The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-12-20
RAcBAe POLITICS.
Only One Stable, Coherent, Compe-
tent Party Now Exists


tent Party Now Exists.
The confusion that prevails in the
motley elements opposed to the Repub-
llcan party, and which call themselves
Democratic, no matter how inconsistent
with each other, is shown in the official
returns cf many of the States. Is
there such a thing as a distinctive
democratic party? If so, what are its
principles. and who its accredited lead
ers? Are Hearst and Bryan in COM
mand, with Cleveland and his sort ex-
communicated? The official figures
just published in Massachusetts, for ex-
ample, tell remarkable story Of Dem
ocratic chaos. John b. Moran, accord
ing to these returns. received the vote
of four different political organizations
or divisions. The Republican nominee
for Governor received 222. 52S. plur-
atty of 30.233 over all OF Moran's fol-
lowings combined. while the Republic
can nominees for Secretary of State,
Treasurer and Auditor had a plurality
of over 10000.
This political harlequinade is the
main feature Of the opposition as the
national campaign approaches. 1t is
termed democratic, yet it is in reality
a fusion holding itself open to any
sort of radicalism thai gives promise
of votes. Men like Hearst and Moran
have already seized the Democratic
machinery in New York and Massa-
chusetts. Bryan has frankly Endorsed
Hearst, and men of this stamp will
turn up in the next Democratic national
convention as the dominant leaders
Bryan's followers have always point
ed to- his moral qualities. But how
about Hearst, the active partner he has
definitely accepted? No exception Is
allowed to the rule that men are known
by their associates. Not ) per cent Of
the Democrats of the United States had
any idea a few months ago Of taking
Hearst for leader. But he has forced
himself into the position, and Bryan
was the first Democrat of prominence
to offer the hand of cordial recognition
and fellowship. If Hearst has been
more radical and INSCRIPTIONS than
Bryan, the latter has voluntarily closed
the gap and placed himself on the same
level. By flank movement. upper
ceived and sinister, the Democratic par
ty as an organization has been deliy-
cred to the Hearst and Moran wing,
and Bryan has openly made himself
the chief abettOr of the bargain.
But the fusion fell short in New
York and Massachusetts though in
both States it fully captured the ma
chinery of the party. 1t would be pre-
dominant in a Democratic national con-
vention If one met at this time. Judged
by the Democratic history Of the past
two years, the party, in its spokesman
will De more recklessly radical in 1908
than in the present year. An immense
number of Democrats have not Joined in
this revolutionizing Of their party, nor
will they consent to ignore the old ira
ditions. They offered to go on with
Bryan, forgetting the past. His reply
is to offer them-Hearst. Bryan Is a
radical, not typical Democrat, and his
terms are unconditional surrender.
These conditions portend stormy time
in the Democratic party as far as 1t at
tempts to represent anything in the ma
ture of settled principles. Only one
stable. coherent, competent party exists
in the country at this time. The gov
eminent is fortunate to have this safe
anchorage. All that has happened In
1906 points to the continued disccmit-
ure Of the organs. the Hearsts and the
Morans.-St. Louis Globe-Democrs.t