Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1899 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

THEY NEED NOT WORRY. Republican newspapers are devoting • good deal of time and space these days in trying to show that the Democratic party is splitting np into a dozen factions. The wish is father to the thought, says the Kansas City Times. There is some “back talk” in the Democratic ranks, just as there always has been and always will be: That is because they are free and independent men, and that is why they always will be. But when it comes to doing pollti-* cal business with the Republican party they get right into line under a coupon banner and fight for a common cause. The idea of the Republican press is, of course, to make their rank and file believe that the party will have a. walkover next year and thus encourage them to stand fast—not run. Now, there is pleasure in admitting that all Democrats do not think alike on all questions. Thinking people do their own thinking. That is the reason why loud talking is ‘occasionally heard in the Democratic camp, but there is just one voice when the bugle sounds. Of course the Republicans arq mystified when they see how self-as-sertive and independent Democrats are, but that is because they have a

man to do their thinking for them. Mark Hanna is their thinker just now, and they are the doers. When he smiles they all smile, and when he groans they all groan, and when he -scries “copperhead,” “traitor," and the like they set up the same kind of a yell. Democrats have strings to them which tie them to the principles of the party, while the strings which are seen on Republicans have Boss Hanna at the other end of thepi, and when he pulls they jump. To Hanna the Republican party is an aggregation of wheels and cogs, with himself as the chief crank manipulator. So also may he be said to be the Republican press censor, and he obliges the party’s organs to run things in the matter of telling the truth just about as Otis runs things in the Philippines. Meanwhile they need not worry about the Democratic party. It will be in evidence at the right time.

Turchaaed Votes. Mark Hanna, having had such great success in his campaign of money in 1896, is now' engaged in selling out his business enterprises preparatory to devoting ail of his time to politics. Perhaps Mark Hanna thinks that a capacity for spending money in a political contest is all that is necessary for success, and that in 1904, he, the great briber of the country, may be able to purchase for himself the Presidential chair. But the people of this country make a distinction betw'een a bargain hunting political hack and a man who has won popular esteem through long and able public service. That McKinley owes his present position to the expenditure of vast sums of money Is admitted even by the Republicans themselves, who are now boasting of the wealth which is to be poured out in an attempt to re-elect him. But McKinley had been a prominent factor in politics for many years, was an orator of such plausible address that he had caused multitudes to regard him as a statesman. Mark Hanna possesses none of these popular characteristics. He is a crude, boorish, offensive creature who “conciliates with an ax,” and whose flaunting of money In the faces of the people is an Insult and a challenge for defeat —Chicago Democrat.

Stand by Monroeism. Any departure from our traditional course, which Europe could seize upon as an abandonment to Monroeism would be gravely detrimental to our peace and prosperity. In the present feverish attitude of some of our statesmen with respect to territorial aggrandizement and the partition of

weak and helpless people among the strong of the earth, it Is well that intelligent and conservative citizens should point out the increasing necessity of holding to the essential principles under which the republic has developed.—Philadelphia Ledger.

As a Republican Fees It. All is not harmony and rose-wreathed peace in the Republican camp. v Imperialism is not accepted joyously and unanimously by either the rank or file of the grand old party. Former Secretary Boutwell, long a trusted leader in the Republican party, has the temerity to institute a comparison between McKinley and Jefferson Davis favorable, strange to say, to the latter. In a recent letter which has been given to the press, Boutwell says: There has been no such departure from American ideas and principles in all our history, not even by Jefferson Davis, as is now in progress under the lead of the President. Jefferson Davis did not contemplate the destruction of the republic; he only contemplated its division. President McKinley is transforming this republic into an empire, and the permanent establishment of our authority in the Philippine Islands is the consummation of the undertaking. Had a Democrat made such a com-

parisop as this, the cry of “treason” would have been raised by administration newspapers. Under the circumstances, however, the organs devoted to McKinley remain silent. Evidently they deem discretion to be the better part of valor and ignore the bitter attack. Boutwell ought to be considered pretty good authority in regard to Republican politics. He lias been a Republican Congressman, Senator and Secretary of the Treasury. Democrats will not care to add to the anguish of Republican imperialists by insisting on an - administration reply to Boutwell’s remarks.

Evidence of Leadership. The essence of strong and successful leadership is displayed in such results as followed Mr. Bryan’s visit to Chicago. He once more shows himself to be a chieftain who confronts and vanquishes what others would avoid or temporize with. It is such men who compel, rather than court, success. The vexing problems which personal ambition is always raising to jeopardize party ascendancy, are minimized when such a leader lays bls strong, decisive hand upon them.—Chattanooga News.

Where la a Better Man? Those in the old Democracy who want to put down William J. Bryan would better find a man to equal him tn his clearness of statement, courage and convictions, and disinterestedness of motives, to say nothing as to the ability to advocate and to illuminate public questions. The Eagle is not in love with the man’s principles, but every American should be proud of his abilities anti of his character.—Brooklyn Eagle.

Dispatches that Never Came.

In the Philippines the sword Is mightier than the pen.—Chicago Journal.