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maym.mos The Commoner. 7
THE PLACE TO DO THE MOST EFFECTIVE WORK
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In its issue of March 17, Tho Commoner an
nounced the Primary Pledge plan of organization.
The letters so far received have been more than
gratifying, and it must bo plain to everyone who
has read the extracts from letters received at Tho
Commoner office, that in all sections of tho coun
try democrats are enthusiastic in their determin
ation that their party shall so shape its policies as
to be of practical service to the people. The
Primary Pledge plan js not to be the work of a
week or of a mbnth. It Is to be the work of years
and it will, require considerable time in which to
cover the entire field. But if every reader of The
Commoner will co-operate in this work and will
call upon his democratic neighbors to work with
him, the field will be covered and the great work
will be accomplished.
This plan does not involve the writing of a
platform in advance of the primaries; it dbes not
rest upon the paramount importance of any one
issue. It recognizes the right of the democratic
voters to control the policy of the democratic
party, and to determine its position upon public
questions. It also recognizes the importance of
honesty and sincerity in politcs.
Every democrat is asked to 'pledge himself to
attend all of the primaries of his party to be held
between now and the next democratic national
convention, unless unavoidably prevented and to
use his influence to secure a clear,' honest and
straight-forward declaration of tho party's position
on every question upon which the voters of tho
party desire to speak. Those desiring to be-enrolled
can either write to The Commoner approv
ing the object of the organization and asking to
have their names entered on the roll, or they can
fill out and mail the blank pledge which is printed
on page 14 of this issue. Newspapers approving
, the plan outlined, -are requested to reproduce tho
primary pledge calling upon their readers to sign
and return the same.
Judge Charles X Fisk, district judge at Grand
Forks, N. D., writing1 under date of April 28, says:
'My name is signed- to the enclosed primary
pledge and I desire to say that I am in hearty sym
pathy with .the movement; and the general senti
ment among the democrats in this vicinity is the
same. It goes without saying that the place to do
effective work in the interest of the rights of tho
people is at the primaries. This was the plan
we pursued in North Dakota in the Rummer of
189G and the result was a practically unanimous
sentiment in our county and state conventions and
the so-called 'Qleveland sound-money democrats'
remained at home or were mere spectators at our
conventions. "I am glad at all times to do what
little I can to assist in the great work you and
Tho Commoner are doing in the interest of the
common people and good government."
Edward O. Sharpe, Evangelist of Christian
church, writing under date of Carllnville, 111., May
G, says: "Find herein my pledge to attend pri
maries and fight for the preservation of genuine
democracy. It was an undoubted inspiration on
your part to plan this method of securing a revival
of interest in the rank and file of the democratic
party in behalf of righteous popular government.
I wish to be considered in line and ready for any
active duty that will promote the welfare of the
party and the people. For you, Mr. Bryan, my
heartfelt prayers go up daily to God that you may
be spared to see the triumph of the .patriotic prin
ciples for which you have so bravely battled. In
firm faith of ultimate victory, I remain yours in
full fellowship."
A. B. Callaway of Seymour, Mo., is not yet a
voter, being only eighteen years of age, but Mr.
Callaway writes to say that he feels it to be his
duty as a democrat to help further the Primary
Pledge" plan. He encloses a number of pledges
signed and asks that ono hundred blank pledges
be forwarded to him. He says: "I believe it obli
gatory upon every democrat in the land to help
make this great movement a success. We must
have a better organization and yours is the best
plan to secure a good one. The party must fight
its battle upon honest issues and must always
stand by the people."
This young man has set a good example to
older democrats. He will be of great service in
this plan of organization and who may doubt that
when he reaches his majority, the vote of the man
will be cast in accordance witji the training of the
lad.
It would be well if every other young man In
IN THE INTERESTS OF THE
PEOPLE IS AT THE PRIMARIES
this country could imitate tho good example sot
by young Callaway.
Extracts from other letters, everyone enclos
ing primary pledges, follow:
Allan Kennedy, Ft. Smith, Ark. Enclosed
please find my pledge. It is ono I shall keep, for
I realize the necessity there Is for such action
by the real democrats of the country. The party
needs rescuing from Influences in Arkansas which
are as bad, if not worse, than the plutocratic in
fluences of tho monled wing of tho party.
Chas. B. Bechtol, Coshocton, O. It is with
pleasure that I send the pledge, signed. I heartily
approve of your good work, and stand ready to
do what I can, to help tho movement along. I am
committeeman in my township and am willing to
trust the rank and file. I believe tho great majo
rity of democrats favor the reforms you advocato
in The Commoner.
John A. Dodds, Sandoval, 111. It is with pleas
ure I sign this pledge. I think this is a splendid
way to arouse and encourage tho part of Democ
racy that should control the party, and I feel that
this move on your part with the help of the com
mon people, will head off another farce conven
tion such as we had in 1904. There are yet
plenty of good democrats in this country, but
they want sincere leaders and sound principles
to work for.
Samuel Holmes, Missouri Valley, la. En
closed please find primary pledge. The plan Is a
good one. "Back to the people!"
Dr. D. H. Patton, Woodward, Okla. Enclosed
I send primary pledge signed up by good loyal
democrats. The pledge is no new obligation for
any of them, as they are all workers and in lino
with the policies advocated by The Commoner.
I don't think there is a democrat in the country
who-would refuse to sign It If an opportunity were
offered.
A. E. Chamness, Indlanola, Ind. I am very
glad to sign this pledge and to be enrolled in
the -list
H. W. Lewis, Creston, 111. Herewith primary
pledge I am a democrat and believe In tho
honest and just rule of the people.
F. Runde, Chicago. Enclosed please find tho
primary pledge, signed, r hope it will do great
good-for the next convention to have a united
party and a platform that will bo democratic.
