The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-05

In its issue of Wednesday evening the
Democratic organ published what appear
to be the most innermost thoughts OF the
Hon. John W. Kern. recently defeated can
didate for the chairmanship of the Demo-
Kern had achieved the notable distinction of
membership in the state Senate and had
visions of the governorship, a seat in the
United States Senate and other cheerful
dreams that gave him a hopeful outlook
upon life, but he remained lin the hands of
his friends" too long and they finally fed
him to the pigs. Hence these expressions of
profound gloom. His hopes for Democratic
success seem to have died along with his
worthy ambition to hold the party Office now
graced by Mr.. Reach, and he seems utterly
unable to see any light ahead. The only
thing he is dead sure of is that he knows Of
no drawer leader or better Democrat than
William ]. Bryan" This may be important,
but 1t Is not interesting to the average DEM
ocrat. Mr.. Bryan has twice demonstrated
his inability TO get an office, and that is all
the Democratic party wants to know about
Mr. Kern has evolved few facts that
have been patent to almost everybody since
the split Of 1896. which he sets forth thus:
The Democratic situation presents many
perplexing problems. We all desire harmony.
But there can be no harmony without unity,
and there is not unity. Whether harmony
can ever be restored depends on whether the
men who do not believe in the principles of
the Kansas City platform can bring them
In no Of nR nm af hAr n N
whether the men who do believe In them,
heart and soul. and who in two campaigns
have fought for them, are willing TO aban-
don them think 1t Is becoming quite ap-
parent that there are two contending forces
In the Democratic party whose differences
are well-nigh irreconcilaole.
One of these conteading forces Mr.. Kern
describes as composed of 'bs mixers, trust
magnates, corporation agents and attorneys
and tariff benefciaries." anu the other as
''the men cut of whose earnings the trusts
and monopolies grow rich and fat" And
just here he unwittingiy points out the
great structural weakness of the Democrat
c party, namely. its lack Of following
among the great middle class of the Ameri-
can people, the intelligent, fairly prosperous
and thoroughly seif-reliapt citizens who do
| their own thinking along with their days
work. who build homes and live eonseien-
tious lives. 1t is this class that forms the
great majority of the American people,
| whether their days work be found in the
field, the factory the salesroom or the office
| and it is on this class that the safety of the
| Republic rests The Republican party has in
| II some very rich men, ambitious for power,
and it has in IL some men dependent on 9TH
| ers both financially and mentally, but the
| great mass of it's adherents is composed OF
| men who either have some little means or
| do their days work so intelligentiy and well
that they give their employers full value re-
ceived and do not let their employment in
| huenee their political opinions.
| The Democratic party, on the other hand
is composed largely of two elements the
| one seeking to control the acts of govern
ment for the benefit of private financial in
terests, and the other class of men who
| for one reason or another-either ignorance
| desperate poverty or blind prejudice-le,
| somebody else do their thinking. They are
| always looking for a champion of their
| cause or "a brave leader or somebody
else to do their thinking. and talking. and
| lighting, just as the Roman plebeian of ole
| sought patron and the modern Italian i'm
migrant seeks a "padrone" Hence the tire.
mendous hold the Democratic leaders, from
Croker and Bryan down to Taggart and
Reach. get upon the party. and hence tbs
fickleness Of the party in overthrowins
these leaders when they do not win success
In free and intelligent republic politica
party thus made up may win occasional
| be ephemeral