davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
The Democratic Platform.

one of the immortal things. as mum
dane matters are counted, is the dem
ocratic party Neither time, nor
chance. nor defeats. nor sudden fren-
zies. can destroy it. The foundations
OF the party are those few plain stern
principles Of popular sovereignty for
the dominance of which mankind
have struggled in all ages and all ma
tons
The democracy may or may not win
control of the national administration
in the coming election Certainly 1t
cannot possibly gain the senate before
1907 by the most optimistic calcula-
tion more probably not until 1909,
after the presidential election OF 1908
But in any event the democratic party
will strengthen with time. AS its
basic principles are immutable ele-
ments OF the political faith OF man
kind, there will always be a mighty
host of patriots in America who viii
do battle for them.
The main question Of democratic ac-
zion next year Will be the platform.
II is not well enough to sheer at ma
tional platforms as inconsequential
and bOmbaStic pronunCiamentos-
sounding large and meaning little.
The truth is that the bulk OF sensible
voters have great regard for platform
declarations and expect parties TO be
faithful to them. In a very peculiar
sense the entire nation will look more
curiously and carefully to the demo-
cratic platform of 1904 than 10 any
platform Of either party since 1892.
Unless the platform is so framed
as TO at once challenge the respect
and confidence OF the great body Of
voters in the nation it will be a hard
task to commend it to them after
wards by arguments and spellbinding
hurrahs. The times demand of the
democracy a platform that will be
simple. statesmanlike and thoroughly
in keeping with the solid needs of the
nation
The platform of 1876 upon which
Mr. Tilden Was elected to the presi-
dency. was model of wisdom and
brevity. 1t said what the party meant
and the temper of the party combined
with the personnel of the ticket won
for it popular majority that was only
nullfed by ungodly frauds and a
packed electoral commission
1t is perfectly possible that the
democracy next year can from the is
sues now before the county-and
none Of which are promised settle
ment by the stand pat republican man
ayers platform that will ring like
the short, sharp compelling blasts of
the horn of Rhoderick Dhu Thou
sands upon thousands of honest yot-
ers who have abandoned faith in the
popular purposes Of the republican
party win flock to the democratic
standard as the highlandcrs did at
sight Of the flaming cross Of Malise.
We believe the work Of the convention
next year will be thus wise and the
result of the campaign beyond doubt
from its commencement
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02

with the democrats by large major
lty 10 make that issue in the face
OF PLAIN record of republican ras-
calitles. not confined to one instance,
Or one branch OF the public service,
but ramifying many Of them, is as le-
gitlmate moral political issue as any
ever raised-and is one that ought to
be raised when warranted.
1t cuts no figure that long tenure
of control by democrats would event
ually develop democratic rascals quite
as bold and impudent as those now on
exhibit in the republican scayenger
dump. But when that shall happen it
will be time to unload the dominant
democracy for something better
But it is neither fair nor according
to human equities to argue against
giving the democrats control Of the
government for a finicly fear OF the
rascals 1t might develop in the far f'l-
ture. 1t is dread too much akin to
that of the old beldame who laid
awake o nights to prevent the CAL
from chewing up her grindstone,
The issue of good government in
wolves the principle of thou shalt not
steal and we yet think the democratic
party is in duty bound to make that
issue strongly next year.
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
Sail on, Senator Morgan.

