Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-19
Especial Washington Letter.

Especial Washington Letter.
PUT in part of the holidays lectur-
ing In the states CT New York
and Vermont, and l met great
many Democrats. Whether or
not 1t proves anything, they almost In
talked with confidence about
electing Democratic president this
year. New York Democrats are very
enthusiastic on the subject. While they
differ as to their candidates, they in
sist that any good Democrat can carry
the state. While from time to time the
metropolitan papers have good deal
to say about the harmony between
Governor Odell and Senator Plat, the
people say 1t is cry of harmony where
there is no harmony. While these two
illustrious statesmen in public are full
ing on each others neck. in private
they are seeking the poniard into each
others back with all their might. The
wish and prayer Of every good Demo-
crat will be, "More power to their
arms!' 1t is stated and believed in
New York that Odell aspircs to Tho
unusual honor of third term in the
governors chair. Evidently Benjamin
knows a good thing when he sees 1t.
Democrats say if the governor is nomi-
mated for a third term be will lose the
state by 100000. This may be too rosy
view of the situation. but not too
rosy If he gets the nomination in spite
Of Senator Platt. There are plenty Of
people now living who remember what
happened in 1882, when Arthur forced
Folger on the party, and lie lost the
state by 10000. Senator platt sup
ported Folger loyalty; it was the Blaine
Republicans who revolted and applied
the knife to Secretary Folgcr of the
treasury. But it may turn out that the
Blaine Republicans, or feather heads -
were not the only Republicans who
understood the art Of boiling and APP
plying the knife. At any rate and for
some reason New York Democrats hail
the new year jubilantly and conf
IDENTIFY.
The Vermont Democrats areSthe most
remarkable set of Democratyi in Amer
lea. With them "hope spl hgs eternal
in the human breast and no mistake.
They haven't carried the state within
the memory of the oldest inhabitant,
and yet they are enthusiastic, patient,
courageous and as true to their polite.
al principles as the needle to the pole.
They can't be bought or seduced from,
their allegiance. They are Democrats
not from the hope Of reward, but be.
cause they love the great party and its
principles with undying affection. If
I were as rich as Rockefeller or Car
negie, would present every Vermont
Democrat with gold medal
When lectured at Barre. the Demo.
Gratis OF that delectable city gave me a
banquet. never heard a more en-
t t1s;Is:ast:l set of speeches III my life.
Long live the Democrats of Vermont!
A Paradox.
My esteemed contemporary, the Phil.
adelphia Press, edited by my brilliant
personal friend, Hon. Charles Emory
Smith, though politically antugonistic
has this to say touching affairs in the
far east: Both parties have every.
thing to gain by delay and everything
to lose by premature action" That
sounds well, as does everything writ
ten by Hon. Charles Emory Smith, one
Of the most brilliant Republicans in the
land. Hardly. General Forrest, who
taken all in all, was one of the greatest
soldiers of the civil war, once defined
the art Of achieving victory, ITO gel
thar fustest with the most men," and
he usually "got thar fustest." That Is
only cotton field translation Of Napo
leea'ss maxim, "God fights on the side
Of the heaviest battalions." Genera
Charles Emory Smith is one of ths
greatest editors in America. He II
more-one of the greatest orators In
America, but evidently he knows moth
ing Of war. To get the bulge Is the
principal thing on the field Of Mars
and 1t is impossible that both Russia
and Japan should profit by delay.
Moro or Less Valuable Advice.