New-York tribune., 1910-04-28
DREAMING.

There has been a good deal OF talk
recently about the regeneration OF the
Democratic party. based on the fact that
I'm two normally Republican Congress
districts Democratic candidates have
been successful against Republicans who
in the opinion Of the voters were better
qualified 10 pursue the paths Of states
manship at home than at Washington.
Mr.. FoSs and Mr.. Havens have been &C
claimed as the beayen-sent leaders who
are going 10 show the battered and dis
couraged Democracy how simple and
easy il is 10 win at the polls, and that
acclaim has iarred not a little on the
chieftains who have guided the party
through its period Of eclipse and who
attribute their failure 10 adverse condi-
tions rather than 10 any defect in gen
eralship. These elder JeffersOnians are
naturally disgruntled because SO much
attention is being paid TO accidental vic
tors. elected not so much on their own
merits as on the demerits of their COM
petitors The Democratic party may
easily win in one campaign. the elder
statesmen say. because the voters turn
TO IL as & convenient instrument with
which 10 chasten the Republican party
for real or alleged shortcomings. But
they rightly assert that no party can
expect TO thrive indefinitely on the mis-
takes Of the opposition and that no per
manent lease Of power will be assured
q the Democracy until it stands
unitedly for something definite and In
telligible and something which the coun-
ny is eagerly waiting for.
Can the Democracy thus qualify itself
for popular success and solid political
achievement? Senator Bailey. Of Texas,
has Just pointed out one way in which
it can. in his opinion. although the plans
and specifications appended are rather
hazy. Mr.. Bailey favors return 10 the
glorious principles OF the party in the
days when it had no difficulty I'm con-
trolling Congresses and electing Presi-
dents. His suggestion IS:
If We could once more induce the DEM
oCratc party in every state and in the
Union to TcConsecrate itself to those
great principles which once constituted
it's strength and its glory We could again
enlist a majority Of these people under
our banner. and We would govern the
country with a justice and a wisdom tha5
would repeat our history from 1900 to
1860. during which time We lost but
three Presidential elections and ae-er
lost two in succession.
The Democratic party from 1900 10
1850 stood for policies which the coun-
try comprchended and IN the main ap-
proved. While ifs later slavery pro
cramme offended public sentiment in
Tho larger half Of the Union. it was yc.
consistent and partially defenSihle on
grounds Of expediency. But when
Democratic leader talks Of recommittinc
the party 10 the principles which il
recognized between 300 and 1860 he OBJ
vioUsly lodges the more practical and
important problem of committing IL TO
/ the principles which it is supposed IN he
recognizing and practising now. Can
! the Democratic party be united on any
/ programme affecting the problems of the
/ hour: II it cannot, il would be only a
piece Of political hypocrisy to try to
unite IL on principles and policies which
/ had vital meaning between 1900 and
! 1880 but to-day have little more than am
historical interest.
/ Mr.. Bailey says that Democrats Of all
classes must unite i'm rejecting "isms
and fads." But what one group calls
'sms and fads" another considers the
true faith. Is Mr.. Bailey willing TO
TenOunce his own eccentric notions Of
what constitutes Jeffersonian orthodoxy! :!
Major Hemphill. Of The Richmond
Times Dispatch" invites him To the test
and SAYS that the Texas statesman will
have Ito undo much that he has done
'and viii have 10 forget much that he Ina,
''Said when the Aldrich ahomlnation was
sitting in high places" VIII he not also
have 10 repent going 10 Richmond to
urge the Virginia Legislature TO ratify
the income tax amendments When Mr.
Bailey gets through with Mr.. Bryan's
fads and Mr.. Bryan with Mr.. Bailey's
what viii there be left for the Demo
cratic party io agree upon: Its locker
viii be as empty rs ever and the dream
Of "cnlisting ma iority Of these people
under its banner viii remain as fan
tastic as il has been at any time since
tie breakdown Of The second Cleveland
administration.