New-York tribune., 1902-07-22
ST. GEORGE AND DRAGON
DEMOCRATIC PARTY THE FIRST. PRO-
LECTION THE SECOND, SAYS
EX-SECRETARY Villas

Milwaukee. July H.-William F. Villas who was
Secretary of the Interior in President Cieveland's
Cabinet, was recently asked by A. +. Warden
chairman of the Democratic State Central Commits
tee. 10 give his opinion respecting political cOnd
tions the possibilities OF Democratic harmony and
the assurances of the party's restoration power
and the relief OF the people from Republican mall
administration" Mr.. Villas replied to-day In part
follows:
broad view the of public affairs OF our
political history than that aehieyement Of good IS
of its own dead and pushing on undisturbed to the
ments on past issues. the Democratic party remains
to-day the hope of the peopie OF this land On no
cue from the menacing conditions that beset US.
Any can see who will see the truth that all the
upon our government TO win special gain at the
cost of the people at large, are TO be found sup
porting the party now in PGwer for & the Demo
The truth remains that IL ever deliverance Is TO
come from the rapacious combina tlons now in real
power which HI We put 70 shame our national prin-
must spring from a partv which will unite the
people in defence of common welfare, in unainch-
Ing hostility to its insidious and powerful enemies
The overrung need is OF cOncentra tiOn of opinion
and cooperation % in political action by the people
industry there has arisen such a system Of COM
ness management to Obtain mastery of the people
as was never before seen in this or any other land
any parallel. unless in Oriental countries
but T few Years If n 20 1nchecked. before sub
tantiaIly the entire range OF manufacture. mining,
masters and millions Of employees. the latter con-
strained to trade only at what may be called prac
tcalIy ''company's stores and all agriculture will
be heplessy cnsnared. II ready is to no small
extent Liberty In the pursuit of livelihood will
well nigh have disappeared, for. with the devices
nanacie the condemned with ball and chains.
The people must aim their stroke at the OF
Incidents merely attack particular evils. begin
lawsuits against some special conspiracy. The
was not the capture OF towns or the sUbjugaiOn OF
districts but the destruction of the armies OF
sion, must be ours in the intending conflict. The
victory to be won which alone Is worth winning. Is
the overthrow of the grand central governing
spracy Of protection. When that browning mercy
snail be VOuchSa1ed the very purincaJion or the na
tOn's soul by the fires OF the strife will easily
able il to subdue the lesser forms in which Satan
is embodied in our national life
The contest cannot be longer postponed but with
the utmost peril to the rights of COuntTymen
Though master now. protection knows its danger.
every 'cOigne Of vantage" and. ever. both
sides of the field II is making alliances. con-
power.
1t is a painful record We have written on the
pages OF three years past, for Americans who lool
10 Washington, Jefferson. Madison. the At!amSeS
and their cOmpeers OF the Declaration and the
stttuttOn for the rule OF national conduct that
SnOuld enngnten tne word with the love ana trutu
OF liberty and that same must yet be wiped OF by
future treatment Of the unhappy FihplnOS accord
Ing 10 the principles nave inherited or, 50
surely Justice rules the world America viii bit
terly for IL in resulting suffering OF her own
But not at once can all national wrongs be
tb,-a borDa ,I1r cOfIutrvrnen
challenge relief fear distraction Protection
l. 0uICk 10 profit bv IT. Its shrewd counsels have
tary glory and found its account in the controversy
over imperialism. We may justly hold protecton
craftily keep agitation of such questions alive; and
We may be sure also the careful observer cannot
array OF parties on any issue arising from them
that may imperil its own party strength