The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1902-11-13
The Strength of Democracy.

IL is not 100 soon TO take AZ lehsb
preliminary survey of the field Of 1904.
The elections of last Tuesday may fair
ly be regarded as a reconnaissance in
force-driying in of outposts, as it
were, and n clearing of the ground in
preparation for the final struggle, In
deed, those elections have so defined
the democratic position, its weak spots
and its strong-holds, its depressions
and its eminences, that survey is lit
orally thrust upon the democracy.
One fact in particular has been de-
veloped, which is that the democracy
is stronger without false prophets and
questionable alliances than it ever was
with them. The wild-eyed doctrinaire,
the rapt schismatic, the furious pro-
pagandist, all in turn, and sometimes
all together, have had their day, and
it has always been a dark day for the
Democratic party. We have never
emerged from one of these combina-
tions without some loss of prestige or
self-respect. We have never operated
on the safe ground of straight Democ-
racy and been the worse for it, The
campaign just now closed has a lesson
for all who care to look for it. The
party has been stronger and more CO.
herent everywhere than for many years
past, and its vitality and influence
have been recovered exactly in proper
tion to the resumption of its time
honored attitude and dignity. If we
need for 1904 both a warning and q
guide we have them in plain view, An
examination OF the facts and figures of
1902 will give us all necessary material
for the chart. Democrats now under
stand that they must get back into the
straight path blazed out by the pio-
neers. The old creed, simple, honest,
clear and strong, is the democratic
covenant. Under no other has the
party ever gone to victory.
We know, then, how to recruit the
army of 1904; we know the only ban.
ner it can follow with any hope of sue
cess. Who is to be its leader ? Is there
logical" chieftain, or is any straight
out democrat eligible to the command
of straightout democracy?
There will doubtless be men who will
revert to Mr.. Cleveland, who was a
the head Of the ticket when the demo
Gratis made their first national winning
in fifty years. 1t is a superficial con
clusion to set the successful maj
above the men who have been unsuc
cessful, but it is perfectly human
: process nevertheless. A sufficient mum
9 Der of democrats are telling themselve
that "Grover Cleveland is the man o
destiny" to give him a place i'll tn,
column of mention. He quarreled will
his party, to be sure-hesays the part.
quarreled with him. At any rate, the,
separated in 1896, if, indeed, the raj
9 had not been made before.
t Among other democrats who are, o.
} have been, prominent in public life
, and of whom men are now talking il
this connection, we may mention Mr.
! Olney and Mr.. German, both men o
= unusual qualities and powerful equip
r ment. Mr.. Olney is rugged charac
e ter, forceful, direct, anything but
2 diplomat, never yet suspected of an.
a of the infrmities that come of softness
q He is brave, though, and clear heade,
s and patriotic, and if elected he woul,
s rule wisely and on a strictly American
= basis, which would be very welcome a
e O change.
8 Of Mr.. German, who, with one brief
lamentable hiatus, has been democra
cy's real leader in congress for man
q years, and who will resume that leader
q ship after the 4th of March next, it
+ hardly necessary to say more than tina
he would make an ideal standard bearer
He not only possesses the Temperament
r necessary to successful party direction
= he really understands from top to bot
= tom the questions which parties hay
to deal with. He is no strolling noun
" tebank with prophylactic for ever
n public i'll. He is a wise and profundl
. informed statesman, with conviction
J. based on knowledge and purpose
rock-rooted in patriotic love.
a SO, with a democracy reunited
. purged of its errors, pledged to til
maintenance of law and order, an
n bound by its declarations and by tn
# known character of its candidate to VI
4 hold to national prosperity and defen
4 society against all its enemies, the log
v cal leader of the party-whoever he b
should win in 1904. Cincinnati En-
}. quirer.
J. H. Y. Hughes and 7. d. Arnold, tw
y of our local legal lights, are in Johnso
n City this week attending the trial G
d the Tyler Harmon contested electio
u case, which will be decided in feV
o days. Nothing is known about it her