New-York tribune., 1905-01-09
TIE END OF gECTIoNALEsM.

Explanations continue TO be offered by Demo-
cratic experts of the "Parker-Davis rout." 1.-The
New-York Times" declared the other day that
the Democratic national ticket was defeated
because the party had not been completely de-
Organized" in its leadership and policies The
Editor Of 1.-The CommOner' holds that the
party lost because the process Of "de-Bryaniza-
tion" was a little too complete" These two
views cannot be reconclIed, and possibly good
deal can be said for either. Yet there is one
aspect Of the Democratic disaster which neither
of these explanations emphasizes sufficiently.
Both Of them ignore perhaps the most vital
popular tendency exhibited in the November
election-the tendency Of the average voter to
free himself from the outworn shackles of sec
tOnal politics.
President Roosevelts extraordinary victory
was a startling protest against the sectonalism
which has so long dominated our Political life
The Democratic party was overwhelmed not
alone because II stood for sheer negations, but
because its leaders sought TO reduce II once
more 70 a mere instrument of sectional preju-
dices and sectional ambitions. From the DAYS
OF Polk when IL hrst became the acknowledged
tool Of the slave power, the Democratic party
has been the consistent exponent Of sectional
spirit. II upheld slavery, precipitated seces-
sion. opposed reconstruction and fought with
all its energy against a recognition through
legislation of the results OF the war Under
Cleveland II lent itself 10 an exploitation of the
South's programme Of cheap labor and free
trade
1t was one Of Mr.. Bryan's important services
10 American politics that be partially shattered
this tradition OF sectionalism when he revoIu-
tionized the Democratic party in 1896 Under
him the spirit OF sectionalism still thrived: for
be preached a union Of Southern and trans
Missouri interests against the interests Of what
be called 1.-The enemy's country"-neaning the
rest OF the nation. But this new sectional alli-
Rnce happily proved rope OF sand. STILL he at
ieast sought 10 commit the Democratic party
10 a programme IN which the historic sectional
issues were ignored and minimized
Last year the Democratic leaders tired Of
Bryanisn. and the South once more dictated the
party nominations ana wrote the party plat
form. The programme IL offered 10 the voters
was mere reiteration OF outworn Southern
views. II asked for power mainly on the pre-
tence that under an administration Ike Theo-
dore Roosevelrs its own traditions and
standards OF civilization" were not safe The
answer 10 this appeal was decisive The Demo-
cratic national ticket polled about 100000
votes less than were cast IN 1900 for Bryan and
Stevenson, and the South with Missouri lost.
was left virtually stranded and isolated In
thirty-two OF the forty-five states-that Is. in
aAco-As NNNIs 9Aate VI tie LulDB III winch Do
itical divisions exist and genuine political dis
cussiOn Is tolerated-the voters repudiated this
proposed return 10 sectional politics with un-
mistakable unanimify. There can be no doubt
that the present generation has done for good
aud al with party which represents nothing
but an OutgrOwn spirit 0f sectionalism The
American people are anxious 10 turn from the
problems OF the past and solve instead some OF
the vital and pressing problems ia democratic