WMMMipfltertmmffp
.m ,. , nipjmmtmm
sWifvr'
8
The Commoner.
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 10
THESE MEN WANT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
MtatoMfcWMtftifcpMMhri
' Every democrat is asked to pledge
himself to attend all of the primaries
of his party to be held between now
and tho next democratic national con
vention, unless unavoidably prevent
ed and to use his influence to secure
a clear, honest and straight-forward
declaration of the party's position on
every question upon which the votei'3
of tho party desire to speak. Those
desiring to bo enrolled can either
write to The Commoner approving
tho object of the organization and
asking to have their names entered
on tho roll, or they can fill out and
mail, tho blank pledge which is print
ed on page 14 of this issue.
It will require timo to cover the
entire field, but if democrats co-operate
tho desired result will bo accom
plished. Send to Tho Commoner your own
primary pledge and then ask your
noighbor to do likewise.
Bird S. Color, at one timo demo
cratic nominee for governor of New
York, writing under date of May 8,
says: "I most heartily endorse your
position on this subject and in the
future, as in tho past, shall do all I
can to havo every citizen attend the
primaries. It is only through intelli
gent action at the primaries that the
people may hope to control the gov-
eminent."
A Toledo, Ohio, democrat suggests
that the wives, sisters and sweet
hearts of democrats be asked to lend
a hand in tho circulation of the pri
mary pledge. Ho says that the women
have a deep interest in this work,
and that if they were asked to co
opeYate they would gladly do so. This
is an excellent suggestion. Who will
bo tho first to respond to tho cordial
invitation here issued to tho mothers,
tho wives, tho sisters and tho sweet;
hearts of democrats everywhere"?'' '
Havo you noticed,, ajnoifg the letters
reproducedJa..-rThe Commoner, the
. largejwmber that have been written
by aged men? These men have profit
ted by experience, and it is well that
tho rising generations be given the
opportunity to read their words of advice.
Havo you noticed also that young
men, some of them mere lads, have
shown their great interest in the pri
mary pledge plan? The Commoner
has reproduced several letters from
hoys of eighteen years who have cir
culated primary pledges, and havo
declared their purpose to help fur
ther the good work. This is a
good sign and it must be remembered
that the eighteen-year-old boy of to
day will be a voter in 19C8. If as a
lad he shows a keen interest in the
politics of his country it is not likely
that his interest will decrease when
ho reaches his majority.
An interesting letter is written by
John H. Tietzo of La Crosse, Wis
consin. Enclosing his primary pledge
young Tietze says: "Though still a
minor, I take this timely opportunity
of joining and pledging myself to the
true, Jofforsonian democracy and to
attend all tho democratic meetings so
far as possible, because I shall have
a ballot to cast at the next presiden
tial election. Though a minor may not
bo able to vole at all of the political
meetings, yet ho thus becomes politi
cally, anu m tms case, morally, edu
cated so that when he goes to the
polls ho will know something of what
he is voting for or against and how to
vote. Beginning at the age of 18 or 19
ho can learn very much about the
principles advocated and the needs of
, and tho wrongs in, our institutions.
The signing of the pledge will serve
as a constant reminder to him who
signs it. I bolieve that this is an
excellent chance for the older minors
and for tho party to secure the votes
of tho young voters in 1908. It will
bo 'education for the young,' some
thing that the most of the constituency
of the G. O. P. do not receive from
their leaders and why not? I feel
convinced that the true Jeffersonian
democracy correlates perfectly with
Christianity. To use Burke's words,
'Whatever Is morally wrong can never
bo politically right.' "
Another young man, L. Grover
Bishop of Portland, Ind., writes as
follows: "I am a young man twenty
years of age, but will be able to cast
a straight vote for Kansas City democ
racy next year. It gives me great
pleasure to put my name on record
at your office as one who promises
to keep the faith and in the great bat
tles of the future to be found always
on tho side of popular government."
Another lad in his teens, Banks P.
