Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-02-29
.-,.s.sGxS42
WHAT "STAND PAT" MEANS.
1t Represents Dire Extreme, "a Par
ty Forced Against Wall.

~ EeFeSN a. W
Democracy's disposition toward exist
ing evils and injurious institutions
which have fastened themselves ill sub
stantial growth is, and ought to be,
sane There is no desire on the part
of Democracy to wreak mischief. TO
destroy without regard for the wei
fare of legitimate business There is
10 mind to do violence where sound
method will achieve better end
Democracy will pursue no hystercal
purpose, but rather Il calm and scien-
titic course of eradication consistent
with the least disruption.
But. on the other hand. it will by no
mcHns content itself with the kind of
conservatism expressed in Mr.. Koosc-
velts famous backdown message on
the tariff and trusts, in which he de-
clared that the evils in these institu
tions were overmatched by the good
and that to disturb the evils would be
dangerous. In fact. the operation of
attacking them at all seemed to him
to be so very delicate that he declined
to advise it. He announced the doc
trine of toleration of ills and submis-
sion to injury.
Democracy will not consent to view
as "ncccSSary evils" such matters as
federal corruption mulcting tariff pro-
lection and the palpable disorders of
tie trusts.
Speaking upon the tariff Representa-
tive Williams in his recent and widely
read address exhibited the sound and
discriminativc views which character
iZc the Democratic attitude, saying
that his party had no desire to de
molish the tariff ut a single blow, to
explode it with dynamite or to pull
down its pillars and throw down the
structure With Il crash 1t would re-
qtire Il considerable time to recon
struct Il tariff on Democratic princi-
plies. In his opinion. though. the par
tvs final intent was clear. 70 Democ-
| racy a tariff virtually represents Il tax
upon consumers. A Democratic tariff
therefore. should as nearly as might
be provide for equal taxation of con
, sumers. for an cq,aliZed charge upon
consumption or the thing consumed
Mr.. Williams thus correctly interpret
ed Democratic conservatism. Repub
lican conservatism is Il iniSnomer un-
less the English language has suffered
distinct loss Of meaning. The Repub
lican party stands pat Oh its federal
! scandals, on the trusts, on the tariff
and especially on it's machine organiza-
: ton now in the flower of development
The Republican party is loath to fore
go the more abundant fruitfulness
which eight years perfection Of ma
chine holds forth. 1t is obliged to seek
vindication upon its past record. its
past politics, 1t is rigidly held by cir
cunstauces to the defense of its ca-
reer, its purposes, its attainments
Change of attitude is utterly denied it.
Its forced position, from which the
times admit of no escape. is expressed
in the unfortunate phrase stand pat +"
signifying extreme negation, excluding
the idea of determination to act, to i'm
prove, to move at all; denying inten
tion and suggesting impotence Of will
"Stand pat" is the position of Il dire
extreme. a party forced ng inst wall
Can there he conservatism in such an
ultra attitude?
The country is thoroughly tired of
stand pat" which denies not only the
possibility Of remedy but the existence
of essential wrongs. Democracy will
move along Il middle course carefully
guarding against unnecessary damage.
seeking gradually to effect desirable
changes. s.-St Louis Republic.