Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-08
The Party Of Negation.

III Inc dDoCIiSC VI
their own our Democratic friends are
constrained to confine their attention
and devote their time to attacks upon
Republican policies and principles.
Hence we read from day to day tnat
Mr.. German or Mr.. Williams or MT.
Carmack or some other Democratic
leader has attacked the administra-
ton II is 4 continuous performance
in a one ring show. 1t would seem 10
long-suffering public as if these lead
ers might vary the program a little py
stating their own views regarding the
definite policies that should prevail III
governmental affairs if they really
have any. The plain fact is, however
that not one of them dares to suggest
any definite program for fear 1t may
be out of Joint with the st. Louis plat
form; hence they adhere with moho'o-
nous persistency to the policy of neSa-
ton. What is true of the Democratic
leaders in Congress is equally true vi
the Democratic press. We nave YET 70
see one of them suggest any definite
and constructive Democratic program.
They prefer to confine themselves 10
attacks upon the administration. AS
vet no one Of them has ventured Il
guess what views are really entertained
by Judge Parker, and not one OF them
has heen rash enough to venture pre-
diction as to what the st. LOUIS con-
yention may finally bring forth in the
shane of a platform. At present the
whole Democratic policy appears 10 De
to avoid cOmmittals and punch the
other fellow. This is very likely to be
in substance the Democratic National
platform. 1t will ring with denuncia-
ton and glitter with generalities; but
the most powerful microscope will
probably fail to reveal any suggestion
Of a constructive program. The Demo-
cratic party has always been a party
Of negation. In the eight years that it
controlled the national administration
under President Cleveland its only at
TEMPT at constructive legislation was
the passage of a tariff law under which
the country suffered the most dis
astrous and far-reaching hard times in
its history--a condition of Industrial
paralysis that continued until the
passage of the Dingley law under Re-
publican administration, at a special
session called for that purpose in the
very beginning of President Mckin-
ley's administration re-opened the
silent factories. gave the wage earrers
n chance to sell their labor again Ak
better prices than they had ever re-
ccived before, and started the country
forward upon the splendid period Of
prosperity il has enjoyed under Repub-
lican rule.
Under such circumstances attacks
upon a clean. upright progressive
President like Theodore Roosevelt-an
executive with the courage of his con-
victions. and clear cut definite views of
public policy. which he has never hest
tated 10 state fully and frankly to his
ow-citiZens-will. we think, prove
exceedingly ineffective for campaign
purposes. The American people know
ana admire the President. He enjoys
their confidence in a marked degree, and
will receive their votes upon election
day Attacks upon his principles and
policies by opponents who have neither
principles nor policies of their own,
may only serve as boomerangs for the
political destruction of those who make
them. This is emphaticaEy Republic
can year and Democrats attempts to
stem the current of public option Will
he as futile as they are frantic.