The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-24
Democratic Opportunity.

The opportunity to bring back the Ma
tional Government to the control of the
Democratic party has not been so hopeful
for years as at the present time. Those
who will look at the history of our country
will see that up to the period of the Civil
War, the Democratic party was in control
of the government for most of the time.
The early development of the country,
and that which laid the foundation for all
its real greatness, occurred during the in
cumbancy of that party, and was fostered
by it.
Every substantial acquisition of territory,
bringing us from few States situated
along the Atlantic seaboard, to mighty
continent, stretching from ocean to ocean,
was conceived by Democratic statesmen
and carried out under Democratic admin
istrations, as was the case in the Louisiana
Purchase by Mr.. Jefferson and the acqul-
sition of Texas under the administration
of Mr.. Polk.
The men of the present day who were
born after 1860, have had no opportunity
of seeing the general government under
the full control of the Democratic party.
During all their lives the Republican party
has been in part, Or in full possession OF
the government.
This party, which has been the most
radical which has ever touched the govern
ment. was born in the throes Immediately
preceding the war; was fostered and led
by the war; entrenched itself in power by
the radical and revolutionary Legislation OF
the re- construction period, backed up by
the military arm of the government, and
finally found safe anchorage, as it believed,
in making Republican voters of the negroes
of the country. And SO, that party, rad
ical as it has been, has kept itself in power,
except for two periods during the Cleve-
land administrations.
And now all indications point to the fact
that the people are getting tired Of the
Republican party. Its high protective
tariffideas, which from Democratic stand
point cannot be defended upon any prlncl-
pie of equity or honesty, are beginning to
disgust many members of its own party.
The people are beginning to understand
that the attempt to hold colonial posses
sions, stupendous failure in itself, is at war
with the very genius of our government,
and a crime against our free institutions.
They are also waking up to the danger OF
the threatened entertainments of the federal
government upon the rights of the States,
so broadly outlined by Mr.. Roosevelt and
by Mr.. Root, his Secretary Of State, and
other prominent Republicans. And then
again, we believe, the people of the coun-
try are coming more and more to conclude
that party depending for its supremacy
of power upon the votes of the Ignorant
and irresponsible negroes of the country,
ought not to be in control of the govern
ment That after all is said, the white
people of this country, who made the
country, ought to rule it. This would
eliminate the Republican party from power
and we believe the people are ready for it.
We trust that wisdom will prevail in
Democratic councils, in preparation for the
great political battle of 1908. Leaders of
the Democracy of the country may depend
upon it, the people are with them, if they
have a fair chance. And that means
good, straight Democratic platform, and a
good, straight Democrat upon it.