The St. Louis Republic., 1903-11-02
COURAGE TO CONQUER.

1t is related Of Cleomenes that when friend
promised him cocks that would die fighting he re-
piled, Pray, give me rather cocks that will kill
fighting" Between the courage of the vanquishcd
and that of the victor there is a distinction.
Winning or losing is largely question of cour
age. Just now Democracy needs to develop heart
for triumph, lust for battle. Its success or fall
ure will depend upon the quality of its courage 1t
needs not now the herosm of brave defenders. but
the undaunted fierceness of aggression. Brave de-
tenders suit its necessity after victory: not be-
fore. Stanch fidelity to maintain its principles to
the ,nttermost. to stand fall with the party for
tunes. to die fighting is Democracys need when
attacked. Firm convictions. confidence which does
not falter and courage which survives defeat are
the stuff upon which Democracy depends in the
interims, in the off years. hut it is the rohustious
courage of attack. the rotous spirit of aggression.
the inspiration of triumph. which alone serve
the Democratic purpose In the situation which now
conf.onts
AS the days wear or Democratic hopes arc
strongly revived The drift of events in the nation
is such TO kinde anew the fires of courage.
Democrats everywhere finding interest awaken
ing in the possibilities, which have been gradually
and manifestly improving. for great national
triumph in 1904 Indictment and inducement to
hope daily found in the obvious development OF
conditions favorable TO an overthrow of the regime
of greed and graft and class ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Democracy has long been out of national power
and Democratic loyalty has undergone severe
test 1t is party nature" which is but human
nature. TO weaken under loss. and eight years is
long period of deprivation. But in an age con-
spieuous for the promotion of principles of human
liberty and republican government there could he
r,,aI lopiuu ~ t1on nopty
which preeminently stands for government by the
governed; and the Starvation which Democracy
has suffered in recent years has served not to de-
plete its vital forces hut rather to indurate its
fbers and improve its mettle. That unshakabe
and profound confidence which has always oh
tanned for Its integrity of principle and beneficial
purpose is to-day rather strengthened and in
creased.
As consequence of the oppression of the peo-
pie by special privilege and a long continued neg
lect Of their interests, consequence of the re-
cent rapid development of antirepubcan tenden-
cies fostered by the Mckinley and Roosevelt ad-
the Importance Of the great public
Interest and the benefcence of Democratic rule
have been emphasized. The people have been sub
ected to administration calculated forcefully 20
Illustrate the contrast between plutocratc and
democratic government-and the people generally
realize the contrast and feel the cost and suffering
If the experiment. In the popular breast there
surges powerful desire for return to the tested
principles of equality and broad democracy from
which they swerved
Contemplation Of the peoples bent; of sentiment
ind tendency; Of political industrial and economic
,onditions of the nature Of the Issues which arc
set up and defended by the Republican party; of
he situation which prevails In the Republican par
y, the fact that the integrity and cohesion Of the
organization threatened from within; Of the ten
lency toward complete unity and accord in the
Democratic ranks-contempation Of these facts |
.annot but make for the growth Of hope, of conf
lence and courage. of the emboldened power Of |
victory. For Democracy all factors Of the situa- |
ion spell opportunity and invitation. Aggressive |
less, intelligent organization and fighting of the
uality which begets enthusiasm will tell the story
or the party in 1904. Courage to believe is the
quality most necessary right now.