Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-03-03
WHAT "sTAND PAT" MEANS.
II Represent. a Dire Extreme, a Par.
ty Forced Against "a Wall.

WHAT "STANO PAT" MEANS.
It Represents a Dire Extreme, Par
ty Forced Against Wall.
Democracy's disposition toward exist
ing evils and injurious institutions
which have fastened themselves in sub
stantial growth is, and ought to be,
sane. There is no desire OH the part
of Democracy to wreak mischief, to
destroy without regard for the vel
fare of legitimate business. There is
no mind to do violence where sound
method will achieve better end.
Democracy will pursue no hysterical
purpose, but rather calm and scien-
tific course of eradication consistent
with the least disruption.
But, on the other hand, it will by no
means content itself with the kind of
conservatism expressed i'll Mr.. ROose-
velt's famous backdown message on
the tariff and trusts, in which he de-
clared that the evils in these institu-
tons were overmatched by the good
and that to disturb the evils would he
dangerous. In fact, the operation of
attacking them at all seemed to him
to be so very delicate that he declined
to advise 1t. He announced the doc
trine of liberation of ills and submis-
sion to injury.
Democracy will not consent to view
as necessary evils" such matters as
federal corruption, mulcting tariff pro-
lection and the palpable disorders of
the trusts.
Speaking upon the tariff, Representa-
tive Williams in his recent and widely
read address exhibited the sound and
discriminative views which character
lie the Democratic attitude, saying
that his party had no desire to de-
molish the tariff ut single blow, to
explode it with dynamite or to pull
down it's pillars and throw down the
structure With a crash. 1t would re-
Quire Il considerable time to recon-
struct tariff on Democratic princi-
pies. In his opinion, though, the par
tvs final intent was clear. 10 Democ-
racy Il tariff virtually represents a tax
upon consumers. A Democratic tariff,
therefore, should as nearly as might
be provide for equal taxation of con-
sumers, for an equalized charge upon
consumption or the thing consumed.
Mr.. Williams thus correctly interpret
ed Democratic conservatism. Repub-
lican conservatism is Il misnomcr un-
less the English language has suffered
distinct loss of meaning. The Rcpub-
lican party stands pat on 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. it's
past politics. 1t is rigidly held by cir
cumstances to the defense of it's ca
reer, its purposes, it's attachments.
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 inn
prove, to move at all; denying inten-
ton and suggesting impotence of will.
"Stand pat is the position Of Il dire
extreme, Il party forced against wall.
Can there be 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 a middle course carefully,
guarding against unnecessary damage,
seeking gradually to effect desirable
changes.-St. Louis Republic.