AS Columbus, in that master poem
by Joaquin Miller, replied to the mas
ter of his flag ship, sail on, and ON,
and on" so does the great voice OF
Americanism say to Senator Morgan,
in the isthmian canal crisis, sail on,
and on, and on"
The president has produced the con-
ditiOnS of the crisis and his ultlmatum
to the country and the world is "Pana-
ma or nowhere" The interests OF the
United States have already been
voiced in extant legislation and spells
Panama, or Nicaragua" Now that
Panama has been made inaccessible by
the action of those who control its dis
position, ii that is to be obtained
peaceably. the only plain sailing for
us that remains is to turn to the Mica
ragua route. Otherwise there is no
hope except in new version OF the
Polk ultimatum of 'fifty-four forty, or
t1ght!" But will Roosevelt stand for
Panama or fight
The people of the union say mo,
and he even will hardly think twice
of pushing matters to that point. He
is resting secure in the notion that he
has five years and half more Of the
presidency ahead of him and that dur
ing that period Colombia Will get an
appetite for our offer and consent to
do business with us on our terms.
But the question to be dealt with is
not the slow coercion of Colombia, but
the creation of new and needful condi-
tons for Columbia-our own country.
Our commerce remains fearfully handl-
capped by the continued delay OF the
building of the canal Events are on
the eve Of swift movement in the Far
East that may affect our relations to
that vast future trade lei Dorado. SO
long as that neck of land down in the
tropics remains uncut our naval fleet
must be divided The trip OF the Ore
gon around the Horn demonstrated by
the greatest possible argument our
need for the strategic power of the
interoceanic canal
The south. more than any other sec
ton of the union, has an imminent and
immense interest in the construction
OF that great waterway. We produce
the materials, raw and finished, that
are most desirable TO the four hun
bred millions of people in the Orient
who are to become buyers OF such
products and to reach whose trade we
demanded and are holding at vast cost
the commercial vantage point OF the
Philippines.
Senator Morgan should not hesitate
to press the canal matter to the front
in the senate. Democrats in the house
should assist to the same end and this
administration should be forced to be
gin the canal or discover itself to the
country as the marplot of the anti
canal railway trust Sail on, senator;
he nnnnln arc with Nnul
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
stick n Jeffersaninnism.

In a recent interview ln Tire Wash
mgtou Post we find sir. Jefferson
Chandler. am active ana influential
democrat talking hors, sense of the
thrce-N brand His prelude is that
'Iho salvation of thls country hinges
on the maintenance off the old demo
cratic doctrines cNpoundcd by Thomas
Jefferson" on that plank every DEM
uclat in the land, whether a regular
brave or backsNdcr can lineup
without struggle Wlh his conscience
or his consistency
Rejtct than amy other man who has
ever laid down principles for the
democracy of America Thomas Jotfer-
son understood the scope the charac.
Ter and tho limitations that the makers
of our governmental system intended
80 should have Mr Chandler is emf
ncutly right. then, 10 saving that the
tendency toward Capitalization of pow
cr at Washington must be combatted
al every point The democracy alone
is in position historic and by present
nnpositions to set forward a popular
revolt against the slow and prepensc
republican work III Wrestling the con
stimtion and setting up in the capital
partisan imperialism such as the
fathers OF the republic never dreamed
would ever be attempted by any party
i'm the republic.
On the rights of the states to man
age their own local concerns Mr.. Chan
der is equally emphatic and special
ICES the right of every state to pre-
scribe the qualifications of its voters.
That right has not been Invested or
surrendered by the act OF any state
and constitutionally the general gov
crnment cannot absorb and exercise
II as a federal function. For the saliva
lion of this state right the common
wealths of the north will. if forced to
tho issue. fight as boldly and strongly
as the states of the south.
Mr.. Chandler is mistaken when he
nredfcts that the ascendency of the
white race in America is to furnish
tho paramount issue of the presiden-
t;al campaign next year. The south
docs not desire to make the national
camnaign on that issue because il be-
lieves the question of white sIprem-
acv in the states and the union is a
settled question. 1t can only be unset
lied bv the action of the republican
party and that party can be trusted
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02

not to challenge the instincts of the
American voters Of the north on that
issue. Republican newspapers say
they are ready and eager for that is-
sue, but they do not mean what they
say 1t is all bravado and bluff.
The southern states, as to which
only the issue could be plausibly made,
have settled the dangerous elements in
their suffrage situations to their own
safety. The settlements thus made
can only be overthrow by the SUI
preme court of the United States con-
STRUNG the constitution adv Irsely to
suffragsts would rather go to the
everlasting torrid place than to that
tribunal with their "one niger, one
vote" claim.
The democracy of 1904 should wise
" beware of unnecessary issues. If
we could write the platform we would
make its whereas the famous creed
that Jefferson inserted In his first pres
idential address. In it are found the
automatic democratic principles which
apply as pertinently to the problems OF
this day as to those of his day. In
times like these when the party IN
'power is lawlessly arrogant and using
the federal powers with reckless def
ance OF the constitution there can be
found no better chart than Jefferson's
for the great opposing democracy.
The cry of every enemy of republican,
ism should be stick to Jei1ersonlan-
icru -
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
What Does II AL Mem?

