Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1900 — WHY? [ARTICLE]

WHY?

Lafayette Journal: Atiy man of observation must be nwnre that the Democratic party is not crushed as a result of the election last week. Every man of judgement must know that the party is stronger, more Bolidified, more resolute, more devoted to the principles of the last campaign than ever in the midst of that last stern battle on the eve of the polling. They read the reports of victory everywhere, and an expression of changeless determination of grim resolve, settles on their faces. They rend of “reorganizations” planned by men who helped Mark Hanna. They follow the counsel and advice of theorists who want’this, that and | the other thing left out of the platform next time, and this, that and the other man relegated to the rear.

Why do not they realize in their tremendous defeat the hopelessness jof further contending against Rej publicans? Why do they not ’give up,and join the Republican party? Why do the thousands who had nothing to hope for even jin Democratic victory conclude the nation prefers to follow Mr. ; McKinley and his leaders? Why Ido not those who might well hope for office, who are fitted for public position.who deserve well of I their neighbors, abandon the old | organization and ally themselves j with the dominant party? The j loaves and the fishes are there, ’ why do not Democrats go ofer? Because they are right. Because they are conscious their cause is just. Because they believed what they said before election, and can see nothing in the circumstance of a defeat to charge the everlasting verity of their faith. And they are right. You may aliout new policies till the [ cows come home. But the truth is the policies advocated in the I campaign of 1900 were the policies of the people. The people demand!ed every line and word that was written in the Kansas City platform. and they would have ridden I their delegates on a rail if the I platform had contained less.

They demanded Mr. Bryan as a standard bearer, nnd did so with a voice so emphatic and commanding that no uinn commissioned by them dared refuse. They would have howled any other candidate off the ticket, and called a new convention within a week. What was done was done by the straight, the direct command |oft ho people. They lost in a light against money—ns they have lost before, ns they may lose again But they will fight to the crack of doom before they will abandon their position, because they know their position is right ns they know the Lord ! God reigns in the heavens. This is nn irrepressible conflict, j ns certainly as was that earlier one which abolitionists waged; and it will end in the same way though heaven grant, without the cost of bloodshed. It is little difference whether you call the name tariff j reform, or free silver, or trusts, or ! what not. It is Wall street | against the nation. It is no array iug of mass against class. It is I self-defense of the people against the assaults of the plutocrats. Money hns become the king, i The millionaire is enthroned. ; Every element of the nation must 'pay tribute to thnt jmwer «euj trenched in office, bulwarked in business. It is not poverty ! against riches. It is simply the i call of the burdened millions for that simple justice to which the ! living ns men in the image of God |entitles them. The lino of cleavage is between

the few very rich on the one hand, and the independent, working, producing, respectable, law-loving millions on the other. And the latter class is Democratic. It is the Democratic party. It always will be so. Give it a Wall street platform and a stock gambling candidate and it' will stay away from the polls. It will not train under any banner other than the banner of Democracy, nor follow any leader who does not stand for Democratic principles. And because it is right, because its principles are the lifehood of the nation, and unless it prevails the nation must perish—because of this, democracy will win! That’s why.