New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-26
TIE FIGHT THAT FAILED.

The anu-Panama campaign appears 10 have
"petered out" 1t sprang into being in great
and pOrtentous shape, like Minerva from the
brow OF Jove. There were those who thought
they saw its shadow cast over the whole admin
istratOn. At last, they thought, the Democratic
party had an issue. In jubilation the disjecta
membra OF that party began to get together.
The caucus was reorganiZed. That shrewd and
resourceful manager, Senator German, took
the lead and began. Carnot-like to organize vic
tory for 1904. For at least twenty-four hours
it looked as though the Democracy OF the ma
ton would rally 10 the and-Panama standard
and give the Republicans a lively, though
scarcely an embarrassing or perilous, quarter
OF an hour. But not everybody was fooled by
appearances. We may mOdestly claim that
The Tribune was not, but that its Washington
correspondent promptly discerned and set forth
the hollowness and fuulIJy OF the whole bust
ness; and the next day the accuracy Of his
forecast was revealed For the anti-Panama
propagandists heard from the country
When Democratic legislatures and Demo-
cratic Governors and the foremost Democratic
Journals throughout the country came out fat
footed in favor OF tie Administrations Panama
policy, there was mighty little left for the
9ocund and exultant anti-Panama boomers 10
do but TO pick out a convenient gimlet hole and
crawl into II. There had been lot OF lamenta-
hon over the unhappy lot OF a party without
leaders. They had no stomach for making the
alternative experiment of leaders without a
party So those brave voices have been grow
ing beautifully mild The great issue which 50
auspiciously sprang into full being has shriy-
elled and faded; and the halcyon hopes Of Dem
ocrahc success in 1904 on the basis of an anti
Panama campaign have taken wings and flown
away, "afay in der EWiglzeft"
For this we must confess a half feeling of re-
greet Not for the lost hopes of Democracy. hut
for the loss OF prospective merriment which all
the rest Of us have suffered Our risibles were
excited with delightful anticipation bv the
thought OF seeing the Democratic donkey set
itself IN the way OF the big express train Of
national policy national desire and national
need. There was immea surab bic provocation IN
mirth in the prospect OF seeing Democratic
statesmen take the ground OF favOring the canal
but opposing its construction. Moreover, there
was grateful appeal 10 our sense Of the ever
lasting fitness OF things in the promise that
that party Of contradictions, self-stultihcation
and unreasoning prediction for the wrong side
Of every issue should continue its record with
an attempt TO defeat one Of the most important
and most desired public works Of the age
We are not, however, devoid of an unseIfsh
consolation II we are deprived of the fun
which such a campaign promised. we have as
surance that the policy OF this nation and the
desire OF the commercial world will no longer
be opposed. There IS, too, fine touch of in
SEPARATION in the thought that amid all the per-
plexity and contention Of this Panama bust
ness. and amid ell the need for quick decision
AID swift action, the course pursued BY the
President and his associates has been so
thoughtful, so judicious and so unlmpeachably
Just that IL not only commands the approval of
alien nations. but also compels the sanction and
support Of even the strongest partisan oppo-
nents OF the administration here at home. On
the whole. there is perhaps more satisfaction in
Euch a victory as this than there would have