The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1916-11-10
DEMOCRACI'S
OPPORTUNITY.

DEMOCRACl'S
OPPORTUNITY.
At this writing Thursday noon) it
appears that the Democratic party has
been continued in power in the nation,
and that Woodrow Wilson, Of world
wide eminence as a Christian states
man, will for four years more WELD
the scepter of government in these
United States.
Not since the election of Grover
Cleveland in 1884 has it required so
much time to determine the results of
a national election. At midnight on
Tuesday, judging from returns from
the eastern states, it appeared almost
certain that the republicans had won
and there was joy in that camp with
a corresponding gloom in the camps
of the democracy. On Wednesday
morning this was changed as returns
from the western states came in.
These western states, together with
the solid south, now appear to make
sure the reelection of Mr.. Wilson.
Had the democratic party suffered
defeat it would have meant the end
Of that party as a factor in national
government during the life, at least,
of men now living.
The continuance Of Mr.. Wilson in
the presidency. with democratic con-
gress, means that the plans of whole
some legislation for the betterment
of the condition of the common peo-
ple will be continued, and that the
Democratic party has been selected
by these peoDle to work out a greater
destiny for them and the country.
President Wilson has set a high |
standard in intelligence and political /
morals and the democratic party can
not afford to lower the colors, and |
has not done so in order to gain a
continuance of power.
Mr.. BRYAN, possibly next in rank to
the president in the councils of the
party, has already said that he in
tends to devote his time from now on
to work for nationwide prohibition.
This is an issue the country must
face, and the democrtac party under
high leadership is preparing to face
it.
The liquor interests are at bay; are
on the defensive, but are fighting des-
perately and are willing to hold any
party between them and the fire.
The democratic party can not af-
ford to shield the brewer, the dis
tillery and the saloon from the rising
wrath of determined people. Dem
ocracy is the nations hope on politi-
cal and economic questions, and it will
not, under present day leadership, by
taking sides with the liquor interests,
repel those who put moral issues first.
The young men of the country are
democratic by nature, but they will
not submit their claims to political
preferment to those who conspire
against the home and every thing
good, and neither will they find pot
house politicians congenial party as
sociates. To Mr.. Wilson, more
than to any other president in The
past two generations, is the country
for this higher standard of
politics.
T1ose whose support depends upon ;
to the liquor interests
disgrace the party while they are with !
t, and then leave it if it refuses to {
)bey them. They have been the
niIIstones about the neck Of the party F
n the past, hut are rast beng shaken
Dose by President Wilson and leaders
ike Mr.. Bryan
The democratic party is now. more o.
han ever before, the party of the fu-
ure-and it has a chance to enter Il
he Promised Land by continuing its f
'ecord Of moral achievement. And it o.
will not allow the liquor interests to q.
cad it away into the wilderness. Get p
'eadv for the fight. y