Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-05-20
THE FUTURE OF THE PARTY.

49,
when it can marshal a voting force of
six million men, in the face of such OPP
position as the democratic party had to
meet. Need democrats be discouraged
when they can make such a showing:
But hope of future democratic success
Is to be found in the economic conditions
of the country. as we'll as in a survey of
the vote. President Taft can not
possibly satisfy the expectations of both
elements Of the republican party. He
held the reform republican vote through
Welt gave him. but can he hold this vote
when he comes face to face with the
economic questions which press for
solution: With a republican senate
and ~ republican house controlled by
what Mr.. Roosevelt calls r~eactionaries.
how can he escape conflict either with
the republican leaders or with the
republican voters Of the western states
The democratic party. on the contrary.
is in sympathy with the growing demand
for remedial legislation: its platform
outlines the reforms which must be
secured. The reactionary republicans
will, in all probability, put their party
on record against these reforms, and by
that record :. must be judged in the
next campaign. The democratic party
IS, therefore. rowing with the tide, for
the tide is onward. In its fight for the
publication OF politics. it is on the side
of the majority: in its fight for q nearer
approach to popular government. it is
On the side OF the majority: in its fight
sor the oTer-throw of private monopoly
and the restoration of competition. it Is
on the side of the majority. In its de-
mana for real and thorough tariff reform
1t Is supported by public sentiment: in
its lnsistence upon effective railroad
regulation, it has the people behind it.:
IN its effort to secure greater protection
to bank depositors, it is the champion
of the majority.
Already the republicans are ~wrangling
among themselves over tariff revision.
and they will wrangle still more as they
come nearer to the time for action: while
the democrats, recognizing the response
bility of their position. and strong in
the confidence that they feel in the
Righteousness of their cause. are pre-
pared to wage q winning fight against
an opposition already panic-stricken. 1t
Is more than p%ossible-it is even probable
that the house of representatives to
be elected in 1910 will be democratic.
With that democratic body sending
remedial measures to the senate, the
issues of 1912 will be clearly drawn. and
the republican party will be put on the
defensive.
With several new democratic COVER
nors in the states where the reform
element Is strongest, and with the pro-
spect of q democratic ngr to
formulate the issues Of 1912. there is
every reason to believe that q number of
strong leaders will be developed. and
that from these a democratic candidate
canbe selected who, by the aid of events
and with a united party behind him.
can win a national victory for democracy
and inaugurate the reforms. the ad-
vocacy of which has given to the
democratic party its wonderful vitality
and its increasing strength.
No n need for a moment think that
the democratic party is dead, or doubt
chat the republican party will find in it
an adversary worthy to be considered.
It is the reform party Of the country:
and it not only stands for reforms, but is
strong enough to give to the reformer a
reasonable prospect of seeing his hopes
realized. The stars in their courses are
fighting for democracy. not only here,
but everywhere, and by fidelity to demo-
cratic principles and to the people
whose only hope of securing justice is to
be found in the application of democratic
principles to every department Of govern
ment-the democratic party will earn a
victory, and. earning. will win it.