The Free Press And Democracy

It is indeed a cause for sincere regret with us, that in their recent deliberations the Democracy of Michigan did not frame a declaration which would meet the exacting standard of the Free Press eode of political ethics. A due regard for the large volume of music which that organ contributes to the political chorus, guided by consideratious of common prudence would certainly have brought about this, (to the Free Press; desirable result. It may be thoughtlessly objected that the Free Press is a journal of no political principies- at all events no Democratie principies. But this does not fairly describe the situation. As well say that a horse dealer is a man of no horses. The horse dealer, it is true, has no particular attachment to his horses, no desire to retain them. He takes them only to part with for a profit. He buys, sells, changes and swaps. And so it is with the Free Press. It is a journal of all principies, with strong predilections for flnancial ones. lts guiding spirits possess the versatile faculty of adapting to the questions of the hour, from their varied assortment, principies whose advocacy is calculated to induce a restf ul and self complacen t feelir.g of don't- giveadamativeness in the business office. And, taking this view of the influence and usefulness of journalism the Free Prees is extremely fortúnate. Like the Irish worthy, who, when upbraided for selling his country, replied, "And thanks be to Heaven I have a country to sell," the Free Press has a stock in trade which, if properly handled, will form a most continuous and, possibly, satisfactory source of revenue. And who will question the right of the Free Press to label its present "convictions" Democratie? It matters not if they contain naught of the homely teachings of Jefferson. It is of no consequence that they are intended to promote the welfare of the hereditary enemies of popular Democracy. It is equally immaterial that these "convictions" spring from a deep and abiding sense of duty to the private interests of the wealthy stockholders of the Free Press company. The Republican supreme court of Michigan, while laboring under the influence of an acute spasm of partizan idolatry, has said that the Free Press and its following of t905 worshippers of the golden calf are the Democratie party of Michigan. Though the effect of this decisión is to make political outcasts of the 236,994 Democrats who followed the banner of the Democratie organization of the United States in 1896, the supreme court has said so, and, as the supreme court is a bigger iustitution even than Hazen S. Pingree its dictum will have to stand. Did the supreme court adjudge Mark Hanna to be a Democrat of unimpeachable antecedents it would be useless to question its flndings. 80 there is "law" if not reason to support the claim of the Free Press to prescribe the conditions of fellowship in the Democratie party of Michigan. The relative importance of the Free Press contingent to the Democratie party now marshalleij under the leadership of Justin R. Whiting, with reference to the politics of the future, may be likened to a little, wheezing, puffing, snorting harbor tug and a great ocean liner. The sphere of the tug is limited and local. It must keep close to shore. j Witbin its narrow environment it is useful but not indispensable. It owes its origin and derives its income froin temporary service to the larger craft, While the ship may be freighed with precious humanity and the valuable merchandise of distant climes the tug perhaps bears a pilot who is familiar with the tortuos channel which leads to some particular wharf or the harbor master with authority to select the anchorage of the visitor. The comparative insignificance of the one and the noble proportions of the other may be accentuated by the fact that the tug is equipped with a louder and more penetrating whistle than the ship. But all this does not matter. This is not the first instance in history where a tail has been engaged in an encleavor to wag the dog unfortunate enough to be attached to it. As the Free Press speaks from under the wings of the supreme court and with the assurance of one aecustomed to the exercise of authority it is really too bad that the Democratie party was so inconsiderate as to wholly ignore the gyrations of its erstwhile caudal appendage. Pbof. E. L. Waltek whose tragic death on the French liner Bourgoyne is recounted in another column was one of those kindly, unasuming men who are universally loved and reepected.