The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-14
AT LoGERHEADs IN THE CONGRESS

The news from Washington is not Of
q very encouraging character for DEM
ccrats. There is discord among the
democrats in the congress. there is no
defined policy o. ascertained principles
and no leader. 1t is all loose n IAN
gled. 1t NAV be that the conditions are
not so bad as reported. but there is no
doubt as to a want of harmony and
agreement as to a well defined policy.
In the senate the democrats are anxious
for a clear cut policy for their party.
We see it stated hat young senator's
like Bailey and Culberson, Of Texas, and
Dubois. of Idaho. complain that the old
er democrats. under the leadership OF
Jones. of Arkansas. never had a policy
concerning the Philippines, but have
played second fddles to the republicans.
These younger men want a definite pol
icy, and one that will bring them into
open fighting with the republicans.
The and statesmen outside
like Bryan and Hill and others have
defined a true, sound policy Excluding
silver as a prime issue) and yet there
are disagreement, disorder, and a bad
plight for the party. 1t is stated by
some republican correspondent that
fights are ahead among the democrats.
Senators pitch into Jones, the supposed
leader from Arkansas, and the east
and west antagonize. The outlook is
not comfortable. The real democrats
who stood by the flag and did not flop
or desert are not certain as to the fu-
ture. But the republicans are not SO
united as some may hin There are
some men an the party who have
something of conscience and a regard
for the welfare of the people. They are
inclined to do right in some things and
would do right but for party pressure.
There is whining from sheets thar
brought the miseries and misfortunes
upon the country. But for their help
there would be no such conditions as
now exist-no ~conquests, no imperial
sim. no robber tariff. no accursed
trusts. to devour and smite. The New
Orleans states is reminiscent a little
and says there is no use to whine. We
copy:
when congress assembled in Decem-
Der, after the presidential election in
1900. Senator Vest. of Missouri. made a
speech in the senate and gave utter
ance to words which the country is
now beginning to realize were pro-
phetic. He asserted in the most i'm
pressive manner that the republican
marty was drunk with victory and
would stop at nothing. 1t has already
cast overheard the declaration Of indie
pendence and the federal constitution.
What il will do next remains to be
seen. In the meantime. however, we
must confess that the distressed condi-
ton of mind of The Boston Herald and
other newspapers that aided the party
of imperialism and absolutism to WIN
its victory, does not appear very strong
ly TO our sympathy. These newspapers
supported the republican national tick
ct in 1900 in spite of the fact that they
were face to face with all the dangers
and evils of imperialism. They helpeo
TO strike down true republican nj
true democratic forms of government,
and there is little use for them TO
whine at this time over the
they wrought, but on the contrary they
should take their medicine like men,.
That smites lots of newspapers in the
south that elected MCKINLEY twice and
made Roosevelt president. They a
think over what the State says.