Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-11-17
LONG LIVE DEMOCRACY

Editor GLOUCESTER Co. DEMOCRAT.
There are some Democrats of prominence
who advocate the formation Of a new party.
But why new party? True, it may seem
that the name, and the brave party ma
chinery, is about all there is left Of the Dem
/ ocratic party, but that is all that is needed
to be the nucleus of strong, minacing
and successful opposition, an opposition
that when circumstances arise, as they I'M
doubtedly will, will be necessary to the
welfare Of the country Opposition is a
yitally necessary feature of representative
government. Without an opposition it
would be impossible for our government to
remain representative, or for the governed
to remain free. When the people feel they
have a grievence, or an objection to the
manner in which they are governed, the
opposition party is the ready instrument
with which they can make effective their
objection.
The Democratic party is not dead; it is
temporarily futile, because, seemingly ,Ethe
people have no special use for it at present
But they have general use for it, aud
many times in the past they have had a
special use for it. In the future those times
and contingencies will arise again. Now
why should not the Democratic party con-
time to be the opposition party II is the
oldest political party in the country It
has name of value; it has tradition dear
to the hearts of millions OF our citizens; it
has an organization of value it has expert
ence in the responsibilities Of government.
Many of the most glorious achievements of
this country were the work Of Democratic
statesmen, and some Of the brightest pages
OF our history were made during admins
trations of the party Of Jefferson and Jack
son. We often refer with pride to our
principles as Jetfersonian, yet are they more
than that. The basic principles of our
party are essentially American; principles
that had their inception at the birth of the
Republic; principles that have aided in the
development and advancement Of the ma
ton; principles that have compelled the
respect Of the world and brought us tue
homage Of the nations Principles that Will
be honored until the star Of destiny of this
western Republic sets in the night of OBJ
livion Since election some Republican
friends here have suggested that the Demo-
Gratis had better make it unanimous, but
would any thoughtful American be glad to
see the Democratic party quit and let
national election go by default. Let us
assume, in view of the late verdict, that the
Democratic party is wrong and the Repub-
lican party is right. Yet the time will
come when the party in power will be
wrong, and the opposition will be right.
This is as sure as fate, and when that time
comes, will it not be for the veal of the
nation that the opposition should be one
with historic party name, with effective
party machinery, and such basic American
principles that the people with it can strike
et~ ~NSPu"atN"b parry 1iuui poNtI db Il DlOW
without endangering the sacred free insti-
buttons Of our land?
Democrats, let us keep our party strong
and American for the coming of that time
This believe is our mission, and is not one
to be lightly turned over to new party.
This is not time to desert our alters. and
stray afteI false Gods Rather let us stand
close to our Republican friends in their hour
OF triumph, and remind them they are but
mortal Both the great political parties
are but the instruments Of the people, both
are useful; neither can be spared And
now, brothers, let us come out from the
gloom Of defeat realizing fully that as al
party we occupy a responsible and impor-
tact post in our country; that it would be
baseness and cowardise to abandon to any
so-caled new Socialistic, torch bearing, red
flag waving, montrosity that would threaten
not only the party in power, but the life of
the Republic as well.
c. FLETCHER MYERS.
Oneida, New York, 1I-12904.
Here is Henry Watterson's view of the
political situation
Tuesdays election left the Republican