Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-05-29
Democracy's Task.
milwaukee News.

kmllWdukcC Newell
1t is true, as chairman Manson of the
Democratic state central committee
said in his address before the Jefferson
club Monday night, that the great
mass of the American people believe IN
the Jeffersonian principle of equal
rights to all, special privileges to none"
and that if the issue between privilege
and plutocracy on the one hand and
equal rights and the people on the other
hand is sharply drawn they will give
support to the political organization
that stands for the principle so clearly
enunciated by jefferson.
On the occasion at which Mr.. Man
son made his address there was much
discussion of the means by which the
democratic party of Wisconsin may be
rehabilitated Much of this discussion
was idle and protitless. First of all, it
is necessary for any party that would
obtain control of public affairs to have
and hold the confidence of the voters
Its principles and policies should APP
peal to them and it should have faith in
the principles and policies that it adj
vocates. Having principles and pol
icies in which it aas faith, it should adj
here to them. Having fixed convic-
tons having faith in itself and in its
policies, it will have self-respect. Hav-
ing self-respect it will have character
Now these things can not be obtained
ready-made. They are a matter of
growth-a development. A mans
character is not built in day, though
it may be destroyed in an instant.
The democratic party must build
character. 1t must think less of gain
ing Office with this issue or that issue
and more of being right for rights
sake. 1t must have self-respect. 1t
must believe in itself before it can ex-
pect to have others believe in it. En-
barked upon fixed course, confident
of the righteousness of its cause, it may
hope to gain the confidence of the peo-
pie. 1t Eiust have done with mere OPP
portunism. Then to it will the future
belong.
In the very nature of things, the re-
publican party more and more must be-
come the open and avowed party of
privileged interests and organized
wealth. The republican party of Wis
consin will be bound and controlled by
the same influences that bind and con-
troll the party in the nation. Pertinent
! to this view, we quote from an editorial
in The Louisville Courier-Journal writ
ten by Henry Watterson and seeking
| to show that Roosevelt's surrender to
the railway interests was inevitable and
unavoidable.
Just as sure as the slavery issue split
the democratic party in twain, will the
money issue split the republican party
in twain. The republican party is we'd
ded to the protective system precisely
as the democratic party was welded to
the slave system. Slavery existed by
law. 1t was protected by the consti-
tuition. The democratic party was the
party of law, the party of the constitu-
| ton, and hence it defended slavery and
became the party of slavery. When e.
last impelled not only by the trend OF
modern thought the world over, but
| by the aggressive spirit OF the slave
oligarchy of the South, the moral sense
of the North-the stronger section
rose in revolt, down went the demo
cratic party, and along with it, down
verse of the shield; money, property
whether the offspring of the trust or the
tariff, is recognized by the constitution
and the law; the republican party is the
party of law and order; the republican
party is the party OF the constitution
the republican party has the congress
to enact, the president to enforce and
the supreme court to find the law for
them-as had the old democratic party
in the days of Pierce and Buchanan
and when the money power, grown
arrogant like the slave power, issues its
orders to muster its slaves, not beneath
the shadow of Bunker Hill monument
but under the dome of the senate cham
Der at Washington, why, they muster
and, as we see, though Roosevelt thun
der from the White house, there is nc
| Benton to answer in the senate. Nc
leader can successfully lead against the
grain of his party. The old democratic
party could not escape the slavery is
sue. The republican party cannot es
cape the money issue. Theodore
Roosevelt cannot escape his belongings
his environment, and the convictions
and prejudices of lifetime. Demo
Gratis are foolish to expect it. Disinter
ested and thoughtful people, who diff
fer from him in opinions and would bt
glad to see him throw himself headlong
Into the abyss, not only do not expec
lit, but they will understand why he
does not, and appreciate, if they do no
entirely justify his reasons.
No man is greater than his party
Roosevelt was forced to recognize tina
plutocracy dominates the Republican
lparty and that if he would not wreck
his party he must bow his neck to the
Interests that dominate it. In Wiscon
sin the situation is not different from
what it is in the nation. If the Demo
cratic party shall be worthy, it will b,
made the instrument for the overthrow
of privilege. The task that confront.
it in state and nation is to convince tn,
tidence.