The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-11-28
DEMOCRATIC PARTY poucy.

marked III tho P"V""h'
house, and if they are to be credited
to the succession Of Senator German
to the position of director'seneral'
similar change may be expected to
disnlay itself eventually in the senate
II any enforcement of party dicipline
is fesaible in that body, Instead OF
mere emotional antagonism to any
thing done by the administration
there are sigus of sober calcultion oil
party interest guiding the policy oil
onposition and limiting it, scope. Such
policy was plainly indicated in the
course of the Democratic party in the
house with regard to the Cuban reel
procity treaty. There were deforml-
flies in that measure produced by SEN
atorial intrigue that were attractive
subjects of frothing rhetoric and tu-
tile heroics of undying opposition.
Under the advice of Congressman
Williams, of Mississippi, the new
Democratic leader of the house, the
party wisely resisted the provocation'
and instead of antagonizing on side
issues a measure whose general pur-
port was approved by national senti-
nent. contented itself with putting
iself on record concerning the side
issues and then supporting the main
proposition despite defects which
could not be removed. The Demo
cratic party has gained distinctly III
nredit by this behavior, ard at the
same time discounted a Bourbon fac
lion upon the Republican side which
was eking by hook or crook to de-
feat the legislation.
Another manifestation of the new
quality of Democratic leadership is
the action of Mr.. Williams in intro
ducing resolution declaring that she
house views with pleasure and heart
ilv indorses initiative steps by the
president towards reciprocity. This
shrewdly points the wedge at the
split which exists in the Republican
party over the reciprocity policy-a
split that has been kept opening by
the pressure of interests OF greater
Importance. but which will undoubt-
eddy present an issue as soon as pub
lie sentiment regards it as safe to con-
slider any change of party trusteeship
in the management Of national
affairs. The reciprocity policy in
itiated by Blaine, recommended by
Mckinley and approved by Roosevelt,
was never rejected by the Republican
party through the regular processes
of party procedure, but was simply
suppressed by the senate, and If the
Democratic party had been sensible
opposition party instead Of a mere
doct1inal porpaganda,a political issue
of the first magnitude would have
been raised over the affair. In be-
coming an agency of public opinion,
the Democratic party will be able to
force this issue into practical politics
and its present course indicates the
ability and the intention to do SO.
The supreme test Of Democratic
capacity to rise to the emergency
will, however, be afforded by the
Panama canal affair. This is just
the sort of occasion which tempts
weak and i'll. balanced natures to
throw fit, and the spluttering ex-
citement shown by the Post illus
trates the sort of thing which mig hit
have been expected of the Democratic
party under former leadership, but
so far the Democratic party in con-
gress has retained It's self-possession
and the general tone OF the leading
Democratic papers has been patriotic
and sensible. The case presents spe-
cial difficulties, as it is to be disposed
of by the senate, and in the senate in
dividual c.price and arrogance have
unobunded opportunities. Reports of
the speeches in the Democratic sena-
otrial caucus indicate that the old
spirit of bovine impulse is rampant,
eager to begin paving the earth and
believing and blind frenzy of excite
ment, but so far it has not escaped
control and the efforts of Senator
German to handle the situation will
be watched with keen interest. If
the Democratic party is brought
safely through this crisis and avoids
committing itself to policy of an
tagonism to national interests, it will
acquire an influence as an opposition
party which will greatly affect the
political situation and modify the