The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-06-09
CHAMP CLARK's PARTIsANsHIP

There is a youthful buOyancy about
the partiZanship of Champ Clark. He
has viewed the tribulations of the
Republicans in the House for several
more uith an eye glad with the hope
ratio victory. He has looked
ger into the present state Of
al luX than to find in it a chance
for Democratic triumph at the polls
Good man as he is and pleasant
Chautauqua orator, Champ Clark has
not comprehended the nature of the
debate now on in America. If the
people saw nothing more in ii than a
chance for Democratic victory. they
would quickly compose their coun-
tenances and call off the fight.
What is there ABOUT the Democratic
rarty to exalt the American people to
frenzy of enthusiasm for its triumph
ct the polls? Does its recent history
or its present leadership offer any
thing of value to a people burdened
with serious problems, and determined
20 condition themselves for a noble bat
tie for popular rights?
The Democracy is hardly yet recov-
cred from the shock of seeing its mem
bership in both houses voting for what
its platform denounces as robbery
| 1t is scarcely yet recovered from the
shock of a disagreement by its lead
| ing Senators over the question of free
raw materials. and the denial by sew.
eral of them of the right of national
| conventions to guide the votes of mem
hers of Congress.
Mr. Clark proudly swells his chest
| over the alleged fact that his party is
united. What is it united over? Over
nothing in the Senate, so far as can
be seen. Over the prospect Of getting
the Speakership in the House This is
the only question upon which it has
shown union, and even that Is but re.
cent
| In the extra session the Democratic
minority could not be brought together
upon this or any other question. Ii
failed Mr.. Clark in his attack upon the
rules. 1t slid gracefully to the rear.
when an assault was proposed upon
the Speaker. 1t came together again
upon that question when the Insur-
gents proposed the issue and convinced
the Democrats that they could win
This is the united party to whose flag
Mr.. Clark points as to an oriflamme
Of victory.
There is no quarrel with Mr.. Clark
picturesque exposure of Republican
differences of opinion. If they did not
| exist, there would be no chance for the
minority party. There would be no
opening for Champ Clarks humorous
speeches. They are good reading, and
we delight in them. But as a serious
| attempt to interpret the present MOOD
| Of the country these fall far below the
| mark. The issue is still in the Repub
lican party 1t is still with the Repub
lean primaries. With proper nomina
| tons and with clean-cut platforms. the
Republicans can go back to Congress
and retrieve their mistakes.
Mr. Clark makes light of the idea OF
a Tariff Commission TO gather inform l.
ton The President, he says, with
sarcasm, needs information. But does
| he not think that the Democratic party
| also needs Information? Can he seri
ously affirm that the present Demo
cratic minority in the House, if trans
formed into a majority, could frame a
tariff bill that would suit the country
much better than the Payne bill? He
will not find an affirmative answer in
the history of any tariff bill the Demo
cratic party has Minneapolis
Journal