I am one of the 1896 independent democrats, and
still believe in the Chicago platform. I think
we can' win in 1908 if the primary laws are taken
out of the politicians' hands and left to the public
to nominate their Own men for conventions from
each district.
'I. N. McClintock, Horton, Kans. I want to
be enrolled among the old guard of fighting demo
crats, and promise you and all the readers of
the grand old Commoner that I will continue to
attend all the democratic primaries and help
name a ticket and write a platform, and then
with good democrats take off my coat and help
elect It from top to bottom.
S. V. O'Hare, attorney, Muskogee, I. T. En
closed pleaso find primary pledge, from last issue
of The Commoner. Before locating in Indian Ter
ritory, I supported with all the energy I had in
Iowa for ten years, the principles advocated, by
Mr. Bryan and his brand of Democracy, and
while as yet we have no vote in national elections
here, we will long before the time to elect tho
next president comes 'round.
Dr. W. B. Mead, Lawton, Okla. I herewith
enclose my primary pledge. Let the democrats
take the advance step toward placing- the people
in control of the government they are taxed to
support. Let us In convention assembled say
what we mean and mean what wo say. Discard
expediency and fear, and declare boldly for the
right.
C. L. Chaffee, Lyndonville, N. Y. Enclosed
find signed primary pledge, of which I heartily
approve.
Henry C. Luttrell, Myrtle Point, Oregon You
may enter my name on your primary pledge. I
am in favor of democratic organization and always
attend all the primaries of my party.
W. A. Hodges, Salt Lake City, Utah. En
closed with this are two primary pledges, ono
signed by myself, tho other by my daughter. We
heartily endorse your plan for securing to the
plain people of the democratic party the control
of .Its policy, which properly belongs to them. It
has been well said that there is not room for
two republican parties in this country, therefore
in tho contest which Is now on botwoen tho
maEses and tho classes, between tho peoplo and
plutocracy, tho democratic party must stand for
tho rights of tho peoplo against tho forces of
organlzod greed, for tho commonwealth against
tho privileged monopoly, or, falling in this, glvo
placo to tho now party which must suroly come If
tho quasi republicanism which controlled our last
national convention should dominate tho next cue.
Z, W. Shrader, Nehawka, Neb. I will bo at
every primary and on election day will work -for
my party.
John Fluhorty, So. McAloster, Ind. Tor.-Enclosed
Is a pledge from a democrat who never
gives in to defeat, and ono who believes In fighting
for tho democratic principles, even though wo
loso or win.
John Argus, Hammondsport, N. Y. I want
to do my share In this work so here find my
pledge enclosed; With pleasuro I Join hands
with tho great common peoplo through tho col
umns of Tho Commoner In helping to marshal to
gether tho laboring men of tho nation.
M. M. Murray of Yellow Springs-, Ohio. Your
plan has my most hearty endorsement, and I will
do my part to carry It out.
W. J. Lodbetter, Shawnee, Miss. Earnest
wishes for tho success of pure and uudefllcd de
mocracy. . C. C. Lcmen, Martlnsburg, W. Va. I tako
great pleasuro in signing.
A. F. Johnson, Paris, Texas. I think this
primary pledgo will be the making of the ucmo
cratlc party in tho future.
J. N. Barton, Loomis, Cal. Find pledge to do
just what I have been doing since my majority.
I am now 75 years of age and during all these
lpng years of service, 1 have been a determined
democrat.
D. A. Roach, Indianapolis, Ind. This form of
organization is certainly commendable. If tho
democratic masses will adopt and carry out this
idea, we will soon get back to primitive principles.
C. C. Foemwalt, Dexter, N. M. Am In hopes
it will bo signed by every democrat in- the United
States. Will do all I can to got others to sign it,
Wm. F. Stacy, Callao, Mo. Herewith I en-
closo you primary pledge with 110 names. Pleaso
send mo more blanks to distribute through the
different townships and will try and organize this
county along this line.
A. V. Howard, Sibley, Mont. I wish to be en
rolled. Edward Casey, Sr Sleepy Eye, Minn. I think
it a good plan and hope It will bring all those iu
favor of good government together irrespective of
party. Will do what I can to induce others to sign
tho pledge. -
T. J. Bevlns, Canada, Pike county, Ky. I hope
every one that signs the pledge will act according
ly as it will build up the democratic party on old
time Jeffersonlan principles.
D. M. ElkJns, Caps, Ala. It is my intention to
attend the primaries and work with renewed en
ergy for the principles as enunciated In 189G and
1900. I have read every issue of The Commoner
printed so far and have stood with It in every
thing save voting for Parker. I simply did not
vote in that election.
S. A. Hayward, Hayward, Okla. I think tho
Primary Pledgo will be a great instrument in lead
ing to success In tho next election. I am glad to
have an opportunity of signing this pledgo.
K. D. Moen, Mound City, Mo. I think the
plan a good one.
J. W. Oakes, Elk City, Kan. I wish to endorse
everything that is democratic. I hope every dem
ocrat will fall In lino and keep up the fight until
1908.
L. P, Baura, Fenturs, Va. Inasmuch as a
great many democrats do not get The Commoner
with the form of the primary pledge in It, It
seems to me, it would be well to send a dozen
blanks to every county and ask democrats to
sign and return tho same.
D. N. Cobbs, Hutton Valley, Mo. I would like
my name enrolled.
Nelson Dudymott, Arvada, Jefferson Co., Calif.
I think the primary pledge Is the thing. I am
a farmer 63 years of age. Have been a democrat
all my life. I fought for Mr. Bryan in 189'6 and
I am still fighting. I do not want any more
goldbug democracy; it b poison. I am a double
standard democrat, 1873 is what started our dowa-fall.
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