Turner, of Newbern, Tenn., says that
while ho is but a boy he is "as sin
cere as anyone," and adds: "When we
see accounts of capital enjoying its
$5,000 banquets and labor living from
the swill barrels of hotels, we readily
see that something is wrong. So
cialists say by adopting, or rather
abolishing the wage system we can
overcome this. Perhaps we could but
I am democrat enough to believe if
wo should adopt the principles of
Jefferson we could prevent it. It is
such a complex affair that it seem
that the capitalists have forgotten
that this is a government of, by and
for the people, but Instead is a gov
ernment of, by and for the capitalists.
The social conditions existing in the
United States are unbearable to a
liberty loving people. The Teutons
left us the characteristic, but-it SCem
as if this is. no longer a trait of the
rnR!!hilnn nnrfr Wo irnvo tttUV, o
mixture of horror and terror upon the
scenes being enacted in Russia, but
unless the control of our government
Is placed in more reliable and demo
cratic hands, perhaps in the future,
near or distant, the United tSates
may experience the same thing. To
prevent this requires the due and
strict administration of laws; the sen
ate or 'trust harbor' being dredged,
and lastly the common people voting
at every election. I believe by do
ing this we may be tided over the
shoals of capitalism. I heartily en
dorse the steps taken by you to do
this. If every man can be made to
realize his duty to his home, to his
state and to the nation there will be
no republican victory in 1908."
Extracts from other letters, every
one enclosing primary pledges, fol
low: George P. Sights, North Bend, Neb.
Believing that any legislation that
will benefit the common people must
come from the democratic mrtv 7
cladly sign the enclosed tiled cr ami
uiu uoa speed for your efforts for tho
people.
R. E. Bowles, merchant, Creston, 111.
Please send mo copies of the pri
mary pledge.
J. C. MIthen, Wichita, Kans. I
hope in 1908 tho reputfftcan wing or
the democratic party will not control
as they did in the last campaign. For
the advancement of the old line dem
ocratic party and as the surest means
of success the plutocratic contingent
should be shoved into the republican
party and branded with that party's
brand. That will add real strength
to the democratic party and add to
our chances of success. Here's hoping
success to true democracy, tho cause
and hope of the common people.
James Allen, Fontana, Kans. I have
taken your paper from its first issue
wu. expect to take it as long as
ker, but it was under protest, qnd
when I read his Jefferson day speech
I felt like kicking myself. I wonder
if he-would like to run on the same
ticket again. Put my name on your
roll as a fighting democrat.
J. M. Lowry, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Enclosed find my pledge. Wo must
liberate the white slaves of the coun
try the common people. I am the
first from this place to send in pledge.
I look for Tho Commoner every Sat
urday for my Sunday reading. Yours
for democratic success.
J. L. Brock, Ludlow, Mo. Will send
a few names of democrats of this vi
cinity who are willing to take and
stand by the primary pledge or any
thing Mr. Bryan thinks will be bene
ficial to the democratic party and the
principles declared by Jefferson and
Jackson and promulgated by Bryan.
J. S. Pinckley, Denton, Texas. I
heartily endorse your plan. If all
so-called democrats would stand
bravely by you, as I aim to do, the
party will win. I believe in the de
mocray of Jefferson, Jackson and
Bryan, but I supported Parker in the
last election because he was the dem
ocratic nominee.
G. S. Allen, Ashland City, Tenn.
Enclosed find primary pledge with
twenty-five signatures. Many more
can be got by going out in the coun
try. The farmers very readily sign
it.
A. D. Miller, Jr., Parker, Idaho.
Enclosed find signed primary pledge.
A. F. McCue, Minatare, Neb. En
closed find primary pledge. I wish'
to unfurl my banner to the breeze of
true democracy.
B. M. Nye, Santa Rosa, Calif. Ybii
,are certainly entitled to the deep grat
itude of tLt democratic party if for
nothing else than this noble mission
ary work for honest organization along
the lines of the primary pledge. Non
attendance at and non-interest in pri
maries has been perhaps more than
anything else the cause of defections
and defeats in the democratic party
at national elections. Shall forward
more pledges in the near future.
J. H. Mobley, lone, Ore. Signed
and enclosed my pledge I send, to
ranic and file I'm one; and perhaps
the first to enroll their name from
lone, Ore.. Ere long others will fol
low on before it is too late, and join
with true democracy for 1908.
N. F. Watts, County Commissioner,
Grand View, Tex. I have signed the
primary pledge and hope to live to
see the Kansas City platform endorsed
by the people.