Recently the New York Central rail
way peremptorily discharged 1900
men. The Pennsylvania system dis
charged some 1900 Down on the
Southern Pacific 900 more have been
laid off indefinitely Ont in Mon
tana 10000 miners are suddenly
thrown out Of work And these are
only the big items in list of labor
reductions that in the aggregate will
probably reach over 100000 and means
loss to the daily wage-bought living
and comforts of half million people.
Are these some Of the fine results
of republican prosperity for which the
people are being everywhere advised
by that party's spellbinders to stand
pat? Can Uncle Mark Hanna arise in
q labor conference and explain the
consistency of sustaining the parry
under whose regime these wholesale
lock-outs of labor are occurring? What
explanation can Secretary Shaw make
to the hungry shiyering households
Of many of these men to convince
them that their hard winter lot is one
of the blessings Of his financial sup
port Of the spectators in Wall street?
Will President Roosevelt order his
secretary of the treasury to go to the
relief of these discharged laborers as
he did when he directed him to lend
the money gamblers $40.o00,oo0 or
more Of the peoples money? We
think not The Wall street gamble
has come to the cash-up stage and the
-I,.4:
money is being hidden away enter
prises calling for labor are being can
celled and the working men are the
scapegoats of the whole cataclysm
Truly the republican party is up
against series of very ominots and
dangerous interrogation points with
thousands Of voters behind each Of
them
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
Settle the Indian Problem.

Through Brother Smiley and his
Lake Mohonkers, with the cooperation
oil the Indian Rights Association,
many depredations upon the proper
ties and rights OF the reservation In
dams, by the help OF agents OF the
interior department, have peeh
brought to light The revelations
show another broad streak OF rotten
ness in the administration OF the gov
eminent by the republican sarcophlles
10 whom all helpless flesh looks ankle
The Indian, however. While a pa
tient sufferer, is also shreWd retrleY-
er. He hires good lawyers 10 present
as wen paid for what he loses as any
mis- little bill Of damages TO the gov
eminent every time and probably gets
party with whom Uncle sam has 10
deal. In fact, Mr. Lo owns the best
lands in the country. on the reserVa-
lions he is fed blanketed and general
ly made comfortable as loafer at
public expense, and finally has $40
GOO 600 to his credit in the national
treasury.
The indian knows well enough how
to finance his affairs with the govern
ment and all he needs to become alert
enough to his interests to take care OF
them as fully as any other citizen is
10 be segregated from his tribal lie
individualized in his property hold
ines made to take his money out OF
The public treasury and TO hustle for
his living and his rights as the rest Oh
us do.
The only sensible policy that the
government can pursue is to wash It's
hands of the whole indian business.
Settle up with him honestly, give him
his homestead, and it is a safe wager
that he win soon shed his blanket ana
get out and mako good as useful and
safe American.
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
The People Will Hold Him Accounta-

That little Oliver Twist layout call
ed the Republic Of Colombia is kick
ing up it's contemptuous heels in the
very teeth of President Roosevelt. It
has sent him back the Hay-Herran
treaty with the demand for SIS, 100000
more cash and the right to rig itself
up in its sovereignty and sandbag
every craft that goes through the
ditch
What amazes the country is that the
beal-eating and mountain-lion masti-
eating occupant OF the white house IS
willing to stand for the marmozet
antics of the saddle-colored grafters
who infest the panel-hOuse capitol at
Bogota This bold fin de steele Paul
Jones of 1898, who wanted to smash
the Spanish meet III Spanish ports be
fore a declaration of war, and who
after bringing San Juan hill into his
trophy kit, and boarding the lion of
Detroit in his war-office den, now act
ually presents the sorry spectacle OF
being buldozed to a standstill by a
lot Of cheap greasers with gall enough
10 fill a finished Panama canal.
Why are these things thus? Simply
because the president is hungering for
another four years in the white house
and fears the power of the transcontl-
mental railway trust 1t is to please
this gang of grafters that the presi-
dent ignores the law, deties the wishes
of the people anC postpones the needs
and victories Of American commerce
In all this he frames an issue which
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
Tho Rlne Back Sneller.

