The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-04-15
MOONS PHASES.
LOOKING FOR A LEADER.

LOOKING FOR 4 LEADER.
For the past two weeks the news
papers of this country have been dis
GUESSING the availability Of the pros
pective Democratic candidates for
the Presidential nominee. Just now
it seems that Judge Parker has the
better of the race, although everyone
must concede that the contest is be-
ing carried on IL a most dignihed
manner. The two most prominent
names now before the country are
Judge Parker and Senator Arthur p.
German of Maryland. 1t is said on
most excellent authority that the in
terests of these two gentlemen willin
no way clash, and that the backing
Of one is very much the same as the
other. Therefore it would seem no
more than reasonable to see either
chosen.
y prominent Republican United
States senator, in a recent speech,
said that the Democratic party was
becoming sanely dangerous. There
is much force in this remark, and
there is no question of doubt but
what the first "sane" step will be in
the choice of suitable nominee.
None of us are particularly welded
to our especial idol so long as the Sc
lection is on conservative lines, and
the name that will 60 at the head of
our ticket represents in its tiuest
sense just what Democracy stands
for. The campaigns of 1896 and 1900
demonstrated conclusively that it
was poor policy to attempt to make
an issue out of purely economic
question. This, however, is so prac
tically realized by those who have
the shaping of the destinies of our
party that it is unnecessary to even
recall our defeats. We do not for one
instant desire to speak disparagingly
of Hon. William Jennings Bryan, or
his sincerity of purpose in striving
for what was right. The -Egis sup
ported him in those two campaigns,
and will do so again should a ma
jority of the party decide that he is
the most available man. He has the
respect of the country at large, and
while many do not agree with his
views on the money question, yet
never has an Interior motive been
charged against the stand he has al
ways taken. In point of fact the
free silver views of Mr.. Bryan owe
their origin to the Republican party,
as his opponent both times, the mar
tyred Mckinley, had advocated such
measures while in Congress.
ThepTesent Presidential campaign
every one admits demands a new
man and different issues. The Demo
cratic party will urge reduction in
the tariff and the enactment of laws
looking to the lessening Of the trust
evil. The recent spasmodic prosecu-
ton Of certain trusts who are not in
good repute with the administra-
ton, which was done by order of
President Roosevelt as a basis for
campaign material, will not satisfy
the average voter as to the sincerity
of the party on this important ques-
ton. They feel sure that the only
way to curb the rapacious appetites
of certain combinations is to put in
power officials who will first enact
sufficient legislation and then after
wards enforce the law
Another strength that the Demo-
Gratis possess is the weakness of the
prospective nominee of the Republic
can party. This country realizes that
+hc worldisjust now passing through |
4 grave crisis, and it would only take |
It little overt act to plunge our peo-
pie into a war that would result dis
astrously were we either victorious
or vanquished. They well know the
fighting proclivities Of President
Roosevelt and fear to trust his iudg-
ment when matters are now in the
condition that have to be met by
our State Department. Russia and
Japan are involved in a war of exter-
mination, and while our sympathies
are naturally with the latter nation,
yet no one can Justify the provoca-
ton that would bring about con-
dition forcing us to take part. A war
is the last thing that the business in
tercsts of our country want, and
they feel that it would be safer to
have a man not so choleric at the
head of oar government. I
Then again our business interests
are more or less stagnant as the re-
suit of too Iong-continued reigning
power of one particular party. A /
.hange IS necessary for stimulation, q
provided better class of statesman f
hip is gained by the transformation. O
Any good conservative Democrat