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The Commoner,
TONE 1G, 1005
DEMOCRATIC EDITORS KEEP "PEGGING AWAY"
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A fine sample of what may be accomplished
by organization of the rank and file comes from
Lancaster County, Pa. W. R. Knox of Intercourse,
Pa., sends a newspaper clipping showing the
manner in which the democrats in Lancaster
county went to the support of Edward Reilly, a
faithful public official who was denounced by
the representatives pf powerful interests because
lie stood for an honest accounting to the people
on the part of public officials. Mr. Reilly was
renominated in a democratic convention conspicu
ous because, of the large number of democrats
present. Mr. Knox says "heretofore about 20 per
cent of the voters 'ran things but at the late
primary more than 90 per cent of the voters were
present and they were particular as to the kind
of delegates sent to the county convention."
Democratic newspapers are working very
earnestly in behalf of the primary pledge plan.
It is true some editors are at times discouraged.
One writes as follows: "We made extended no
tice of primary pledge in our issue of three weeks
ago. From it we have receLvod but one lone re
ply, which we enclose with this. "We will run
the pledge at intervals in the future, although
we have received so little encouragement as yet.
Party leaders seem to think well of it, but go no
farther." No one need be discouraged because
responses are not prompt and numerous in the
beginning. This particular editor and other edi
tors should keep "pegging away." There are
many signs of a general awakening among demo
crats. For a time the work may be slow in some
localities, but sooner or "later men who strive
for the organization of the rank and file will be
rewarded by success.
The Magnet, published at New Waterford, O.,
and edited byW. T. Cutshall, says: "William J.
Bryan's primary pledge plan for the purpose of
more permanently cementing , the democratic
party is meeting with universal favor through
out the country and many leading democratic
organs are falling in line by not only keeping
the pledge standing in their respective journals,
but calling especial attention of their readers
to the same. The plan is a good one and is al
ready giving evidence of its adoption and growth
by democrats in every section of the country.
The Farmington (Mo.) Times and Herald,
edited by Theo. D. Fisher, reproduces the primary
pledge, and concerning the plan says: "This is
getting right back to the people. They are asked
to speak out in primary meetingd, giving their
views and positions on all vital questions, and
logically to elect delegates to the various party
conventions who will there honestly represent
and carry out their expressions. This accom
plished, our congressional, state and national con
tentions would in their declaration of principles
represent the views of the people and not the
policies and notions of expediency of the politi
cians. The people would have confidence in a
platform thus builded, for it would represent their
ideas as no platform shaped along lines of alleged
expediency could or would, and would draw all
elements of the party to it or send thenl where
they belong to the opposition. The plan is based
riot only on the theory that it is the duty of every
citizen to take an active part in public affairs
in the interest of good government economically
and justly administered, but that the people are
to be trusted and that they are the platform
makers or breakers. Every democrat should be
ready and willing to sign the pledge. Already
hundreds from all parts of the country have done
so, and each week The Commoner gives terse
extracts from many who approve of and are help
ing on this novel primary pledge plan. Reader,
if you are a democrat, sign that; pledge and send
it to The Commoner."
The Monroe Watchman, published at Union,
W. Va., and edited by A. S. Johnston copies the
Denver News editorial entitled "The Democratic
-, Road" and- gives its endorsement to the primary
pledge plan. Editor Johnston says he will do
all in his power to carry on this good work.
purpose strict adhesion to fixed policies calcul
ated to deal Impartially with all mankind. Second
to constantly battle for preservation of govern
ment of, by and for the people. Third, the eslab-"
lishment of a more thorough organization founded
upon the democratic policy of keeping the govern
ment as, close as possible to the peoplo from
Tvhence.it should come, that the weak shall enjoy
the samo privileges as the strong In shaping
the' policies by which they shall be governed.
Briefly summed up this is democracy's mission
and only, by faithful obedience thereto can It hoJ)o
to achieve a victory that will bo grand and lasting.
With tho single desire that the democratic party
shall be quickly elevated to that exalted plane of
dominance for that which is good and most need
ed in government Tho Commoner has, for some
time pursued a vigorous campaign of organization
that bids fair to place the democratic party In
absolute' control by the masses from whence It
can only deriye power as was demonstrated by
the election last fall. Mr. Bryan's primary pledge
plan is a short cut to that goal much coveted by
all loyal domocrats and It is meeting with merited
success. Pledges by tho thousands arc pouring
Into The Commoner offico from every nook and
corner of the United States who promise over
their signature to attend all the primaries of
their party to bo held between now and the next
democratic convention unless unavoidably pre
vented, and to use their Influence to secure a
clear, honest and straightforward declaration of
the party's position on every question upon which
the voters of the party desire to speak. Demo
crats of Fremont county should send to The Com
moner with the least possible delay their pledges
to attend primaries and help accomplish this
work of organization so well begun."
In a letter to The Commoner', Editor Bedford
says: "I am convinced your plan Is a winner, if
tho party voters will accept it as their interests
demand. Democracy's success depends on more
thorough organization and the adherence to vital
issues until they are correctly settled. I wish
you success in your campaign for right and jus
tice to all classes."
