The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-07-16

can be carried out.
The only plank which carries with it the gen
uine hallmark of democracy is that demanding
free trade. This, according to the democracy Of
Ohio, IS to be the great rallying cryf for next camp
algn. Yet in this plank that party pays reluctant
tribute to the great deeds accomplished by repub-
lican legislation when it speaks of continued
prosperity and indirectly alludes to our immense
volume of exports by saying that the production
of this country far exceeds its powers of con-
SUMPTION. Yes; just at this time we are selling
much more than we are buying. This was not so
under democracy and the Mills bill, but it is so
under Mckinley and the protective tariff. Great
truths sometimes enter the mind democratic, but
by devious routes. The platform endorses the
Monroe doctrine which has been so steadfastly up
held by Mckinley and the republican party for a
third of a century. 1t denounces corruption in
office. So do we all of us. 1t does not specify Tam
many but as the most conspicuous example of
official corruption in the United States we suppose
that organization was in the minds of the trainers.
of the plank.
As might be supposed the party pronounces
against expansion. This question was settled last
year. The American people decided they would
retain their new possessions and meet theirresponsi-
bilities like men and American citizens. The plat
form says let them shift for themselves, slet them
work out their own destiny. Had this policy
been pursued every decent, reputable. weli-mean-
ing citizen of the Philippine Islands would have
been mastered long ago, every church would have
been RACED, every woman violated. This would
have been the result of letting Aguinaldo and his
cutthroats 'swork out their own destiny. Since
the day when it was asked, cam | my brothers
keeper? there has been no more selfish and I'M
manly utterance. But it is even stronger than this;
the platform says elf these (inhabitants) are I'M
fitted by civil convention, race or character to be
formed into self-governing territories, they should
be permitted to work out their own Destiny. The
more helpless and unclvilized the people the less
the United States is to do for them.
That IS the proposition reduced to t slowest terms.
Just think OF it. If we know the people to be UNI
tit tor self government we are to letthem govern
themselves. Where restrictions and help are need
ed, there are to be none. This is democratic doc
trine as pronounced by the party in Ohio. 1t is
enough to bring the blush of shame to every
American cheek. Where the responsibilities are
heaviest they are to be avoided. where humanity
calls, we are to turn "a deaf ear, where the helpless
cry tor protection and the strong arm ofenlightened
law, the children of Freedom are to turn their backs.
When the American people shall have become so
unutterably selfish and so blinded to all instincts
OF humanity and Christianity as to endorse such
doctrines, they will indeed have out lived their I'M
usefulness and be ready to pass among the nations
that have lived and died. The remainder of the
platform is composed largely of glittering generali-
ties. After years of opposition in Congress de-
.mocracy approves the continuance of the powerful
navy which republican foresight has provided.
The civil service is to be extended now that de-
mocracy is out of power, although the ssoHensive
craftsmanship clause would doubtless be reinstated
were they to get control, No democratic office seek
Z IL ilCC y ulSCOuldSCQ ny lulS Clause SOIHt
prime excuse would be found for turning out every
republican were a democratic president elected.
Public virtue is to be upheld and no money spent
at elections if the Ohio democrats have their way.
Public virtue is being upheld at present; and we
have never seen a democratic campaign manager
who refused to take and to expend all the money
ohtainable for election purposes.
This then is the first new declaration of demo-
cratic principles. Free trade; control off trusts,
coupled with a declaration for {" State Rights;
strung together with glittering generalities and
high-sounding phrases. No Bryan, no Free silver,
hardly a thing to remind us of the so-called grand
and glorious principles for which democracy fought
and bled and welLnigh died in 1896 and 1900.
Some time ago the people of Denison .elt the
necessity for the erection of a new bridge over the
Boyer II. order to open a new road into town from
the south and west. The board of supervisors
was petitioned not only by citizens of Denison but
by farmers and finally it was ordered built. 1t was
built and it stands there to-day a thing of beauty,
unused and unusable a monument to the obstinacy
of oficialdom. The bridge as we said was there
but nothing short of a balloon can cross it because
there are no approaches. We do not attempt to
fix the blame. We do not know the full history of
the controversy as to who is TO pay for the approach
es and with an imperfect knowledge it is best not
to discuss. There should be a little common sense.
exercised however and the approaches should be
built. The people have got to foot the bill anyway
and just how it is done makes mighty little differ
ence. 1t is said that there were some high words
between officials concerning the matter and this is
the cause of the delay. The officers should re-
member that they are officers and are attending to
the peoples business not their own If they wish
to quarell let them do SO to their hearts content but
let them attend to the peoples business in a bust
ness like way first. If the bridge and the new road
was ever needed it is needed now and will be this