The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-18

New York is more of political GER
tainty than it was before the recent
election. Democratic confidence is
based upon the fact of steadily de-
Ginning republican pluralities and
upon the recent democratic victory,
McKinleys plurality of 10000 in 1896
was in 1900 cut to 100000, the issues
and the nominees being the same in
| both instances Governor Roosevelt's
plurality in 1898 was 1900; Odelrs in
| 1902 was but 5000. Last fall the So
cialist and social democratic vote
amounted to 10000, andw the prohib-
itionist 20,000 these scattering ele-
mentS being seven times OdellS plu-
rality. These elements added to the
/ democratic vote show a majority of
| $4,000 over the entire republican vote.
Odelrs victory was attributed not to
lock of potential voting strength but to
democratic Indifference. Tammany's
| victory over the allied forces further
strengthens the argument deduced
from these figures. The Roosevelt
Odell alliance, and Platt's probable
enmity, pointing to a possible ultimate
party split, are further facts which
should be included in the calculations.
| 1t is counted as practically certain
| that New Jersey and Connecticut viii
go as New York goes; in both of these
democratic prospects are improving.
! In Delaware democracy has a fighting
! chance.
Circumstance cOnspires with OppOr-
|. tunity to renew democratic hopes in
many sections. Democratic leaders
i everywhere express confidence, and
the probability for a united democracy
grows. On the other hand the repub-
lican party is threatened with disOr
ganzatiOn. Hanna has declined to
stand by a president whose enmity to
him is an open secret; and a divided
organizat ton and a fierce fractional war
may be the result. Much more hinges
upon the question of Heatn's retire
ment from the scretaryship of the re-
publican national committee than is
generally suspected. It is stated that
Mr.. Roosevelt has, in his antagOniSm
to Hanna. gone to the gratest lengths
in his efforts to displace Heath; and
that peace With the Ohio senator is, by
reason of this fact alone, impossible.
Numerous other facts contribute to
enlarge demOcracy's opportunity
among them the republican party's
lame attitude on the tariff question,
and, especially. the growth of the Doodle
issue within the past few weeks. Mr..
ROOSeVeltS statement appended to
BristOW'S report and the presidential
message have by no means operated
to offset the general and increasing
sentiment in favor of a change of ad-
ministration; if anything, have tended
rather to emphasize the fact that the
republican party stands on the wrong
side of the Doodle issue. And no amount
of buster and campaign OratOry can
serve to- obscure the peoples percep-
ton of that fact.
Certainly every phase of the politi-
cal situation indicates an improved
democratic chance. A democracy SOL
IDLY united upon the deeper purposes
of the nation never had a brighter out
look. The voters who represent the
nations integrity and power stand
ready to employ a democracy repre-
senting the COuntryS demands. The
people fear the further rule of privi-
legged and protected interests and look
to democracy for deliverance; they are
prepared for revolt from republican,
ism. Every consideration, it is plain
to Sc, makes for democratic cOncentra-
ton and unification. Realization of
the opportunity and an uprise of the
old time party spirit are nOticeable
generally. Broad views of national
questions and a loyal adherence to the
party's foundation principles obtain
to see, makes for democratic cOncentra-
IN the whole, democracy's chances oil
union and solidarity appear superior
to those of the republican party. The
democratic tendency is strongly for
harmony, while discOrd is plainly evil
dent in the ranks of the enemy.