept or stand aside for others
who Wili