The Irish standard., 1904-11-19


ization. In the long years Of opposi-
tion their lack Of sympathy with the
logical tendencies of the party had
caused no great disturbance. 1t was
easy enough for all kinds of Demo.
Gratis to fight Force bill, or even to
denounce the war tariff in general
terms, without saying what they
would put in it's place. But as soon
as the party came into complete con-
troll of the government as it did for
the first time in 1893, it was necessary
to carry out a policy, and then the
trouble began. No sooner had Cleye-
land swept the country OH n platform
Of radical tariff reduction than Sena-
tor German tiptOed to Washington and
said that the party must be "conserva-
| tive" Ex-senator Davis insisted that
lie must have protection for his coal
mines. Senator Murphy looked out for
collars and cuffs. Even Mr.. Cleveland,
through Secretary Carlisle, warned
Congress that it would be we'll to be
just little cautious about sugar.
The Democratic party was badly
discredited by the Wilson German
tariff episode, but it could have been
gradually worked into a healthy con-
dition but for frightful blunder on
the part Of its progressive elements.
Instead Of pressing for truly Liberal
policy, as opposed to the reactionary
policy Of the Republican Junkerbund,
! they allowed themselves to be led off
| upon a free-silver sidetrack. Now, free
silver is no part of n Liberal creed. It
has no connection with progressive re-
forms. In Europe, bimetallism is or
was when 1t was alive, the fad Of
Tories, Agrnrlans, and Reactiu,aries.
The Liberal and Radical parties have
opposed 1t. Its adoption by the Ameri-
can Democracy at once split the party
In precisely the wrong way-not by
cleaving off those inharmonious ele-
ments that properly belonged on the
Republican side, but by driving away
n great part of the brains and con.
science of the Liberal movement. The
party has been trying for eight years
to live down that mistake, and it has
not yet succeeded. In the attempt it
has submitted again to the leadership
| Of the undemocratic elements that be-
! traycd it in 1904, and naturally the re-
suits have not been inspiring.
| What next?
First, the fact must be recognized
| that America has entered the world
movement, and that here as elsewhere
the politics of the twentieth century
| will turn on social questions.
Next, Democrats must clearly real-
ize that there is room for only one Con-
servative or Reactionary party in this
country, and that the Republican party
has definitely secured that place.
There never could be more conclusive
test of that fact than we have seen in
the campaign that has just ended,
| Theodore Roosevelt was detested by
the privileged financial interests. In
nominating ticket recommended by
a member Of the mont-Morgan
bond-syndicate, with multi-million-
| aire protectionist for vice-president
and member Of the Sugar Trust at
the head Of the New York state COM
mittee, the Democrats made the
strongest possible bid for Wall Street
support. But, after moments hesi-
tation, Wall Street realized that the
| Republican party was it's own party,
and it accepted it, Roosevelt and all,
rather than risk an unexceptionable
Democratic ticket with what it de-
scribed as "the Huns in the back
ground" After that there can be no
crazier rainbow chasing than to try to
undermine the Republican party in the
| affections Of "high finance" The Re-
publican party is part of "the SYSTEM"
a44s is no more use in grumbling
| at that fact than at the procession of
| the equinoXes.
Since it can not be the Conservative
party, what is the logical thing for the
Democracy to do? Obviously, to be