The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-06-04
A PARTY WITHOUT PRINCIPLES.
lst. Louis Globe. pemocrat. !

incessant skirmishing for an issue the
Democratic party has made no prog
ress in that direction. Everything it
tries slips from its grasp after short
discussion. From present appearances
IL must fall back upon free trade, for
nothing Democrats have ever done
against trusts entities their party to
be taken seriously on that question.
The Democratic difficulty may be
illustrated by the case of Porto Rico.
The island was supposed TO be an
important issue two years ago, and
was the first special subject treated
in the Democratic national platform
Of 1900. That plank is positively
funny now, for no one thinks Of quiet,
contented, prosperous Porto Rico in
connection with current politics. Yet
the last Democratic platform denounc-
ed its treatment by Republican con-
gress as "a bold and open violation of
the nations organic law and a fragrant
breach Of the national good faith"
which "dishonors the American peo-
pie by repudiating solemn pledge,
and "dooms to poverty and distress a
people whose helplessness appeals
with peculiar force to our justice and
magnanimity. Resembling words,
and offered as meaning something two
years ago. but known today to be but
rhetorical chat.
In spite OF vague, reactionary talk
about the Philippines the Democratic
party dsres not come out squarely |
for the surrender Of the sovereignty |
OF the United States in the islands
Republicans would welcome that is /
sue. The purpose Of the people to
keep the Philippines as part Of our
territory was sufficiently defined in
the last preside initial election. but IL
the Democrats want il Numbered in |
louder tones they can easily be ac-
commodatsd in 1904. Before advo-
eating surrender they should read
the speech OF one Of their own num-
Der, Senator Morgan of Alabama,
delivered last Thursday. He gave
full credit to the Republican posi-
ton for justice, equity and correct
ness, and went so far as to say that
he would definitely arrange to have
the Philippines enter regular ter
ritorisl probation, with view to
eventual statehood. No Republican
platform has yet taken so long a
look into the future, bat, as the Re-
publicans of Ohio have just declared,
"our title to the. islands is IS perfect
as was that Of Spain after nearly 400
years of undisputed possession, and,
in short, "our flag is in the Phil
ippines, and will there remain.
Inability to find an Issue should
open the eyes of the Democratic party
to an important fact. No issue pre-
sents itself because none that Is prac-
ticable exists. In the proper restric-
tion and regulation of trusts the Re-
publican party has done more aud will
continue TO do more than can he ex-
pected from a Democratic aiministra-
tion. Free trade alone remains as q
distinctive issue, and it is not hard to
forsee what choice the people will
make when invited to cast aside the
Dingley tariff with its era OF unex-
ampled prosperity and go back to the
Wilson German period of business con
fusion and calamity. Abuse OF the
army is futile as well as disgraceful;
charges of Imperialism are stale and
tedious; Democratic financial theories
are a spent force; Cuba has been per-
mitted to set up for itself according TO
promise; war taxes are about to van
ish; the treasury is abundantly sup
piled; month by month the public
debt is cut down; free trade is totter-
ing in its British stronghold and the
in the philippines is sub
stantially at an end. The best thing
the Democratic party can do is to adj
nit its hopeless division, recognize AN
era of good feeling, and take q rest.