The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-11-12
BELIEVE IN PARTY OF ACTION.

THIS is pre-eminently an age Of
achievement, the application of thought
to practical purposes. To do rather
than to imagine or fancy is the rule in
politics as we'll as in all other branches
of cndeavor. The academical principles
Of political economy are right enough,
if they happen to fit existing condi-
tons: if not, the conditions themselves
will evolve the correct rules. This was
most Strkingly illustrated on Tuesday.
The Republican administration had
done something-in fact it had done Il
great many things. and had done them
we'll 1t not only had Il definite policy,
the people had rcapcd untold benefits.
When it met in council in Chicago it
md something to show for its exist
ence and a reason to offer for its con-
tinuance in power. 1t was "A simple
matter to declare principles which had
been in practical operation for seven
years.
The Democratic party made bad
start. At ST. Louis it failed utterly to
appreciate the situation. The party was
rent into factions over dead ISSUES, and
it WAS impossible To construct II sincere
and useful platform, one that would
win votes. They merely denied the
beneticence of Republican principles.
doing. the Democrats elected TO stand
ON II memory. Thus the country was
given its choice between Il party of ac-
ton ami 4 party of simple ncgation.
The result WAS, not in doubt from the
start
In Il time of peace and great pros
perty it WIS futile for the Democrats
IT, attempt To- gain public confidence
merely by attacking the principles and
I,t.icy which had 50 largely contributed
to that prosperity. Much of the work
of the campaign wglS directed by the
Democrats to Solidifying their own
party While this labor may be con-
ducive to better fortune i'll future CAM
be held together long enough to take
advantage of it. il wglS of little service
in the contest which has just ended. 1t
ws,s pointed out in THE American" at
the opening of the political conflict that
Il decided majority of the American
people were Republicans. and that it
would be necessary for the Democrats
to win many of these to their SUPPORT
before they could hope for victory The
situation itself was against them. 1t
was Il hcrcul,an task to beguilc men
from their allegiance when the splendid
constantly before their eyes. But the
Democratic candidate and his managers.
with seeming dclibrration. Abandoned
one by one all of the official declarations
Of their PARTY. and elected to stand
ulr,n petty personal issues, which wcr"
not even interesting t" the great body
of the electorate. Instead of cIticinG
Republicans To desert their coloI$. they
drove away voters from their own
the closing days thus became 80 certain
that the only danger - be feared by the
Republican party was apathy and lack
Of interest
But Il Presidential election in the
nited States docs, not bring despair to
the vanquiShcd a: scarcely monetary
diScoura cement The minority frankly
and promptly recognizes the fact that
the majority has won. and is entitled
to the victory. ~. the minority would
have been had it received the Votes. Ii
is n.!e Of the most gratifying features Of
uur system of government that within
tolty-right hours after the result of IL
| Pr, eslrutial election i known the people
moves placilIy til in its accustomed
grooves ~ Though no political convul-
Sion had occurred. In the present in
stance there is the more reason for
universal confidence. because President
| Roosevelt h1, hrcN in naice for three
years. AMI is a> thoroughly known and
a> greatly admired rs any public man
in the country. while in public admin
i.tI9tion th~ policies to hc pursued will
he the same under which the nations
prosperity has been established. Indeed
1t is probable that a majority of the
| Democrats who voted for Judge Parker
will feel little regret that the choice hs, :
fallen on his rival.-Baltimore Ameri
can.