Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-10-10

have protected the republics of Central
and South America. There was differ
ence of opinion as to the wording of the
money plank, but none as to the party's
position on imperialism. And, yet, the
Courier-Journal and the Chronicle are
willing to give up the defense of the
Declaration of Independence and accept
the republican theory Of governmental
theory identical with that announced by
George the Third.
On the trust question no two Of the
three papers agree. The World is very
much afraid OF the trusts, but does not
know what to do about them the Cousier-
Journal does net know whether it is
afraid or not, and the Chronicle isn't
worried at all, but all three of the papers
lose no opportunity to misrepresent and
malign those who are in earnest in their
efforts to destroy private monopolies.
The papers above mentioned illustrate
the confusion, conflict and uncertainty
that prevail among those who oppose the
Kansas City platform. If convention
were called OF the daily papers which
want to repudiate the Kansas City plat
form and their editors were required to
submit new platform satisfactory to all
Of them they would adjourn sine die be-
fore they agreed upon single important
plank. They represent all shades of
opinion on every question and are
harmonious about nothing except their
contempt for the patriotism and intel
ligence OF the more than six million
voters who in spite of corruption and
coercion supported the party in two ma
tiona. campaigns. The Kansas City
platform is positive, clear and emphatic
application of Democratic principles to
present conditions. When person
stands upon that platform and gives to it
his UNQUALIFIED endorsement the people
know what to expect of him.
The opponents of that platform, how
ever, quarrel and contend over every
proposition submitted. Some want the
party to declare boldly for the gold stan
dard others favor cowardly evasion Of
the whole question. Some want the
party to declare openly in favor Of banks
of issue others want the party to keep
still on the question in its platform, but
to lend the party's influence after election
to the retirement of the greenbacks.
Some want the party to continue the
fight against imperialism some want
the party to quit opposing imperialism
and acquiesce in it without endorsing it,
while others think that the party should
have the courage to commend the adj
ministration's course. Some think that
all trusts are bad some think that part
of the trusts are good and part of them
bad, and still others believe that the
trust is an economic development that is
entirely benefcent in its operations.
The difference of opinion which mani
tests itself in the discussion of the larger
questions is no less conspicuous in the
discussion of minor questions. Because
they can agree upon no platform the re-
organizers content themselves with
criticising Democratic principles and
republican individuals.
Is it strange that the Democratic party
has made slow progress when it is re-
membered that for five years the leading
dailies, which claim to be Democratic,
have given more assistance to the opposi-
ton than to their own party? Between
campaigns they have been condemning
the platform Of the party and discredit-
ing those who endorsed the platform; it
is impossible for such papers to repair
during the campaign the damage which
they do between campaigns. But for
the weekly papers which have for the
most part remained loyal, the Democratic
voters would have had little opportunity
to read Democratic literature. The re-
publicans on the contrary, have all their
daily papers, all their weekly papers and
a considerable portion OF the so-called
Democratic dailies continuously explain
ing and in whole or in part defending
the course of the administration. The
only wonder is that the rank and file OF
the party should have shown itself as
steadfast as it has. If those who call
themselves Democrats will defend the
Democratic platform for the next three
years we can win in 1904; but it is diff
cult to win when a numerically small
but financially influential portion OF the
party is constantly compromising with
the republicans.
A Eipndish Attack