The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-23

nor ever departing very far from the
highways of public affairs, government
itself being largely an affair of COM
promises.
Disappointed as many Democrats were
in Mr.. observation-disclosures in his sec
ond administration, from which they
hoped so much-can any thoughtful Dem
ocrat say that he did not gain something
from his elevation to the Presidency?
The South once more became working
part of the government The Republican
party was checked in its reckless dsre-
gard OF consequences. The voters were
given a sight of the books. The politi-
clans were made to understand that the
PEOPLE still rule. Was all this nothing?
Now, if, with the load they have to car
ry, the Republicans win in 1904 because of
our insuffcioncy, they will not go out I'M
til the corruptions and dissensions newt
able TO long dominancy drive them out at
the end OF something like revolution
they are likely to remain in power for
a generation at least. Suppose we can
not get all that the most uItra-Demo-
Gratis want in 1904; suppose we cannot re-
unite the party on any radical assertion
OF mere doctrinal politics, is it not worth
the while of conscientious and thinking
men to stay the tide of absolutism which
is stealing upon the administration of
every department of the public service in
its present hands, to get at the truth of
what is going on in the Philippines, and
establish a vantage ground for such
changes of policy as the good sense and
good feeling of the people may decide af-
ter we have taken stock, as it We're, and
Incl HKhor
In Mr.. Payne and Mr.. Root he has two
very able advisers and friends Moody.
the to-be successor of Long. is said to
know his business The objective point
seems to be to unite the young men of
the party against the old, or older, men,
1t makes a very pretty quarrel as it
stands, but behind it stalk the uuknow-
able in the tropics, the invisible in the
Philippines, with several revenue districts
at home to be heard from.
DEMOCRATIC ISSUE AND OPPORTU-
NIFTY.
1t is easier for a Democrat to see and
describe the Republican dilemma than Cor
Democrats to take advantage of it.
Several obstacles need to be overcome.
A certain jealousy, ever more or less ex-
istent, between House and Senate;
certain reluctance to make personal con-
cessions, sometimes involving personal
sacrifices; a certain lack of the essential
elements of the initiative-to say moth
ing about individual rivalries and other
friction-make the party caucus at the
very best an exceedingly urgly least to
bride and to saddle, to mount and to
ride.
In the case of party in opposition-so
divided as to opinions, and, as a conse-
quence of reverses incident to factionisn, |
so wanting in ipline--tactical move
ment is bound to be weighted by every
manner Of handicap.
AS events are lining up in Congress, the |
paramount issue, the issue of issues, in |
1904 will be the Philippines. We shall |
hear something about ship subsidies and |
he tariff, of course We shall hear some |
thing about Cuba and Porto Rico and |
Hawaii, OF course. Whether the sugar |
rust is to rule US, or the beet ring shall |
make the slaves of US the vassals of |
vegetable and the slaves OF a chemical |
Dooley observes-will vary |
The tones of the Aeolian harp of popular |
)fdtoTy anu contribute niue huhoi ~
he otherwise sombre. prhaps acrimonious
character of the canvass. But about the |
philippines all that can be said for and !
against the Republican party will range |
tself
The Republicans claim absolute SOW
ereignty over the Philippines. Theyf
propose to do precisely as they please
with the Filipinos.~ They have set up a |
half civil and half military,
1t Manila. They proclaim the perma-
lency of this and declare that its i'm
oeachment is high treason. Criticism in
Congress is assault upon our soldiers in |
he field. Even Mr.. Hoar is told that if
ne said in Luzon what he says in the |
Senate he would be tried by drumhead |
court martial and shot.