Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-30
Democracy's Handicap.

If Maine Democracy is beginning to
see the light, it is because it has been
overwhelmed with evidence. Maine
has responded slowly to the depres-
sion that has swept the country from
one end to the other. 1t will also
recover, under any administration, less
rapidly than some farther out in the
world sections Maine citizens have
been slow tosaccept the reports of in
creasing idleness and hard times. They
have given the Democratic party and
press the benefit of every doubt They
have not become hurriedly en-
thusiastic over the cumulative proof
that an irresistible wave of Republican
favor is sweeping the nation.
But day by day now they are accept
ing the facts. The Democratic
calamity howl sneer no longer pre-
vents them from recognizing the truth.
Out in the world beyond the Maine
border, leading newspapers of the
country are collecting the evidence
and reducing it to indisputabe, under
standable facts. 1t is not necessary
to study the partisan press of either
side for real information. We prefer
the independent papers and their mid
die ground from which they cut freely
in both directions.
The independent Washington Post
has been accused of leaning toward
Democracy, but we have found it very
fair. We have frequently quoted from
1t because of it's remarkable resources
and because we have afterward found
that its statements estimates and pre-
dictions measure up to reliability. In
quite remarkable editorial in the
Tuesday, July 20 issue of that paper.
the Terrible Handicap" under which
the Democratic party is laboring is set
forth. We believe our readers of all
parties will be impressed with the
facts here presented and that many
will get better understanding of ac-
tual conditions by a careful, thought
ful reading of the following:
Democrats in Congress who have
been deaf TO the voice of their constit-
uents and alive to the voice of the
White House are now trembling over
the outcome of the November elections.
There is a pail Of gloom over the en-
tire party, and the campaign begins
with the Democratic party apologize.
explanatory, and defensive.
Many Democrats in the House are
not so sure that they are anxious to
go nome tor the campaign, after all.
what would they tell their constitu-
enssE The White House influence. so
potent in Washington, becomes pretty
thin when spread out over the conn
Try. Witness the defeat of the admin
istration candidate for governor of
Texas, and the showing under of every
man who voted for the tolls repeal bill.
wherever the people have had a chance
10 get at him. In New Jersey the sup
port of the President had no effect in
saving Democratic candidate who
had announced himself in favor of
tolls repeal Perhaps the farmers of
that State remembered the speech OF
the Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent at Washington Grove, in which
he approved the tolls exemption plank
in the Democratic platform and told
the farmers why the Democratic party
was in favor of free American ships
through the Panama Canal, only t.
turn against them after he had been
elected.
Throughout the business world therx
is deep resentment against the Demo
cratic administration and its support.
ers in Congress. The halt in prosper.
lily is directly charged against the ad.
ninistration policy. In the South this