Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1908-04-09
What a Demo-
crat Thinks.
EX-GOV. DOUGLASS OF MASS.
OUTLINES DEMOCRACY

States asked Governor Douglas
"What must the Democratic
party do to VIM" and his reply
was so wise, so statesmanlike,
and reveals so accurate con-
ception of the principles Of true
Democracy, that if space per-
mitted we would reproduce the
whole article in this connection:
Among other things he said:
First, the Democratic party
must make tariff reform the
foremost issue.
Second, it must oppose the
increase of Federal power, and
revert to the doctrine of State
rights.
"Third, it must fight special
privileges in every form.
Fourth, it's leaders must get
together on the common ground
with the fundamental princi-
pies of Democracy as a basis,
casting aside extreme radical
doctrines on the one hand and
ultra conservatism on the other.
TRUSTS are a natral and logi-
cal result of a high protective
tariff. With a high tariff wall,
you prohibit foreign competi-
ton, you invite the competitors
in any industry inside that wall
to get together to sustain prices
and bleed the penned-up con-
sumers. We should not be sur
prised that we have so many
trusts, and that they put the
prices up so high. 1t is not sur
prising that we have graft and
corruption in public and private
life. 1t would be strange if our
present tariff system did not re-
suit in trusts and graft. 1t is
equivalent to a license to form
combinations and trusts to graft
off the public.
"The blighting tariff tax on
raw materials has so checked
the industrial growth of New
England that great numbers of
men are forced out of employ
ment and compelled to emf
CRATE. The South and West re-
ceive them with open arms. Our
young men, our slSillful work.
men, do not desire to leave their
homes and kindred, but the
odious tax on raw materials
makes Massachusetts, ever less
and less inviting. We begged
for free coal, free lumber, free
iron, free wood pulp, and free
hides, that we might earn our
daily bread and keep our chill
dren at home. We are still
praying for this relief, but the
whispers of the trusts have
drowned our loudest appeals"
II am not believer in this
.modren tendency to centralize
more and greater power in the
Federal government. | have
children and grandchildren. l
want to feel that they shall en-
joy in the future the blessings
Oh free democratic government.
l want them protected from the
dangers of monarchical govern
ment, and all that tends towards
autocracy. l believe in the rights
of States to control their own
affairs.
II believe that they should
have the same independence the
original thirteen enjoyed at the
time they Joined in forming this
Union. The constitution is the
same constitution we have to-
day. 1t was good enough for
them. 1t gave us our Union,
our unexampled growth, our
prosperity, our prominence
among nations of the earth. 1t
is good enough for me today
without seeking to change it's
fundamental principles or it's
intent"
When the Democratic party
<'stood four square to every
wind that blew" it won, but
when it began to trim its sails
to catch every passing breeze
of shifting popular sentiment
born out of unusual transitory
condition, it lost.
Governor Douglas statement
rings like a bugle call to battle,
and it is gratifying to know that
he and Mr.. Bryan are well nigh
in perfect accord.