New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-18
DEMOCRATIC TENDENCIES

The recent election was terribly dlscoura pinp
TO the Democrats in that they were unable to
find in it any sure indication OF the policy
which would bring them success The party
advanced about as many different PRINCIPLES as
II made State platforms, and they all were re-
Jeeted with about equal emphasis by the peo-
pie. Even where the Democrats made gains
their platforms were so contradictory that no
lesson could be drawn from the success. Even
Mr.. Bryan admits that the elections left the is
sue between the adherents OF the Kansas City
platform and the reorganizers unsettled. So
Democrats who realize that they must get to-
gether in support OF some definite programme
are wondering what that programme will be.
1.-THE Springfield Republican" a paper in
general sympathy with Democracy, and hither-
10 with conservative Democracy, recently made
an interesting and significant forecast of Demo
cratic tendencies. After quoting "a high Re
publican official at Washington" as saying that
the Democratic party must become more rad
'ical even that it was under Bryan or it will
have 10 give way TO the Socialist party," "Tbe
Republican" expresses the opinion that this
may be a correct view of coming political align
ments- 1t thinks the Democracy is in a situa-
ton similar to that Of the Wing party in 1852
Then the Democratic party stood forth as the
open champion Of existing institutions. and the
Wing party played with expedients and lodges
till it died and made way for a radical and
courageous opposition. Now a new set of in
dustrial and social questions have arisen. and
the Republican party stands for conservative
action, as an extreme according to The Re
publican going no further than TO propose GER
tain regulative measures. Therefore, THE Re-
publican" urges:
The opposition party Of the day must either
a n 1F1i q Tor Of he
lation TO this question or it must stand for
deep-reaching treatment of the matter after the
manner of the Republican party of 1886 It
will initiate the Wings If it contents itself
merely with proposing tariff reduction as an
adequate or satisfactory protection against mo-
nopoly and privilege and II will invite the fate
OF the Whig party. The popular temper and
demand indicate that il must present a more
comprehensive and radical programme Of trust
regulation and public control of public service
monopoly or il will be forced to give wav 10
party which will. That party will not be the
Socialist party in the full sweep Of its present
cooperative demands, but il will be a party
advocating strong tentative steps in the direc-
toh OF puphe management OF monopoly There
seems 70 be a greater chance that the Demo
cratic party will be radicalized than that il
win break up into the building OF new party
though its present chaotic condition may seem
20 promise repetition OF the political expert
ence Of 1S52-'50
This is view which must give conservative
Democrats pause. They have been looking
back 90 Mr.. Cleveland and thinking that polit-
zeal salvation was to be found in tariff reform
and return 20 the Jeffersonian theory that the
best government was the one that governed
least. Now they are brought by a serious New
England journal face 10 face with the prospect
OF adopting Socialism as the only alternative 10
being displaced by a distinct Socialist party.
The suggestion is made. moreover, that this
cholce is more OF matter OF form than Of sub
stance The situation is chaotic enough to
promise a hpaal an% Il Il
destroy or build organizations that the new
forces are more likely 20 capture the old ma
chinery than 10 substitute, new.
many indications point TO the wisdom of this
prophecy. When men like HILL who have al.
ways posed as champions OF conservatism. 90
over TO socialism and advocate government
ownership OF the coal mines. a long step is