Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1901 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

DEMOCRACY. From the beginning the Democratic party bag been misunderstood by mgny 'people, some of whom were incapable iof comprehending its principles aud many of whom had personal and political reasons for perverting and denying them. It is true also that it has bad leaders who either did not understand the ideas on which the organization was based or did not care whether they were preserved or not. Because Democracy in the early days favored manhood suffrage and opposed government by "tlie'wise, the rich and the good,” It was held by some of its enemies that it was antagonistic to the wise, the rich aid the good. Because Democracy resisted to the utmost every establishment of religion and every law.or custom preventing the free exercise of religion, it was declared in hundreds of pulpits that it was irreligious and pagan apd that its ascendency would lead inevitably to the destruction of all piety and all morals. Because Democracy denied the right of any man or of any set of men to regulate the cut and the color of the,people’s clothing, the persons interested In the maintenance of such laws set up the claim that It was Inimical to clean shirts, and must therefore be unclean and unwholesome. Because the Democracy opposed interference with the personal liberties of the people In all harmless customs it was set forth by fanatics and bigots that Democracy must necessarily be in league with the vicious and the degraded. Because Democracy denied the efficacy of oppressive and tyrannical prohibitory laws It was held by many people that It was beyond question the rumsellcrs' party. Because Democracy taught the people to be watchful in the presence of all who would abridge their rights and to resist all oppression to the utmost, ’it was set forth lu many a learned and solemn paper that It was a lawless and revolutionary organization, hostile to all government and lfcely at any time to breed sedition and engage in riot and rebellion. Because Democracy resisted and finally overthrew a monopolistic national bank, the advocates and servants of that bank set up the claim that it was hostile to business interests and to the rich. Reeause Democracy has antagonized the Whig and Republican idea that It Is a legitimate function of government to tax nil of the people for the benefit of a few of the people who may have Influence enough to secure the passage of tariff or subsidy laws, every beneficiary of such legislation has proclaimed* It as a fact that It was an enemy of labor as well as of capital and had British gold In ltg pockets. Because Democracy has not admitted that lnen In fine raiment were necessarily superior Intellectually and morally to men lu jeans and homespun, It has pleased society on many occasions to sniff at It and to decree that it was beyond the pale of fushlon. Because Democracy has frowned upon titles, decorations and flummery of every description and has so arranged the laws of this country that they are not to be had here. It never has been In high favor with the frivolous or the aristocratic. Because Democracy lias not approved of a Judiciary holding office for life and on several occasions has expressed In vigorous language Its appreciation of the dangers of such a system, It lias been held by many prejudiced or uninformed people to ho hostile to all eourts, unfriendly lo the administration of justice and more unless favorable to anarchy.

These me some o( the reasons why the Democratic party has been in bad repute with certain elements of our population. They explain many of the prejudices with which (he organization is regarded by people who have had no pejmmnl reason to entcrtulu such prejudices They are badges of honor aud not of dishonor. They have marked and emphasized the deliverance from political bondage of a great people. If the Ideas on which they arc based hud lteen more carefully observed by ths Democracy they would have caused the deliverance of that people from Industrial and commercial despotism, as well as from polltlral and social bondage. -Chicago Chronicle. On «!p;n Field fur Democrat*. There can lie no doubt about the overthrow of Republicanism at an early dale If Democracy should prove Itself to be worthy of the*confidence of the American jieople. With Imperialism, mtilfnrlsm, monopoly nnd profligacy provoking to open resistance a very large proportion of the best elements of the Republican |*nrly, the Democrats linve «u 01*00 field for achieving triumphs, Democratic leadership in State and ration must arise above tho conflicts of faction nnd the cupidity of spoilsmen.—Lcn veil worth Chronicle. No (Spoils In Reciprocity. The subsidy mongers urge that their hill should be passed because It Is a party nionsure to which the Republicans In Congress are solemnly pledged by their national platform. To reciprocity. the "twin '' of protection, the party Is also solemnly pledged in |t a platform, but there las manifest determination on ths part of Uia Repub-

llcan majority in Congress not to deem the reciprocity obligation. What la the cause of this great distinction in Republican pledges? The answer is simple enough. There are no spoils In reciprocity, while there are millions in steamship subsidy.—Philadelphia Record. Effect of the Wool Tariff. It has reached the ears of the Western wpol-growers that their high tariff on wool Is driving wool manufacturers to use shoddy and cotton to an extent probably never before exceeded, and the National Live Stock Association, In session at Salt Lake City, accordingly demands of Congress legislation to prevent the marketing of such mixtures ns woolen goods. How that would Improve the situation Is not explained. The people who are buying the mixed goods are doing so simply because they cannot afford to buy the all-wool fabric which high tariff taxes have put beyond their reach. This Is the whole story, and the Western ranchmen will learn It In time.—Springfield (Mass.) Republican. Climate Trying on American*. That our private soldiers cannot long stand the climate of the Philippines is an old story. Now come official reports that even officers, whose duties are less of a strain, and whose hardships are not so severe as those of privates, are unable to stand long terms of duty there, and a limitation of Philippine service to two years Is recommended. This will greatly add to the difficulties in the way of solving the problem. Just when an officer gets to a proper understanding of the situation, he will have to give it up and come home to recuperate.—Philadelphia Times. Chances for Manx Blander*. The Cuban question Is only approaching its crisis. Most of our troubles In the Island have been of our own creation, but there will still be splendid opportunities to blunder unless the United States show greater consideration for the Cubaus’ wishes. The best way now is the quickest way, and the sooner the Cubans are left to enjoy Independence the better it will be for Cuba and the United States and for the future relations of the two countries.— Philadelphia North American. Hanna Still the Boas. It has been given out that Senator Hanna is no longer in charge of the ship subsidy bill. That is an old deception that will not work now. Of course, Mr. Frye, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Is nominally in charge of the measure, but In reality Mr. Hanna, as editor and proprietor of the administration and the Republican party, outranks the Senator from Maine in any matter he may choose to take an interest in.—Cincinnati Enquirer. Should Be Looked Into. The charge of Senator Rawlins of Utah that the election of the new Senator in his State was accomplished under a deal between the national Republican leaders and the beads of the Mormou Church, by which the Mormons were promised immunity for tho practice of polygamy, should not be left unanswered. The party which refused to admit the polygamist Roberts to Congress cannot afford to rest under such au Imputation.—Buffalo Express. No Justice in the Measure, There is uo more reason why ship owners should be pnid a cent a mile per ton than there is why farmers should lie paid a bonus of a cent a cabbage per crop. The scheme is utterly indefensible. It is pernicious in theory, and In practice Is bound to lead to fraud and to result in tlie pampering and enervating of a healthy and growing Industry.—Rochester (X. Y.) Herald.

Illllion-Didlar Congress Outdone. The billlnn-dollar Congress Is a thing of the p«st. We are warned now to consider a bllllon-nnd a half-dollar Congress. As the country grows Its expenses Increase, but the appropriations made by the Congress now expiring largely exceed those of its predecessors, partly because of tho wars with Spain aud in the Philippines and partly because of reckless extravagance.—Philadelphia lAxlger. Parent of Many Steals. The high tariff theory Is the father of the ship bounty steal and other schemes for raiding the treasury. A policy which forces one set of citizens to pay nnottier set of citizens tribute for doing a particular kind of business Is Immoral and the breeder of countless Irn moral I ties, both commercial mid political.—Kansu* City Times. Not Bo Mitch of n Victory. ( Culloru's victory does not appear so awfully great when one considers the class of opposition lie had in his own party.— Omnlm World-Herald.