The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-18


Outlook, | submit the following sugges-
tons in regard to the election and it's
influence upon the future of the Dem
ocratic party. 1t is impossible to say
just what promotion of number Of
causes contributed to the overwhelm-
ing victory recently recorded in favor
of the Republican party, or, more ac-
curately speaking. against the Demo-
cratic party, for the returns will show
that the falling off in the Democratic
vote was not entirely offset by Repub-
lican gains. A multitude of opinions
have been expressed in regard TO the
election and it's political effect. Some
have attributed it to Mr.. RooseVelt's
popularity, but this hardly accounts
for it, because men in public life are
favored or opposed because Of what
they stand for rather than because of
personal characteristics.
AS both candidates stood for the
gold standard, the result cannot be
construed as a victory for gold. AS
Judge Parker announced in his first
speech that it would be almost if not
quite impossible to reform the tariff
during his administration because of
the large Republican majority in the
Senate, the result cannot be regarded
sion on the tariff question. The trust
issue was not presented with sufficient
definiteness by either side TO make
the election a deliberate decision of
the people on the trust question.
Neither can the result be regarded as
a specific declaration for or against
remedial legislation upon the labor
question. Judge Parker did not en-
phasize the labor question and Mr..
- Il To 40 70 pf
that Mr. Douglas was elected Cover
nor in Massachusetts by the aid of the
labor vote. and the further fact that
Governor Peabody was defeated in
Colorado by the same influence, while
both States went Republican on the
National ticket, would indicate that
the labor vote inclined toward Presi-
dent Roosevelt, if it showed any trend
in either direction. While the DEM
ocrats endeavored to lay emphasis
upon the imperialistic policy of the
Republican party. the Republicans re-
fused to meet the issue, and the Pres
ident, instead Of outlining policy
and defending it, declared that no
promise of any kind could be given at
this time. 1t would be unfair, there
fore, to regard the election as a def
mite declaration Of policy on the Phil
ippine quetsion.
Eltc EOtlN Oh AOIADIOfillSc.
While it would be difficult to regard
the election as a vindication of any
particular policy of the Republican
party, or Of any definite principle adj
yocated by il. the returns did show
most conciusively the folly Of trying to
run Democratic campaign on COM
promises and concessions. While the
election may not show the President
what the people want him to do, il
does show the Democratic party what
it ought not to do For the past eight
years the Democratic needle has been
TO a greater or less extent DETECTED from
the fixed principle-"euual rights to all
and special privileges to none'-that
ought to guide it, by the influence of
what is called the conservative ele-
ment of the party. AS soon as the re-
suit of the election in 1896 was known,
the Democrats who were responsible
for the party's defeat Immediately be-
gan to give il advice. Those who had
themselves voted for Palmer and
Buckner (WhO polled about one hun
dred and thirty thousand votes in the
nation) began to tell the Democratic
party how to win. They desired 10 so
modify the Democratic platform as to
eliminate what they called radical
ism and "populism.' AS the conven-
tion of 1900 approached. ii became ev-
ident that the reorganiZers were not
so strong among the voters as they
We're in the newspapers. They failed
TO control the Kansas City convention
A second National defeat, however,
the recognizing ele-
ment, and, by appealing to the Office
hunger of some and to the fears of
others, it succeeded in controlling the
st. Louis Convention. The campaign
of 1904 was conducted on "conserva-
. r.rt. ~. AZ
date announced his adherence to the
gold standard (although the platform
did NOT refer to the money question
at all. and until nearly the close OF
the campaign the only vigorous attack
made against the Republicans was
against the policy of Imperialism. Just
before the election Judge Parker
charged that the Republican commit
tee was drawing it's sinews of war
from the treasures of the trusts, but
the charge came too late TO have much
influence upon the election When
the vote was counted, IL was found
that the Democrats of the nation did
not tndOrSe the conservative plan of
Not only in the Western
and Middle States. but even in the
East, the Democratic vote was smaller
than 1t was i'm 1900. As the so-called
conservative Democrats have relied
upon the promise Of victory rather
than upon the well-dcfined political
principles. the overwhelming defeat
answers their only argument and
leaves the Democratic party free to
take up the work of reform. While
those who Supported the Democratic
ticket regard the defeat as an injury
To the nation, still the radical Demo-
Gratis realize that 50 signal reverse
removes the temptation that has for
eight years embarrassed the parry
and made its course uncertain The
party can now formulate a comnIete
and consistent plan of campatgu
against tho spirit of plutocracy which |
runs through the policies of the Re-
publican party.
The Moral Phases OF Public Questions.
/ The Democratic party is now IN /
position TO consider the moral issues /
presented by pending problems. and |