The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-03-13
TRIUMPHANT DEMOCRACY.

This is day of triumphant dem
ocracy. But amid the tumult and
the shouting the Republic would re-
mind it's readers that an admlnistra-
ton has many days besides election
day. And the verdict of the nation
and of history is made up, not on
election day, with it's hard work and
it's cleancut results, but on the sue
cession of common days that follow.
The outcome of the Wilson ad-
ministration: What does it depend
on? Chiefly on the rank and file
of the American democracy.
We nave chosen, and are today
inducing into Office, an executive
who, in the governor chair OF a
corporation ridden state. has proven
himself. to be leader Of immense
resolution, high ideals and the gift
of getting things done. There has
never been a time when there was
less doubt, on the incoming of an ad-
ministration, Of congress. 1t was
the brilliant record of tie democratic
house, chosen in 1910, that made last
November's verdict possible. That
house secured cooperation from 4
senate nominally republican, in pass
ing progressive measures; what Will
it not do, with democratic senate
in the opposite wing of the Capitol?
The real factor of uncertainty,
fellow democrats, is ourselves. Let
us leave the realm of generalization
and come down to particulars. The
first task before the Wilson admins
tration is the revision of the tariff.
When the work of the special SEES
sion begins, the work of the special
interests will begin also; in fact, IN
seen and unheard, it is going on now.
1t is impossible to cut privilege out
of the tariff without hurting the
privileged ones. It is impossible to
take from an industry the artificial
stimulus of tax laid on the whole
people for the benefit Of the propri-
etors of that industry without fore
ing reorganization and change OF
methods. When the 100 per cent
tariff on gloves and the 10 per cent
tariff on blankets and the 100 per
cent tariff on carpets are lowered to
something near a revenue basis, the
mills now turning out these goods
will, many of them, have to be i'm
proved selling methods will have 70
be reyolutionized; new economies
must be introduced.
Now, the making of a democratic
tariff bill is not an occasion for per-
suading the democratic congressman
to abandon democratic principles;
perish the thought! 1t is simply 4
time of many attempts to get this
congressman, and that senator, and
his fellow yonder, to reorganize the
reasonableness of one exception, or
two, to the general rate. Then, when
all the members of congress meet
and each insists on one or two harm
less exceptions, true tariff revision
is impossible.
The democratic party has chosen
a president whose eye is single to
the strict fulfillment of party
pledges. 1t has elected a congress
under a tried leadership, directed by
men familiar with the problem Of
tariff revision along democratic lines.
Al that is required successfully to
perform this first great task is ade-
quate moral support from the peo-
pie at home We must stand by our
senators and representatives and de-
mand that the siren voices of spec
ial interests be disregarded and that
the mandate of November 5 be car
ried out.
Triumphant republicanism, before
now, has been matter of the will
and mandate of the few. Trium-
plant democracy can result only
when the people speak with one
voice. Let US meet the test.-St.
Louis Republic.