Courier Democrat., 1904-12-15
LOOKING eoRVNARn.
9As Dsasssasae ea.sy sAs~la Rxs.
DAEo Fer Future Work.

1As DeasesAaae Fa1ty sAeula Rro.
Dare ree F0taRe Work.
The Democratic party. after long
period Of internal dissensions, got to.
gether too latc to thoroughly consoli-
date its strength and make 1t effective
In the campaign" says the Atlanta
Constitution. and then continues:
"But we are not concerned now with
the past. We have no reason to be cast
down or discouraged. The thing to be
done is to go into training ut once for
the next contest. Until it comes our
principal role must be that Of an &C.
tive. vigtlant intelligent opposition. II
1t Is denied to us to govern the coun-
try. We can commend ourselves to its
conservatism aud good judgment while
losing no opportunity to inculcate our
principles by holding the party In pow
er in check.
"a government opposition should not
be facti0us or unreasonable. should re-
sist and expose the excesses which the
party in power is certain to commit
and should be so well organized and
wisely directed as to secure for itself
the full benefit Of the mistakes which
its opponent is sure to make. It is es-
sential to the country under our system
to have such an opposition, and to
make use of it we'll is no less patriotic
and useful than to govern. Not only
so, but to do it judiciously and within
conservative and reasonable limits is
the best possible training for the ac-
QUESTION and use of power and the best
way to gain the confidence of the coun.
try.
"Party government is ut its best but
clumsy expedient, by means of which
results are reached, approximate only
to the best. The ideal method would
be for each representative to be chosen
for the purpose of effecting the legisla-
ton most desired by his constituents
and most beneficial to the country at
large, letting each measure stand or
fall on its merits and leaving every
one free to vote according to his own
judgment, untrammeled by party afiil-
iations and without the coercion of a
caucus.
"Take such question as the curren-
cy. Will either party benefit itself by
opposing sound and wise measure
merely because it is introduced under
the auspices of the other? Then, too,
when conferences of the great powers
are being held for the purpose Of pre-
venting war whenever possible and to
mitigate its seventies. should not some
effort be made to soften the asperities
of party strife and, while standing
firmly for real principles, to Danish per-
sonalities and bitterness, unite when
ever practicable on measures clearly
desirable and conduct all discussions
on a high plane of courtesy and genu-
inc debate?
"Has not the time come when an ad-
vance can be made in these directions
and when mere factious opposition for
its own sake would better cease? The
party which first takes and maintains
such an attitude will commend itself
to the good sense and enlightened judg-
ment of the country and be the most
likely to win its suffrages.
1.-THE Democratic party stands for
sound theories of government, tested
and approved by experience. Let it
maintain them firmly and boldly, re-
sisting everything tending to subvert
them, but without acrimony and with
out considering it needful to oppose
every measure the other side may
champion merely for the sake of oppo-
sition. In other words, as far as pos
sible, without sacrificing principle,
adopt business methods in legislation -