Andrew Anderson, West Milton,
Pa. I believe in the principles you
advocate. I will be found on the right
side when election day comes around.
I sign the primary nledero nnri ah
every democrat would do likewise and
keep it.
J. E. Dupree, Ivanhoe, Texas. En
closed find primary pledge. I am an
old man, a confederate veteran, much
older than Mr. Bryan. I have always
attended the primaries of my party
and while this step is not necessary
to bind my own acts, yet I freely sign
the pledge in order to influence oth
ers and to show which side I am on in
the great battle between democracy
and plutocracy. In devising this ex
cellent and unique plan Mr. Bryan
will receive the thanks of all true
democrats. I am especially gratified
that this plan is endorsed by such
real democrats as Tom L. Johnson,
Joseph W. Folk and Champ Clark.
Now we want to hear from Senator
Teller and all other such leaders tried
and true, who, however old they mav
be, are yet on account of their hard
services sun "boys in the trenches.'
can rata, tho do.la, I voted lor P'rS'SS volvmtar ', S
tho masses are fully heard from, yea
from all "the boys at the forks of the
creek!" Your friend and agent.
Dug Hinton, .Marshall, Mo. Here's
my primary pledge.
C. J. Fitzsimmons, Marshall, Mo.--I
am glad to express my willingness
to sign the primary pledge. I believe
it a good move.
T. E. Wooldridge, Greentown, Ind.
I endorse the plan. If all democrats
would attend conventions and prima
ries and select honest men for higher
conventions, I believe we could get
a platform that genuine democrats
could support. The democratic party
must stand for something positive if
it would win the support of the rank
and file. I always attend primariv in
our county. In 1904 we had a con
vention where there were fifteen men,
most of whom had voted .for McKinley
in 1896 and in 1900. They had come
into the convention and tried to se
lect Parker delegates for the conven
tion at Indianapolis, but we had about
four hundred democrats who had al
ways been loyal, and we sent fourteen
delegates to the state convention who
were true to the Kansas City platform.
When they got to Indianapolis they
were denied seats in the convention.
As a result of that outrage Howard
county last fall gave Roosevelt 3,000.
I have been committeeman for ten
years, until last fall. I refused to
vote for Parker and I am proud of it.
Yours for democracy such as was
demonstrated at Chicago.
E. D. Curtis, Albion. Enclosed I
hand you my pledge and that of S.
C. Bodine. I believe in the principles
you advocate.
Wm. .Eller, Mexico, ;Vfo. Enclbsed
find list of names 'from our school
district heartily endorsing your pri
mary pledge plan. "We shall use every
means, possible to strengthen the
party from now until 1908. May God
bless you in the good work you are
doing. ,
L. F. Wills, Loon Lake, Wash. Find
primary pledge signed cheerfully. I
am fully in accord with the democracy
of The Commoner, and take pleasure
in joining the forces of faithful demo
crats who are sending in their pledges.
I believe that government can in no
way be brought as near to the people
as it can through the primaries. Poli
tics needs purifying from ' township
to state and nation. I hope every
democrat in the United States will
sign this pledge and faithfully work
to the end that boss and machine
rule may be rebuked
R. L. Edwards, Dexter, Ore. I am
with you in this movement. I voted
for Parker but was sorry when I read
his Jefferson day speech that he had
come out for Wall Street. I do not
see. how any. one can stand for Wall
Street principles and at the same time
espouse the cause of the common peo
ple. I keenly realize that the fight
is on to control the next democratic
convention. I believe your efforts are
righteous and that you will stand for
right principles.
J. M. Holliday, Sixteen, Mont. Em
closed find additional pledges. This
makes all but one of the democrats of
this precinct. It is certainly encourag
ing to see the host pledge for a con
test that will bring joy to all good
democrats and lovers of their country.
R. L. Morgan, Lawyer, Bloomington,
Ind. I am glad to have the oppor
tunity of giving my time in getting
signatures to this pledge. I find no
trouble in getting democrats to sign
it. Please mail me fifteen or twenty
more blank primary pledge's. I de
sire the blanks which have room for
several names and addresses. .
Wm. ;E. Berry, Stillwater, Okla.
I am in sympathy with., this demo-
rrrf--
