New-York tribune., 1904-10-07
DEMOCRATIC UNITY"

The Hon. Thomas f. Watson continues 20
press home on Democratic voters some highly
disturbing and unpalatahle truths. His search
ing logic lays bare the hypocrisies and false
pretenc6s OF the Democratic canvass. As a for
mer Democrat and as an active ally Of the
Democracy in the last two Presidential cam
paigns Mr.. Watson has earned the right to re-
buke the Democratic leaders of today for their
abandonment Of what he holds to be the party's
basic and cardinal principles. Himself a con-
Eistent Jeffersonian. he can Justly condemn in
other followers of Jefferson the subordlnation
Of theory TO mere political advantage Mr.
Watson is not an opportunist He does not be-
heve in processing radicalism one minute and
conservatism" the next lie would not public
" denounce the single gold standard for eight
years and then suddenly by a backstairs proc
lamarion admit that the gold standard was cir
reyOcably established" He would not adyo-
cate IN one campslgn the lowering Of tariff du-
des and the imposition Of an income tax to
make up the lost revenue and then In a later
campaign urge tarin reduction but refuse to
father an income tax or to indicate any means
whatever OF recouping the Treasury for its loss
in customs duties. He does not think it polit-
icaliy creiitable TO make furious war on trusts
and combinations one year, demanding all kinds
Of federal intervention 70 restrain them and
another year to go before the public with the
hald assertion that no new legislation is needed
% regulate trust operations, complete rem
edy" being afforded by the common law.
Holding these views Mr.. Watson can see in the
attitude and conduct Of the Democratic leaders
Of to-day only a base and calculating betrayal
Of party principles. On TO other ground than
a surrender 70 expediency can he explain the
Democratic party's deliberate abandonment Of
the issues-clearly defined and explicitly stated
which 1t has stood for since 1896. Otherwise,
why the INVESTIGATIONS. the suppTessions, the
fwistings and turnings Of the Parker canvass?
il safe snd sane" Democracy means anything
why should its meaning not be plainly stated?
Instead Of such = statement, we have accord
ing 70 Mr.. Watson. a candidate moving his feet
''anOund as II he were afraid Of breaking egg
''shells" nominated On q neutral platform"
differing from the Republican nominee only
-'in that Roosevelt means what he saws and
'Parker means nothing and stands for moth
Eng" AS to the party behind this diluted and
eolorless candidate. the truth is that, there is
no Democratic party. II is not n body of men
having common purpose In view: its mem
'bers differ in purpose and In policy"
IS the picture drawn by AIr Watson exag-
seIatedg Certainly not IN the light Of the Dem
ocfauc National Committees Macedonian CRY
70 William ]. Bryan. Colonel BRYAN is 10 take
ne stump as the savior OF the Parker can
Fass 10 Indiana and West Virginia Yet he is
saying openly TO the crowds that come 20 hear
nm mat ne does not believe the gold standard
irreVocabiy established" that be stands to-day
shneAibly TOR Tree silver coinage and every other
Doctrine be ever advocated BE IS uroclaiming
that he agrees with the Populists on many
questions. that be still Gavors an income tax.
ana that be agrees with the Socialists in de-
lnandlng municipal ownership Of public utili-
ues and government ownership OF railroads.