The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-25
The Democratic Outlook

To the Salt Lake Herald:
Like many other Democrats. and q
great many Republicans as well. j was
considerably surprised at the results of
the recent election desire to have II
understood, however, that while / was
surprised l am not discouraged. There is
absolutely no reason why Democrats
should lose hope. The ultimate triumph of
the Democratic party is just as sure to
take place as our country is certain of
attaining that high position contemplated
by its founders. l am a firm believer in
the destiny of this republic, and as ] re-
fleet upon the issues of the past campaign
am convinced that the Democratic party
and Its standard bearer have done more
good for the country even in defeat than
the Republican party can do in victory
Time is an important element in all mat
tiers of education. Ii must not be forgot
ten that for more than a decade the Dem
ocratic party organization has been almost
wholly demoraliZed. Factions have rent
II asunder but by slow degrees it has
been passing through period of recon-
struction. AT the present time factional
differences in the party are fewer in num-
Der, sectional strife is less conspicuous
than they have been at any time within
twenty-five years. Under the chairman
ship of Mr.. Mack, and under the policies
adopted by him and the Democratic COM
mil1ee. our party is in better position to
confront the enemy than il ever has been
not be denied that the ideals of the Dem
ocratic party are in every respect COM
mendable and worthy; and ii is my firm
conviction that IL will conquer The
amount of life and vitality which any
party has depends not upon the accidents
of success or failure. but upon the virility
OF its principles. Judged by this standard
the Democratic party must inevitably sur
vive and ultimately prevail.
II is evident that the campaign Just
ended was waged mainly on both Sides
capital. 1t was supposed that after the
laboring masses had been turned out of
the Republican convention at Chicago,
and afterwards were treated with every
consideration by the Democrats at Dem
yer, the laboring men of the country
would, regardless of past political affilia-
items, give their support to the candi-
date for president who staked everything
on the championship of their cause. BY
various influences, however, the labor
vote was divided and a large portion of
it was given to the Republican party
very respectable number of laboring men
however, stood by the Democratic candi-
date in spite of the numerous coercive
methods employed by the Republican
party. Another element in the campaign
which was adopted for the first time
resulting. apparently, very much in the
interest of the Republican party was the
part which was taken by the president
He vacated the presidential chair which
he occupies, in theory at least, as the SER
want of all of the people, and converted
the prestige of his position into a cam
paign resource for his party. Naturally,
the thousands Of federal officials of all
ranks from cabinet officers to fourth class
postmasters. felt justified in following his
example, and the country was fairly del
uged with these official spellbinders. They
are. as rule. skilled in politics and po-
litical arguments. and it is no wonder
that they were able to influence a great
many voters. | submit. however. that no
fair-minded observer of conditions what
"a his nOlifiPa1 mill loi,
that this departure from the traditions
of the past is one TO be encouraged.
/ do not deem it necessary to enumer-
ate other causes which brought about
Democratic defeat After Welding. how
ever. to the Republican party full credit
for every worthy thing il has done and
taking the brightest view of what can be
expected of that party in the future. il is
my firm conviction that it is becoming so
hopelessly involved in the evils of gov
eminent now prevailing. that it is and
will be, powerless to eXtricate itself In
the meantime the Democratic party will
be gradually regaining the confidence of
the people; confidence. by the way
which was lost through unavoidable mis-
fortunes which came upon it during the
administration of the last Democratic
president
1t is only a matter of time when all
people will be convinced that the panic
OF 1898 was not at all the result of Mr.
Clevelands administration Until that
time comes many voters can be frightened
INTO voting IOr any party IN power for
fear of conditions becoming worse in the
event of a change. l am firmly of the
opinion that a majority of thinking peo-
pie are converted to our principles, but
many of these vote the Republican ticket
through the fear that If Mr. Bryan were
elected the financiers would produce a
panic just to teach the people not to con-
Germ themselves too much in elections.
And yon know, if flock of geese believe
they are being chased by a fox they will
run as fast and cackle Just as loudly, if
they are not as if they are actually being
pursued.
There are, what appears to me. TO be
good reasons for believing that the Re
publican party has passed the zenith of
it's career. In the first place. its leaders
are advocating the most widely discordant
views of governmental politics and the
esprit de corps OF the party is being main
tanned not by its principles. but by the
political genius of one man. Signs of
cisintegration within that party are rap
idly multiplying in almost every state Its
destruction Will come from within. Its
forces are centrepetal and not centrffu-
force 20 maintain the solidarity of the
party during Mr.. Taft's administration
and Mr.. Taft, himself. will find that he
cannot satisfy both the stand-patters and
the progressives; in attempting TO do so
his administration Will lack in vigor and
citizen will cease 10 be a national hero,
and in his passing the Republican party
will look in vain for another character
with Just that peculiar kind of histrionic
ability needed in such an emergency.
The cas-, is entirely different with the
the various stages of disintegration and
reconstruction IL is prepared to grapple
successfully with every problem which the
future OF the nation has in store. Democ-