Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-12-11
Future of the Democratic
Party.

lDsseau Oh DelDR uOnc iOI Dy lfs
fourth successive disaster, the Demo-
cratic party finds, upon looking the
defeat over with some core, that it is
really an augury of future victory.
The party is a tough old sinner; its
vitality is astonishir regretfully
remarks Republican observer. the
Hartford Courant; and number Of lead
ing Democratic papers think that with
a few alterations here and there the
Democracy can be put in first-class
fighting trim. True, Mr.. Bryan was
beaten by some | 100000 plurality, but
if you figure it on the basis Of State re-
suits, the party was beaten by emily
400, 900. In many States the Democrat
ic candidates for Governor ran far
ahead of Mr.. Bryan, and Minnesota,
Ohio, Indiana, and Nvrth Dakota
elected Democratic Governors, altho
casting their electoral votes for Taft.
I he Democrats nave also reduced the
Republican majority in the House of
Representatives by ten or dozen
votes, gained Senator in Indiana,
and won Nebraska back to the Demo
cratic column.
Thus the party "emerges from the
battle In much better form than 1t was
four years ago." says the Brooklyn
Citizen (Dem.); and:the once Demo
cratic Baltimore Sun, which has been
supporting Taft in this campaign de-
clares that 'the stree 9Th shown by
the Democratic party in more than
one of the doubtful States attests It's
continued vitality in spite of al the
extraordinary shocks to which in re-
cent years II has been suhjected.u
"There is every PROMISE" the Harris
burg Patriot (Dem.) believes, "that
the Republicans will soon be opposed
by an organization so strong that the
leaders cannot fan to realize that they
must do Justice by the people, or they
cannot remain in power.". Mr., Wat
terson, In his Courier-J ournal, after
com pairing Bryan on his stumping
tour with Igustius Loyola preaching
the cross, goes 90 to give this hearten-
ing word to his fellow Democrats:
"Old-time Democrats will wait and
keep their powder dry. If they sho uid
despair, if they should break apart,
the country would be exposed to ps-
itical anarchy leading through radi-
calism and excess of every sort to prac-
tical irresponsibiIity on the one hand
and unrerenerate debauchery backed
by resistless force on the other hand.
ave may be power for good, tho
beaten and If opposition. Seven mill
lion of voters are never to be despised
in case they hold together. Many
States remain to us. The CONSTITUTE On
of the United States has not been aboI-
ished yet, nor instituted freedom, nor
wise and upright administration, and
these are still worth lighting for.
The Omaha World-Herald, the lead
ing Bryan paper in Mr.. Bryan's home
State, takes this hopeful view:
"The Democratic party will continue
to be the Democratic party, the guar
dian and exponent of the principles of
Thomas Jefferson. There 10 no room
for two Republican parties. There
must be party of sane and sprogres-
sive radicalism, and the Democracy
if il live must fulfil that function
/; The Republican party has gained a
new lease of power by opportunist fir
tation with Democratic policies. When
the insincerity of this diversion is at
length exposed, as it must be, because
the continuing influences in the Re-
publican party are auti-Democratic by
nature, by interest, and by intent, then
Democracy, If it has kept the faith,
will come into its own. And it will
keep the fifth. There is nothing else
for it TO do"
Mr.. Bryan, while not explicitly re-
NOM cling the hope of another pomin-
alton, says that he will serve the par
ty sin a private capacity" and ex-
poets to see its principles wiz. He
says:
81 have faith that the publicity
which we asked for will yet commend
itself to the Amer can people, that the
election of Senators by the people will
be secured, that tie inIquities of the
trusts will arouse opposition that
will result ia the elimination of,the
principle of private monopoly. l am
confident that the people will see the
necessity for the labor legislation and
the tariff reduction which our plat
form demanded. [ am confident. ton