The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-13
BY HON. W. w. OSBORNE.


The overwhelming defeat of the
Democratic party last Tuesday has
been followed by a well-nigh universal
feeling of dependency. That the de-
feat was an utter rout we cannot
deny, but it certainly does not mean
annihilation, as some Of our friends
seem to predict.
We can and we will reform within
the next four years and securely and
safely entrench ourselves behind the
breastworks of public opinion. Democ-
macy is a living force. Through the
want of wise counsel on the part of
Ats leaders it may sometimes be led
astray temporarily, but that is the
worst than can happen. The ship is
off the course. We have but to glance
at the compass, port the helm and the
course is again properly laid.
To-day, more than any other time in
the history of the party, do we need
the consolation of this reflection. Sue
cessive defeats during three presiden-
tial elections indicate conclusively that
in some way, and at some point, the
party is out of harmony with the pop
ular will. For ten years the Demo-
cratic party has been like unto a self
willed i'll man, sick with some distem-
per that does not put him abed.
What is the Remedy
There has not been an honest intelIi-
gent effort to diagnose the disease and
ascertain the remedy that means a
cure. And so we would have contin-
ued to the end of time and each re-
curing presidential election receive
added marks of disapproval from the
people, were it not for this overwhelm-
ingly, crushing defeat that puts the
sick man to bed and forces that in
trospection which will result, 1 doubt
not, in the proper diagnosis of the COM
plant, and the application of proper
remedies.
The Democratic party is the party
of the common people. I understand
this to mean the great middle class of
our citizens who always make UP a
great majority of the voting public
The Democratic party is the medium,
and the only medium through which
the common people can register their
protests against monopolistic greed
and oppression. brought about by the
passage of laws which give special IA
Nors to some people and deny it to
others.
The issue between Democracy and
Republicanism is sharply defined. The
one stands for what is misnamed pro-
lection, but which should in fact, and
In truth. be called favoritism. 1t is
the power acquired corruptly through
Legislative action by few men by
which they exact from their fellow
citizens more money for a commodity
than they would charge foreigners. De-
mocracy antagonizes this idea.
What the Issue Is
This makes an issue and the only
vital issue between these great par
ties at this time. And yet how
Family was this issue pressed
throughout the last contest. With what
tremendous effect could an agures-
sive campaign of education along
these lines have been made. We would
have attacked a train of evils which
grow out of this unjust robbery. With
the search light upon the ingenious
corrupt methods employed by plutoc-i
recy to obtain these unjust and I'M
fair aAVantages we could have put
Republicanism upon the defensive.
Stop and ask yourself how these
monopolists and trusts and plutocrats
ever succeeded in inducing legislative
assemblies to give them these exclu-
honest argument? No man thinks So
They have had an exceedingly difficult
task, but one which they have MASTER
fully accomplished.
They had to satisfy the American
public that robbery was right. That
at was conducive to prosperity TO per-
init these money barons by means of
vii frar inn 10 rw~c 90 fn6f a1fl
tort stupendous fortunes from the
people Of this country. They went at
st with skill that almost passes COM
prehension. They organized bureaus,
IN charge of which they placed high
priced men of great intelligence,
whose sole duty was to influence Leg
sslative action.
Influencing Legislation.
The business of influencing legisla-
ton has grown and grown, and to-day
there isn't a legislative body in the
United States that is safe from the
hirelings of these gigantic corpora
lions.
1t is not an extravagant statement
TO make when I say that there is not
corporation in the United States to-
day of national Importance that does
not have upon its pay rolls a force OF
high salaried men who have no other
duty than TO beg, badger, cajoie and
intimidate legislative assemblies into
granting the monied interests some
advantage which the public does NOT
share.
So far the South has not been af-
hicted in this way to the same extent
as has been the North and West, but
the reason is be explained only by ouI
poverty.
Crusade for Georgia.
Even now we are dangerously close
to the necessity for a crusade in oui
own state to arrest the insidous ap.
proach of this baleful influence.
Let us reorganize Democracy, having
tn view solely the cardinal idea of De.
mocracy. Let us have for our COLDER
rule the wlsest OF party maxlms
equal rights for all and special fav.
ors 70 none" Let US reform our linei
and fight n out on this line, making
the FIRST assault upon the effort OF cor.
porate greed TO obtain unfair advan.
tages by corruptly influencing legisla.
tive action.
The first blow should be struck by
requiring every corporation In thii
country 20 disclose truthfully IN,
amount Of money Il paid out this yea
from ita various treasures for no Othel
purpose than 20 influence Legislation
tinfairiy IN ~ favor. Let us night az
Intensive night along these lines and
a. my judgment you Will ind Domoo.