The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-04-28
THE NATIONAL SITUATION.

While this is what might be termed
an "of year" in national politics,
yet it is at just such times that our
leaders should give earnest thought
and attention to the future of the
Democratic party.
The election last fall was such an
utter and complete rout that there
are a few of us who feel that we are
in the position to anticipate the
proper course to pursue in order to
reinstate ourselves in old-time favor.
1t is a we'll settled principle that
there are more people in the United
States today who prefer the princi-
pies Of Democracy to Republicanism,
and if it were possible for us to poll
our every vote at each national cleo
ton, the Presidential chair would al
ways be filled by one who processes
our cause. "The greatest good for
the greatest number" should always
appeal to the masses, who easily
outnumber the classes, but unfortu-
nately there seems something radi-
cally wrong when we go before the
people in a practical way. Since
1892, the Democratic party has been
meeting with a succession of misfor-
tunes that have at last brought its
vote down to an almost insignif-
cant point as indicative Of its nation
al strength.
1t seems hard to analyze our
defeats, nor can we gain wisdom
from their frequency. Perhaps the
best explanation that has ever been
given is the one offered by the men
who were at the head of the party a
number of years ago. At that time
there was a drift towards new isms,
and the conservative element of our
party then urged the safe old course
that had kept the Democrats in
power for nearly half century pre-
ceding the Civil War. The advice
was not needed, however, and two
successive defeats seemed to bring us
to such state that in 1904 there
was no chance for the rally to vic
tory.
The one man of the present hour
who seems to be carrying the eutire
leadership of the party is William
Jennings Bryan. In 1896 and again
in 1900 he was the nominee Of our
party, being defeated both times by
large popular votes. 1t is not fair,
however, TO charge Mr.. Bryan with
all of the responsibility of these de-
feats, but it was probably his cling
ing to the doctrine of free silver that
made so many of our own party cast
their votes against him. He pos
scsses many traits and characters.
tics of leadership, and if it were not
for him today, the national party
would be almost unrepresented
throughout the country. Mr.. Bryan
is a thorough American in every sense
of the word and one of the biggest
men in this country. He has kept
the cause of Democracy alive and his
efforts are receiving very little aid or
appreciation by those who may here.
after aspire to special position.
The unfairness of this is very ap,
parent. The Democratic party can
not hope to win when it shows nc
activity except few months before
the national campaign of every four
years. While we hear of Republican
booms and the constant creation oil
issues that will come before the coun.
try in 1908, so far as Democracy is
concerned it seems content to lie in a
dormant state while the majority
party entrenches itself more strongly
than ever.
There is a chance for Democracy in
1908 if President Roosevelt follows
out his present course. He is at odds
with the leaders of his own party,
and bitter contest between the two
factions seems inevitable. Our party
should be in position to take ad
vantage of every legitimate breach,
as it is necessary if we expect to re.
tain our position. There is no hope
for the organization of a party that
will battle for our rights except the
Democratic party that has weathered
the storms and discussions of over a
century and a quarter, and we must
not let the campaign of 1904 be the
end of our political existence.
The time is ready for the move,
ment looking to victory in 1908.
Will our leaders take advantage Of
the opportunity?
FOR MODERN IDEAS.