The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1901-01-05

Rgl1ASaAaNI I
part either In the past or present. All
is positive, absolute certainty. Yet 1t
appears to me that scarcely was there
ever 20 preteniious an utterance that
was SO open to just criticism or SO de-
structive to its own very purpose.
He starts with q statement that ne
will discuss ''the present plight OF the
democratic organization" ''from 8 par
tisan standpoint and in q partisan
spirit, but it is all unsparing criticism
Of the action Of the majority, and the
claim Of every virtue for = certain
minority. 10 one claiming membership
in the organization il Is the opposite Of
partisan 1t is purely iActious.
In his discussion he thinks Il proper,
or is compelled TO use an adjective to
define his democracy, thus falling In
With the general opinion, at least OF a
majority Of bis party, that his dsmoc-
rAcy needs something To explain Il, but
bis ~predicsment Is made the more man.
itest by his choice Of a word, for II his
democracy Is what the word implies 1t
needs no prefix. Democracy Is not
assisted or made better by being called
true democracy. The name implies the
quality. This exaggerated aPpellatiOn
not only serves to designate his politi-
cal status 10 bis own mind, but at the
same time it condemns all who do not
agree with him, and from the nature Of
the whole piece we may Justly conclude
that tbis va. tina chief purpose Of Its
adoption. The use OF such q term "
dAfne mis- own democracy necessarily
implies that all others are false.
He briefly reviews the party's his
tory from the campaign Of 1864 TO the
last one, virtually making success the
test Of merit, but directs the full force
Of his criticism at the party In the last
Two presidential campaigns, and this is
the gist Of hrs article.
He refers to the defest Of the democ-
racy in 1896 as being occasioned BY an
abandonment Of party principles and
the choice OF strange leadership. Now,
anyone who worked for the success Of
the party In 1895, who was with the
voters in the ranks, knows that II we
had made that campaign under the
Leadership Of any democrat connected
with Mr.. Clevelsud's administration,
who was in sny way responsible for IT
or IN sympathy with it. any one OF
those BIO Is fond Of calling true demo-
Gratis, that even Missouri would have
been los. to the party; yea, the balance
would have hung doubtful in Texas.
It was only from al assurance that
there was no C~leyslandism in ouI
( leaders that the ranks Of the democracy
( held firm. Mr.. Cleveland, by the
, exercise Of what be is pleased to tern
2 true democracy, so estranged the yot'
b ing forces Of his party that under nc
n circumstances would they have voted
. for q continuation Of his policy.
Let 1t be understood that there Is nc
g criticism here intended for those dem
ocrats who refused TO vote for Bryan
from conscientious scruples. The,
D exercised their rights IS citizens, jus
D a. did those Of us who voted for him
and iair.minded men must grant t,
others all that they clam for them
Z selves; but what is TO be condemned
u this arrogant assumption Of iniallibillty
10 this sffectAtion Of superior wisdom an
II virtue, this colossal conceit that stru,
y before Us in such disdainful fashion
charging the results Of its own conduC
upon others.
-, Mr. Cleveland denies any "prstenE
Of special authority" or "consciou
Interior motive" IN his discussion q
D, democrscy's plight" and We mus
ooDeede this TO him, but the dlsclaims
OF authority does not negative the PR
tense Of political perfection no moi
than the absence OF consciousness cor
cesls the motive.
What q predlcsment 10 this ini
= which our critic has tangled himself.
BE attempts 10 screen himself froI
'' criticism BY reference TO Andrew Jacl
" son, and c~oniounds the enforcement
federal laws against resistance by Il
w constituted authorities Of a state VII
ce making the federal army do polit
I'd duty 10 = state loyal 10 all Of It's d
ed psrtments.
DO We can but distrusI the sincerity
the expression Of holy reverence I
sour highest Judicial tribunal" 10 o.
Of who has just before denomInated
nd procedure 10 which that tribunal "
used as the most potent factor,
wicked Vaccinations"
He chooses q title for bis writI
that Is 10 itself 90 afiront TO more tb
5000, 900 OF his fellow democrats, q
lan propriates all Of the virtue claimed
democracy as the peculiar property
u . that faction which be has named Il
democracy, calls the attempt Of
majority Of his party to return TO
oil, monetary system that bad prevailed
Of long under democratic aud other rul
sm- dslusion, claims the merit Of cons
enc vailSIn for the revolutionary moYeml
'ef- which was attempted TO change
altogether, uAsparlpgly eGilisisss Z