The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-03-26
i the Last Tllrocs.

ttaif ~
In the Last Tllrocs.
'esident Grover Cleveland, in
the following question pro-
ID to. him by the New York
What Is the best princi-
ID what the best policy to give
Democratic party new life?"
a general proposition might
er' this question by saying that
my opinion this could be most
ely brought about by return to
buine Democratic doctrine and a
Use adherence to the Democratic
blicies which in times past gave our
barty success and benefited our peo-
sple."
The plain inference rin this ans
3 wer is that the Democratic party of
the nation has erred and strayed
from its ways like lost sheep, that It
has forsaken its former political doc
trlnes in one way and another un-
til at present it represents a COM
pick and diversified aggregation of
opinions that the question What is
Democrat" has come to take the
popular place recently occupied by
those brain turner's How old is
Ann?''l and s..Why9is mouse?"
Now, If the Democratic party has
forsailen its doctrines and must do
something quite soon in order to get
a new lease on life, naturally the
question why the, doctrines were de-
parted from in the first place arises.
Judging from the tests that they
have been subjected to in years past,
those doctrines have been weighed,
sampled. tested. and found to be
woefully wanting.
r Mr.. Cleveland's words point out
the fact that democracy and the Dem
ocratic party are two different and
distinct terms. The term democracy
+ nigh with more truth be applied to
the Republican party; and in COM
mon acceptance of the term might
with more appropriateness be so ap-
piled as the very founding of the Re-
publican party had for its great
principal the abolition of an institu-
tion favored by its opponent that
savored more of aristocracy than any
other political theory or doctrine of
modern times. Democracy, or DEM
ocratic government, means gov
eminent by the people, that is, a
system of government by and for the
benefit Of the common people as
against favored few. In several!
senses of the word the term as APP
piled to the political party now bear
ing that name is misnomer.
That the Democratic party has
strayed farther and farther away
from democratic principles instead
of trying to get closer to them has
been demonstrated by the trend of
political events and in the express
sions, of members of that party today.
Measures originated, advocated and
accomplished by the Republican par
ty, having for their object the pre-
vention of monopolistic and there.
retically aristocratic evils and which
have proved TO be salutary and i'm
proving to our system of govern.
ment, have been denounced and con-
demned by the Democrats as CON
trary to the general democratic ten
dency and based upon wrong prin-
ciples. The successful operation of
these measures since their applica-
ton however has proved to the con-
trary.
The Democratic party has, indeed,
strayed far away from its path. But
as the old path Was misleading, as
has been shown by experience and
history, it is obvious now that a new
\ path must be chosen, new party
formedA new system of political
doctrines formulated. In view of
this situation, it is clear that those
who have been enlisted in the dying
Democrats party must not long
hence enter new party if they de-
sire to have any voice in political af-
fairs. In choosing She party they
should study its doctrines and prln-
ciples carefully. And in choosing,
the splendid record, the beneficial ac-
complishments and the time tested
doctrines of the party of progress
and prosperity should be particular
ly appealing and encouraging.
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