The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-28
Contributed
IS THE CHOOSING TINE At HAND ?
Mnnirihnted.l

Some months ago novice undertook
the task to write au historical narrative,
which he was pleased toentitle: ATwo-
Edged sword" Unlike novels in general,
this narrative has no plot, its design
being clearly stated at the outset. 1t
originates in Colonial times and purports
to point out the danger to which this
country is being led 10y the Republican
party. which danger il Imperialism and
which party is Lending our country
thereto. \ naughty spirit is represented
by the two-edged sword, and the claim IL
made that such a spirit will not only cut
down the individual, but the nation az
well
When he had about half told his tale,
having arrived at that point where
Misses Conscience and Landmark were
going to join themselves unto Miss De
mocracy for the united purpose to wrest
the government from the hands OF the
Imperial. or Republican party, forceiul
memories came over him.
"Why," said he, what has the Demo
cratic party done since 1875 to justify
me in thinking that our beloved country
would be safer in its hands than in the
hands of the Republican party? Eight
wears OF Democratic rule since 1850 has
demonstrated the fact that it would tall
out and quarrel with itself were 1t in
heaven. If it is incapable OF governing
itself, how can it govern great nation
like ours?"
Then he said: LET us form new party
on new principles" He thought and he
thought. but no new principle could he
conceive as a basis for his new party; Tor
every principle he could think OF was
already embodied in some one OF the
many party platforms. He then recalled
To mind the Scripture which reads thus
The thing that hath been it is that
which shall be; and that which is done il
that which shall be done; and there is nc
new thing under the sun
well" said he, the four prominent
political parties OF this country have
each some righteous and some unright
eous principles Why can't we take from
each party its righteous principles-leav-
ing them their unrighteous features-and
formulate them into a new party plat
form2 | believe in eclecticism and ! am
going to form an Eclectic party"
Be it remembered that eclectic means
choosing or selecting. In ancient times
there was a class of philosophers, as like.
wise physicians and religionists, who were
called Eclectics because Of the fact that
they Joined themselves to no particular
school, party or sect, but selected IRON
them all those features they deemed good
We will deduce from this nOyce's premi
ises four thoughts, which we will lay
down in four propositions and later on
consider each one separately. Following
are the PROPOSE tions:
1st. That haughtiness will cause the
fall of the Republican party.
2nd That the once brave and righteous
Democratic party has dwindled into a
party of cowardly expediency.
3rd. That parties and politicians, as
rule, will endeavor to effect their pur
poses-honestly, if honesty will effect
them; dishonesty, il there is no other al
tentative.
4th. That the choosing time, in poll
tics. has come.
Letus consider thepropositiOn. First
The present Imperial party-known
as Federalist then-had it's birth in the
convention of 1887, which framed the
Federal constitution under which we
live. In that convention the federalistiC
faction made stubborn ightfor a strong
centralized government, the meaning Of
which was that almost unlimited power
be vested in the President and in the Con.
gress. They were checked in their oligar-
chal notions, however, by another fac
ton that believed in State rights. In
Washington's administration, a few
wears later, this Capitalization idea
moulded itself into a powerful organiza-
ton. with Alexander Hamilton as its
greatest exponent. In these late years
the sceptre of this organizations pet no
ton has been committed to the care and
keeping of would-be-kings and their War
wicks. So naughty is NJ. A. Hanna that
when he was demonstrated with for some
of bis party's iniquitous doings he re-
piled "We know our business The
way the Administration has managed
Spanish and our Colonial affairs has
demonstrated the fact that it does not
need the guidance of a Federal constitu-
ton. The iniquitous Dingley tariff proves
that the Republican party does not care
who goes hungry and naked just so its
rich manufacturers and the manu-
facturers' pet employees are well
provided for. The late adminstra-
ton was uneasy because of the fact that
George S. Boutwell, has led off many in
fiuential Republicans and formed an Anti
Imperial party; but such uneasiness will
amount to but little. The Republican
party has from it's birth been tending TO-
wards Capitalization. pride goeth
before destruction, and an naughty spirit
before fall
Secondly. Prior to the '6Os the Demo
cratic party moulded Republican senti
ment, not alone for the United States