The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-20

based unon care for the interests of an
tile people as their aggregate condition
demands with no unjust favoritism for
any particular class; a party devoted 10
the plan OF popular government our
fathers ordained 1t and for the purposes
which they sought 10 establish; party
whose conservatism opposes dangerous and
un-American experiments and yet puts no
barrier in the way OF genuine and safe
progress. ought 10 be able to deal with
new questions in a manner quite consistent
with Democratic doctrine and stimulating
90 Democratic impulses and instincts.
Let not forget. however, that il is
not IN the search OF new and gaudy issues,
nor in the Interpretation OF strange visions
that strong and healthy Democracy dis
plays its splendid power. Another party
NAV thrive on the ever-shifting treatment
OF the ever-shifring moods OF popular rest
1essness or BY an insincere play upon un-
reasoning prejudice and selfish anticipa-
tiOn-but the Democratic party never.
Democracy has already in store the doc
trines for which il fights its successful
battles. and il will have them in store as
long as the people are kept from their own
and just as long as their rights and in
terests are sacrificed by favoritism in
government care. by inequality in govern
ment burdens, by the encouragement Of
huge Industrial aggregatiOns that throttle
individual enterprise, by the reckless waste
OF public money and by the greatest Of all
Injuries. as IL underlies nearly all others.
a system OF tariff taxation whose robbing
exactiOns are far beyond the needs OF eco
nomical and legitimate government ex-
pendlture. which purchas es support by ap-
peals 10 sordidness and greed and which
continually corrupts the public conscience.
What but infatuatiOn with the visage Of
defeat can explain the subordination Of
these things by Democrats when they pre-
pare for battle2
If we are to have a rehabilitation and
realienment Of our party in the sense sug-
gested, IL is important that il be done
openly and with mystery or double
meaning. Our people are too much on the
alert 10 accept political deliverances they
do not understand. and the enthusiasm Of
the Democratic rank and file does not
thrive on mystery.
THE Democratic harmony of which we
hear so much cannot be effectively con-
structed by mathematical rule nor by
formal agreement on the part Of those
who have been divided that there shall be
harmony. 1t grows up naturally when true
Democratic principles are plainly an
nounced. when Democratic purposes are
honestly declared and when, as a result Of
these. confidence and enthusiasm stir the
Democratic blood It was such harmony
as TINS, growing out OF such conditions
which. with the battle cry of 'TiIden and
reform, gave Us the Democratic victory
or 1876 against odds great enough TO dis
courage any but harmonious Democracy.
and against an opposing force brazen and
desperate enough TO take from US BY down.
right robbery what the voters Of the land
gave TO us.
II believe the times point to another
Democratic opportunity as near at hand.
but / believe we shall reap the fruits of il
only by following the line of conduct
have indicated. IN any event, / have
comforting and abiding faith in the inde-
structibility of the party which has so
many times shown it's right to live and its
power for good, and / am sure the reserve
OF patriotic Democratic wisdom Will at
some time declare itself in the rescue of
our country and our party.
My days Of political activity are past,
and shall not hereafter assume to partici-
pate IN party councils. / absolutely
content with retirement, but I still have
oJ2e burning. anxious political aspiration.
/ want TO see before L die the restoration
TO perfect health and supremacy OF that
Democracy whose mission IL Is to bless
the people-a Democracy true to itself. un-
tempted by clamor, unmoved by the gusts
of popular passion and interrupted by
offers OF strange alHance-the Democracy
or patriotism, the Democracy of safety, the