The corner stone OF the education
of the older generations of Americans
now living was the old-tme bluo.bacll
spelcr of Webster Drilled and hicll-
Dried through that inspired lexicon OF
thc American language as it should be
spelled and written the sure lOunda-
ton was laid in the minds of the pu-
pills for any breadth OF after liberal
education
Nowadays our children arc shut off
from the tcncent bIuc-back spcller
and forced by the faddistic educators
OF the day TO pay from 40 to 60 cents
for fancy, pictured and phoncticizcd
Language books that are delights TO
the artistic eye and daiiy-dealing TO
the children who are set to studying
them Some of the specimens We
have lately seen would be good refer
ence and gnide-books to a post-gradu-
ate student of scientific philOlogy, hut
for learning 4 seven-year-old child to
90 with understanding precision from
a-b-ah to "incomprehensibility they
are the veriest gold bricks ever sold
TO Reubens come to town.
The Constitution knows that it
speaks for a majority of the common
sense parents and tax payers of Geor-
gia when it appeals 10 our school au-
thorities not TO forget old principles
in the mad rush for modern iads. Our
people need and want education, they
are perfectly willing to pay for it,
they do not need preachments OF the
value TO the state of an intelligent
citizenship But they want what they
set out TO get for their children at fair
price and not at eXorbitant cost
What the state Of Georgia needs is
adherence within reasonable bounds
to the plan of public education enjoin-
/ ed by the constitution of the state.
The section of the constitution to
! which we refer says:
There shall be a thorough system Of
! common schools for the education Of Chi
! dren in the elementary branches of an
! English education only, as nearly uni
! form as practicable, etc.
The state needs the faithful educa-
ton of its children in those funda-
! mentals of an English education that
will equip them for the ordinary re-
! duirements of daily life The first and
/ oath bound duty of the state and
| county school officials is to give thor
ough instruction in spelling. reading.
writing and arithmetic. Our children
ought not to be cheated out of their
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
The President and the Politician

Inc president ana the 1OtlllCAdu
The president and the politician are
not one. but two. They bear too often
the same relation 10 each other as did
Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. In this coun-
try sensible people know how 10 cas-
lily associate them. as Senator Cor
man. the stGtesman-suEgeon did il his
recent speech in Maryland. He took
an opportune occasion to tlay the poll
tician OF the white house in way that
has aroused 10 rabid bowls every syco-
plant coyote in the republican camp
At safe distances they are all up on
their launches and bowling at him IN
angry chorus He hit the raw place
ana the thrill of the pain peryades the
whole host
When So able and astute news
paper as The Philadelphia Press can
say OF Senator Germans arrangement
of President Roosevelt's descent from
the presidency to become the partisan
political dictator Of the republican
campaign in Maryland. that;
This out-IIerods Hcrod II SURPRISES
Herr Most or Emma Goldman II over
tons the teachings which hrod the pistol
of McKinlcys assassin
the hurt must he deep and wide as
Mercutio's And it ought 10 be just
as sufficient,
The Constitution repeats again that
it for one. holds all possible respect
Tor the presidential office and always
as much as is fairly possible for any
American who occupies it. SO long
as that gentleman acte as a president
is under solemn covenant to act and
supports in his person and conduct
the impartial dignities CT his office we
will always respect both.
But If The Phil delphia Press. or
any one else. thinks that Mir. Roose-
welt. self-divested OF his presidential
dienities and doing a common politi-
clans stunts in campaigns here, there
and everywhere is COINS TO be given
immunity from criticism and freedom
from attack. such thinker mas many
other thinks coming TO him
Senator German was in his place
ana far within his rights when he ar
raigned Mt Roosevelt as an intermed-
der in the state campaign in Mary
land To characterize his rank parti-
san activities as they deserve is not
10 make Senator German pariah fit
only for classification with John Most,
Emma Goldman and the unspeakable
Czolgosz Whoever SO Classics him
abandons sanity engages in brutalism
and seeks 10 set up standards of pres
ldential autocracy. audacity and au-
thority that the American people have
never before Witnessed and will not
bear with meekncss.
If Mr. Roosevelt desires the respect
and protection OF his presidential off,
fee. he must occupy ii and not sally
out TO spread himself and his political
domination over The whole map of the
states Senator German is but one OF
many millions OF men iu America who
think alike ON this subject and Will
back up their thinking with their bal
lots
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02

