New-York tribune., 1904-10-04
COCKRAN'S FRANK TALK.
WHY DEMOCRATS FAIL.
Says People Think They Are Lana
tics-He 4dUises CandOr.

Congressman ". Bourke Cochran, alter oelhg re-
nominated by the Democrats Of the Kiln Congress
District last night put his word barrel on TAP ana
II flowed for tWentv-seyen typewriter pages am
ply satisfying whatever of thirst there was IN the
audience for Democratic pareGortc lie clahheo
everything in sight for the Democratic party start
ing in by describing the Creators directions 10
Adam forming the doctrine Of the Democratic
party. He dwelt lovingly the assertion that the
government Of the country had always oeen on
Democratic principles. regretted 10 be forced 10
state that they had practically always been admin
istered by Republicans. and reached his climax
when he said the for this was that the peo-
pie considered the Democrats lunatics and didn't
dare trust the government TO them. He told his
audience he believed in frankness. He was frank
with a vengeance.
Judge Parker. after his refusal yesterday TO an
swer a question his attitude to allowing the
negro TO vote, will read with delight Mr. Cockrans
remarks the need for Democratic candor
Mr.. Cochran wound up by saying Mayor Nc
clelian was giving this city the best government
il ever had.
Mr.. Cockran's speech in part was as follows;
1t is well 10 bear in mind that DEMOCRATS never
differ about principles which constitute DeInocIecS.
ta % he 'T nnst eat al braad M In the sweat OF his
brow, he was shown now he could support 5
Iisai fba vJboIe arononic law and the whole Dem
ocratic doctrine. Democracy is merely the aPpIca-
ton Of that revelation from Heaven 10 human eo'
The unbroken tendency OF the country for forty
years may be defined as steady adoption OF Deag eg
cratic policies and the almost equally stea4y pei
sistence in intrusting the enforcement % mem , ~
crime which has provoked a form OF popuIa. ven
geance outside the law and repugnant 10 II. de
Stability of democratic Institutions first com
mitted when the Southern states groaned s unast
the hideous traVesties maintained by the carpet
bagger. Not all the waste of war. not al! the
ye sscrded n the m Of L endangered
Republic half so seriously as the lynchings when
The best R PeT6pe 6 on m aans gGSas df cy oendns
and protecting the sanctty Of their womanhood
ency The danger to republican government. and
indeed organized society which they Involve IS Is
part of the price which the country lS Iorceo 70
pay for absndoning-even temporariiy1-I'enocrau
policies OF justice for Republican policies OF eX-
Nowhere in the world IS the government itself
who administer il held in less esteem: The Amer
can people are st1S,s Ies tn nncans
of both parties. but think for different reasons
@ - so-1aho,y or other they have succeeded
in persuading the people that the DemocTatic poll
selves reduced to a choice between crazy men and
corrupt men, have preferred to trust the corrupt,
probably on the ground that rogues can pe deaiS s
with according TO their r3gueTy: while lunauI,s ,d,s
trend Of results ought to leave little doubt that the
opinion is widely held Now, the Republican does
that il wiii remain there but some or other
he appears 10 have succeeded IN persuadlns the
people that the Democrats who denOunce his rob,
berry would paralyZe all commerce and wreck All
property if they were allowed to drive MN away,
peculation. which. however grievous and democrat
izing leaves them something OF what their labor
produces rather than risk what they think might
be the total destruction OF their industrial system
by well meant but utterly extravagant and ruinous
political experiments.
To restore confidence In the Democratic party
first essential step Is tn establish not that Its
leaders are hoaest for that. think, is generally
conceded but that they
The really effective Republican arguments ars
all in whispers. the whispered conditions upon
which corruption funds supplied. But the Dem
ocratic party cannot deal in whispers. II II be
Democratic for Il mas promises To make ex-
cept those which should be proclaimed on the
housefops. It-can never win by suppression OF It's
views: evasion n declaring it's purposes II alb
hors secrecy and perishes in mystery Publicity
IS the very breath Of its nostrs. II II is TO gain
a victory il must march to battle with banners
flying. drums beating, war cries resoundng us
one battle cry is equal rights to all men, special
privileges 10 none the fullest protection to all
fruits of Industry. stern resistance to every at
tempt at plunder. ptiless pursuit of every plum
dereT.
For my part 7 never could understand why any
one should hesitate about candor in expressing
opinions If any is ashamed OF his opinion he
should abandon IL. I have always. in matters Of
conviction. held that there are but two courses
open to an honest man. He should express IT or
change f. To hold opinion Of which he Is
ashamed is to me indefensble and almost IN
comprehensive BY these principles have always
been guided in my own conduct