The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-23

courage, patience and genius won for
US our American independence, ana
his period of public life came, tortu-
nately for him, in the earliest youth
of the republic, ere the oncoming con-
f1ict between opposing forces divided
the people into antagonistic groups.
But while We may not definitely state
that Washington, if alive today, would
be identified with the Democratic par
ty, we can with confidence based on
the knowledge of his character pro-
claim that he would be found a cham
pion of liberty, and justice and right
eousness, terms which are synonymous
with Democracy.
''It is, moreover, fitting that Wash
ington's anniversary should be official
ly celebrated by Democrats because
modern Democracy has risen above the
plane of a merely partisan organization.
Reversing the order followed by our
Kansas. and of the nation as well, now
place the public welfare paramount to
party advantage.
I'm the Kansas legislature of two
exhibited the same lofty patriotism
which characterized their fellows in
the national congress. On score of
questions they Joined hands loyalty
with the progressive wing of the Re
publican party, their votes turning the
scale in favor of numerous laws, the
passage of which was subsequently
claimed as a valuable asset belonging
organization being thus enabled, by
Democratic help, to go before the peo-
pie with the claim that its ante-elec-
ton pledges had been fulfilled.
Another splendid illustration of
Democratic patriotism was given fif-
teen months ago. When the panic of
1907 with scant warning struck the
commerce of the country a staggering
blow, all three departments of the
government were under Republican
control We are living under laws
enacted by a Republican congress-, in
terpreted by a Republican supreme
court and enforced by Republican
president The single gold standard
and the Dingley tariff were in full
bloom, and no Democrat, nor threat of
Democratic legislation, could upon
any possible pretext be charged with
responsibility for the whitening blight
that fell upon the land. Here was a
tempting opportunity for Democrats
to put party above patriotism. Banks
everywhere had suspended payment
except of small sums. The public
mind was in feveriSh state. 1t was
national crisis of the gravest impor-
tance. At that moment it lay within
the power of the Democratic party to
assure its own success in the impend-
ing national campaign by giving even
the gentlest push to the tottering fin
ancial fabric The distin guished Dem
ocrat of Nebraska, who was then as
he is now, the most influential private
verse word could have plunged the
country into absolute ruin and insured
the defeat of the Republican party.
But the adverse word was not spoken.
In unison with the Democratic press
and Democratic leaders of opinion in
all parts of the country, Mr.. Bryan
reassured the people. He counselled
prudence. and forbearance, helped to
stay the wave of doubt and suspicion
that was sweeping across the land
and sacrificed the dearest personal
ambition of his life upon the altar of
duty. Such was the exaltation of pa
triotism over partisanship."
Congressman BorIand's Speech.
Congressman William P. Borland of
Kansas City. Missouri. said: 1--WE be-
long to the oldest political party in the
history of our government: a party
which has survived every change of
administration from the adoption of the
constitution 120 years ago to the pres
cepts have always been the same: equal
and exact justice to all and special
privileges to none.
THE Democratic party with due al
lowance for all just criticism has kept
more nearly true TO the pole star of its
among men. The demand for equity
and justice and the fight against spe-
cial privileges and governmental favors
has been the guide and compass, not
only of our party, but all movements
for free government from the very
dawn of history. Men must either gov
ern themselves. by the exercise of mod
governed by others without their con-
sent.
self government and free institu-
tions cannot exist without political