of its advantages by the transship-
ments of freight from the interiors
north and south of her to the canal
docks.
While a great scheme is being push
ed to secure the permanent leveeing
of the Mississippi river and the 18th
milan canal is bound to be built. now
is the accepted time for Jacksonville
and all Florida to get behind this
splendid connecting link project
Georgians, we are sure. will lend all
their aid in working for its accom-
plishment What say our Florida
friends?
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
A Word from Bre'r Williams.

l don't worry bout no high seat in
heaven. ] des wants ter slip in whar
dey won't ak too many questions.
Eff it hadn't been fer apples Adam
wouldn't a had no trouble in Paradise
Howsomever, l. ain t got no fault ter find
wid EN-.
Religion is so free dat lots er folks got
de idee dat dey kin pick it up in de
street any time dey wants it.
De man what shouts de loudes in meet
in is dc one what got de least ter say
at home OATS all his consolation.
has DIES erboM concluded dat de
heathens cross De water is fur mo civ
ilized dan lots or de heathcns right here
ut home.
Many a man makes a virtue er swine
ter church, Wen de real reason is-be kin
sleep better dar dan at home
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
Honesty as an Issue.

The Washington Post still protests
to The Constitution that questions of
official honesty and official rascality
cannot be made campaign issues be-
tween the parties next year 1t argues
that to attempt it will be much like
the case of the pot calling the kettle
"a niger
However. such an issue was defini-
lively raised between the parties in
1876 and the people who think honesty
in public office desirable thing sided
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
Back Out, or Get a Navy.

Admiral Dewey is in favor Of the
United States adding about fourteen
war ships per annum to our present
naval outfit. In this he is voicing the
ideas in the concrete of most Ameri-
cans who have studied our present ma
tional status and possible future needs
upon the high seas
This thinking of ourselves as "a
world power" is new experience.
We have not as yet gotten our minds
and methods adjusted to the role.
But it is an enormously large and Sc
rious fact and we Will toy with the
novel situation at our peril Common
sense urges that we accept our posi-
ton at its full significance and pre-
pare ourselves to act the character
with proper dignity and appropriate
armament
AS most OF the world chickering's
and adjustments Of rights in the fu-
ture are to be determined by the
formidableness OF sea power as all in
ternational experts agree, the United
States should possess the largest and
most effective navy of the world.
It is mere question with us Of
taking time by the forelock. We can
build, equip and set in array the best
lighting ships and men on the globe.
We have plenty of money to carry out
the Dewey recommendation and what
Dewey says on this special subject
viii 90 almost unanimously with the
people
If we arc going in to pose rs a
world power let us do it with solid
hacking enough to make our claims
stick wherever we post them up
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
RICH TREASURE FROM NOME.
Three Arriving Steamers Loaded
with the yellow Dust

Seattle. Wash October % Three
Nome steamers. the senator, Roanoke ana
Ohio, reached Seattle carly today. bring
ing total Of 200 Passengers ana over
a half million dollars IN tresure The
Roanoke left 81 Michaels October g. and
the Senator and Ohio sail.d from Nome
October 49, Nome Of them sighted the
disabled steamer Meteor which has a
valuable cargo. ana is being lowed SOUTH
ward by the steamer Eureka. Tn rev.
enue cutters Manning ana Bear We're
preparing to start out in search of the
Eureka and her tow.
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02

right to a fundamental education by
frllled and furbelowed modern Athen-
ian experiments.
Georgia is about to adopt uniform
textbooks for the next five years. Let
the books be cheap, simple and capa-
BILE of being intelligently used by the
kind of teachers we have. The end
will be a great gain in real education
in the next luStrum.