The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-20
THE DEMOCRATIC OUT
LOOK FOR 1904.
Editorial Correspondence

|
Republican leaders that something must
| be done, even if very radical, to prevent
the threatened division in the ranks of
their party, the Democratic situation has
taken on a shade of cheerfulness and
hopefulness, if not of absolute confidence
| There IS not room to doubt that the
wisest men OF all parties regard the next
Presidential election as yet to be won.
| The Republicans understand full we'll
that the trend of the city vote is strongly
towards Democracy and that they have
all they can possibly do to hold their
country vote in the North and West
They fear that they will lose much OF
the country vote because it is so easy to
J demonstrate to the farmers that the in
creased cost of everything they have to
| buy is due to the high protective tariff,
| the blessings OF which, since the organi-
cation of the great trusts, goes almost
wholly into the pockets of few multi
millionaires. Congressman from the
Western States frankly say that this
phase of the tariff question will appeal
very strongly to the farmer vote, which
the Republicans carried very largely in
the last two elections, by claiming cred
| it for all the rain and sunshine and good
crops which the Lord has sent to the
people of these States The situation
in the cities is very strongly against
the Republican party, particularly in the
cities in the North in those States which
are regarded as doubtful. while Mr.
Roosevelt has been playing a very pretty
card in his attempt to capture the labor
vote, through attentions to certain labor
| leaders, his object has been so transpar
ent as to defeat its purpose said lead
ing Congressman last night.
1t is too soon yet to determine ex-
actly what the chief issue will be in
1904 1t is altogether too soon to even
| think about settling upon the candidate
for the Presidency. II the Democratic
minority in Congress at the session which
opens in December next acts with pru-
dcnce, wisdom and sensible aggressive
ness they can make the issues that will
give the Democrats at least an even
chance to win, but it chiefly depends
upon that. The public will test the
Democratic party by what it actually
does in the Congress proceeding the
Presidential election more than by its
platform. Therefore the Importance of
wise and harmonious action is so appar-
ent that even the most independent
Democrats are coming to see that they
must form a Get Together" club. While
Mr.. Mckinley was President the DEM
ocratic minority, particularly in the Sen
ate, had no uniform policy and it was
common thing in Washington to hear
it said "Well Mckinley can get from
eight to ten Democratic Senators to vote
with him almost any time he wants
them" This was putting it too strong
but Mr. Mckinley, easily the most con-
summate politician this generation has
produced by the very shrewdest use of
patronage, did have more Democratic
support for his measures than was health
full to Democratic policies or Democratic
success. The Democrats in the Senate
are convinced of the necessity for uni
ted action, and there is spirit of will
ingness to make concessions one to an
other so that the policy of the party
may be uniform and consistent. If the
House shall act likewise we may look
for the adoption of such policy next
winter AS will draw to the Democratic
candidate for President not only the solid
and united vote that won in 1892, but
the great body OF Independent thinkers
of the country in all parties, who are
not in accord with the strenuous and sec
tional policy which is being carried out
by Mr. Roosevelt
Tho truth is that while Mr.. Roosevelt
has certain popularity, it is chiefly based
upon the ''hurrah' order and comes
mainly from those who love to see a
man fight bears and buffaloes, ride fast
horses, brag of his devotion to athletics
and talk much about bringing down big
game. His ability and versatility are
unquestioned. as are his courage and
his probity But his Judgment his wis
dom. his equipoise are not trusted by
the wiser heads in his party Many OF
them agree with Senator Carmack who
mortally offended the President by his
story illustrating his strenuous and
sensational and dramatic method of doing
things. 1t was Carmack who likened the
Presidents regular pace to certain
horse in Kentucky whose natural gait
is running away" That remark made the
President very mad-mad enough TO tell
the Tennessee delegation in Congress
that he would see Carmack in hell be-
fore he would do anything that he rec
commended No President with equipoise