The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-21
FRIDAY, AUG. 81, 1903.
SILENCE MIGHT BE GOLDEN.

There is no more picturesque figure
in American political life than Col.
Watterson, of the Louisville Courier
Journal; we say Sin political life," be-
cause, like the warhorse, he shifts the
battle from afar, though the editorial
Office is his proper fortress. There is
also no honester man than he whom
we love for his fighting qualities and
his untrammeled vocabulary. He is
one of the Old Guard, and many bat
tie may he fight.
Yet it seems to us that a word Of adj
vice even to such a veteran would not
be out of place. He is laying himself
open to the very reproach that he
brings against others. Col. Watterson
Is weary of many years in the wilder
ness, and would have the Democratic
party make progress toward the prom
ised land. He wants new deal all
around; new issues, new leaders, new
enthusiasm. Perhaps he is right, per-
haps not. He is entitled to his opinion
and to enforce it with all his I'M
quenched yigor.
But Col Watterson is, at the same
time, copying the very methods that
he deplores in others. He urges his
fellow Democrats to close up the ranks,
forget old differences, face the foe and
go in to win; which is admirable. But
his strident voice is heard in tones
quite as loud as those used by others
whom he lambasts in characteristic
either Mr.. Cleveland or Mr.. Bryan come
to the front as a restored leader; and
again he has right to think and to
say so as a matter of party policy if it
Seemeth good to him. But in pursu-
ance of rs idea he hurls at both these
gentlemen many epithets that are not
happy, and many comments upon the
past that are of aid and comfort to no
one but the enemy.
What the Democratic party must do
is to put a quietus on these personal
chickering's. 1t is not good work for the
Democratic party or the country to
abuse men whom Democrats have fol-
lowed in the battles of the past We
have had our differences, will have
them again doubtless, as. people of
honest opinions and healthy courage
are apt to do. That is no reason to go
hunting for more with a searchlight, or
to perpetuate that bitterest of all
feuds, a family quarrel We fear that,
in some respects, little of the spirit
that makes the vendetta flourish in
Kentucky has invaded the bosom of
even the genial and courageous Henry
Let Col. Bryan and Mr.. Cleveland
look after themselves, and the party
look after them when it gets ready, if
they need looking after. Keep your
ammunition for the enemy, who is go
ing to need plenty of it, served hot
killing himself, is ''impotent and vim
dictive." He speaks equally harshly of
Mr.. Cleveland. Then why burn powder
about them? The party wants har-
mony above all things and is going to
have it if it has to fight for it. It will
nominate a good Democrat next year,
and it will want every man who has
ever called himself Democrat to- join
with the host of dissatisfied and dis
gusted Republicans to vote for him and
help elect him.
To that end let the powerful bazoo
of one of the few remaining editors of
the old school sound early and often.
If there are Democrats whom he does
not like, OF If, which heaven forbid.
there are Democrats who do not like
him, silence has always been estimated