Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-12
Why DEMOCRACY HOPES

The Sacramento Union agrees with
The Herald in its declaration that po-
litical conditions in California are in
tolerable, but, with customary Repub-
lican inconsistency, maintains that that
Is no reason why Democracy may hope
since the mere changing from one
party to another would accomplish
nothing.
In the further course Of it's argu-
ment the Union, however, proceeds to
put forward in behalf Of its own cor
rupted party the very ideals which
The Herald had in mind as the basis
of Democratic hope.
"The redemption Of California" says
the Union, "is a question Of securing
higher standard of political morality,
in and out of the legislature"
Exactlyi And with the dawning Of
that day-with the open-eyed contem-
plation Of present conditions, the peo-
pie Of California will inevitably com
prehend the depths of degradation into
which the Republican party has been
led by its corporation bosses and its
railroad machine.
Then what? Put the same old party
back into power-the party which per-
mitted itself to be corrupted when it
had all power and all responsibility?
II doesn't look reasonable, does It.?
There is an old maxim which says;
"If you deceive and betray me once,
that's your fault; il you deceive and
betray me again, that's my fault"
The Republican party of California,
by very reason of it's mighty majority,
has cracked it's whip in the faces of all
the people, sold itself out through it's
leaders and it's machinery, and is to-
day without an executive head outside
the legal department Of the Southern
Pacific railroad. How can anybody
have confidence in it? How can any
body who awakens to the situation
argue that the way to correct bad
government is to keep corrupt party
in power until the people are educated
up to the point of electing better men
to office from that same party? When
did that ever happen in the history OF
this or any other country?
Political organizations are only re-
formed by force. Kick them out Of
office and starve them into humility
and repentance
That's the time-honored and always
successful way. Let them sit on the
doorstep in the cold until they get
back to decency and a sense of honor
and of responsibility TO those who en-
trusted them with their most precious
affairs.
IAN arousing of the popular con-
science will work a remedy" says the
Union. You bet it will! And with
the arousing of that conscience the
Republican misgoverning looters Of
California will be booted out into outer
darkness, there to remain.
"And the rejuvenation of the Demo-
cratic party" concludes the Union, Ito
such an extent as will enable 1t to
exercise a restraining influence over
an unwieldy and unhealthful Repub-
lican majority will not be a hindrance."
All. yes! Let the Democratic party
grow just big enough to keep the Re
publican majority scared into doing
the right thing; is that the idea?
Make of Democracy a mere DOGGY man.
so that when the Republican machine
discloses itself too prominently you
can frighten it into decent behavior.
No, no! That's mincing words and
splitting hairs with political conscience.
The Union admits, as it must, that
political conditions are intolerable.
The remedy is to turn out of power
the party that has corrupted itself
and betrayed the people, and put an
other in.
That's why Democracy hopes.