The Arizona Bulletin, published at Solomon
ville, Arizona, and edited by F. H. Fowler, en
dorses the plan and says: "This plan recognizes
tho right of the democratic voters, tho rank and
file, to shape and control the policy of the demo
cratic party, and should appeal to all who be
lieve in the rule of tho people and that the ma
jority should govern in party and national affairs.
It means that the democratic platform shall hon
estly voice the prevailing sentiment of the people
of the party and that the confidence of the people
will not be betrayed at the national convention.
The citadel of democracy is at the precinct pri
mary; there the people speak for themselves, but
from that point to the great national convention
the people speak only through delegates. That
the primaries be well attended and delegates
elected who represent the prevailing sentiment
of the voters is of first and paramount import
ance. -Only at the primaries can the will of the
people bo ascertained, and unless the voters at
tend such primaries faithfully their wishes will
be thwarted in county, state and national con
ventions. The Bulletin is in favor of beginning
the work of organization for the next campaign
now, and agrees thoroughly with Mr. Bryan's
plan. Never before was it so clearly demon
strated that the rank and file of the democratic
voters should control the party than in the late
presidential campaign. Tho men who furnish the
votes on election day must be heard all along
the line, from precinct primary to national convention."
In a letter addressed to The Commoner, Edi
tor Fowler says: "Allow me to say that per
sonally I am, heartily in favor of Mr. Bryan's plan,
and shall do all in my power to further same. The
course Mr. Bryan is pursuing is pleasing to the
rank and file of democracy everywhere, and also
commands the respect of those of different politi
cal faith."
endorses the plan, and says: "Thoso who do not
havo the pleasure of perusing the columns of
Mr. Bryan's paper, The Commoner, cannot under
stand the groat work ho is doing, and what ho
may accomplish In tho futuro la boyond the power
of any man to accurately foretell." x
The Advocate then outlines the primary
pledge plan, ami says: "This scorns a very
simple plan of organization, but It Is surprising to
sec the number who'nro entering Into tho move
ment, and the letters sent to Mr. Bryan each
week, from prominent people In nearly every
state, approving his course and offering assist
ance. The list continues large each week and
It is shown that Mr. Bryan -made no mistake
when he selected tho newspaper as tho medium
through which to keep In touch with the people.
By the time the next national convention Is held,
Bryan will have an army of workers In the field,
all striving to the samo end, they will be active
and aggressive and their Influence will he felt
in evory delegation at the convention."
The Oklahoma Enterprise, published at Mu
tual, Okla., presents the primary pledge plan to Its
readers and urgos them to get In line.
The Fulton, -Mo., Telegraph reproduces the
primary plodgo and says: "The Telegraph will io
its part in aiding every movement that has for Its
object the ascertainment of tho will of the peoplo
and the scrupulous enforcement of that will. This
paper will also furnish all the Information that it
can upon tho questions which are before the pub
lic to the end that its readers may bj prepared
to render the maximum of assistance to every
worthy cause. At the top of this column is a
pledge propared by Mr. Bryan, in simple and
straight-forward wording. Neither democrat nor
republican need hesitate to take that kind ot
pledge It means much In politics. If It was gen
erally observed by the members of both parties
there will bo less to complain of. In Mr Bryan's
scheme, it merely recognizes the right of tho dem
ocratic voters to control the policy of their party,
and to determine its position upon public ques
tions. In its broader sense it alms at honesty
and sincerity In politics,; and certainly the demo
cratic party must stand for such honest sincerity
if it hopes to appeal successfully to tho country.
It is a proposition that should appeal to all who
believe in the rule of tho people to all who are
willing that the majority shall govorn In party
management and In the nation and certainly no
real democrat or real republican can oppose the
principle of rule of the majority. The Telegraph
will be pleased to publish letters from the voters
of Callaway county and elsewhere upon this question."
The Thurman (Iowa) Mirror, edited by H.
J. Bedford, say's: "Democracy's hope for ulti
mate success rests first of all upon stability of
The- People's Advocate, published at Malad,
Oneida County, Idaho, and edited by W. H. Peck,
The Columbia, Mo., Herald, edited by Walter
Williams, says: "A century and a quarter after
the American people fought for and obtained the
right to govern themselves It seems somewhat
odd to hear this right questioned. Yet this Is
the state of affairs at the present time. The right
of self-government Is laughed at in certain quar
ters. It is denied in others. The principles of the
Declaration of Independence havo just been de
clared by a distinguished citizen of Massachusetts
to be obsolete.
"Tho democratic party should assert the right
of popular self-government. In a republic this is
the right preservative of all rights. If the people
lose to monopoly or corruption or trust or oli
garchy this right then tho real republic dies what
ever forms remain. Here is the strength of the
democratic party. In a failure to realize and act
upon it is weakness.
"The platform of the democratic party is In
the making. It will be written by tho people or
by certain well-defined, smooth-spoken gentlemen
holding briefs for Special interests. We confess
to a belief in the right of the people to govern
themselves and as corollary to this belief In the
right of the members of a political party, the
rank and file, to write their own platform.
"When this or that danger to the perpetuity
of republican institutions is pointed out it is well
to remember that a denial of the right of the peo
ple to govern themselves or an attempt to defeat
the exercise of this right is the worst of dangers."
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