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OCTOBER 27, 1905
The Commoner.
7
ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS AND THE PRIMARY PLEDGE
In 190.4 there were cast in Illinois 327,600
votes for the democratic nominee for president.
In 18S4 the democratic nominee for president re
ceived 312,351' votes. So, in twenty years, from
1881 to 1904, the democratic vote increased only
15,255. In 1888 the democratic nominee received
318,371, which was 20,7G5 more than the demo-
cratic nominee received in 1904. In 1892 the
democratic nominee received 426,281 votes, which
was 98,675 more than was received hy the demo
cratic nominee in 1904. In 1896 the democratic
nominee received 464,632, which was 137,026 more
than was received by the democratic nominee in,
1904. In 1900 the democratic nominee received
503,061, which was 175,455 more than was re
ceived by the democratic nominee in 1904.
This does not necessarily mean that demo
cratic principles have become unpopular in Illi
nois. Men are now quite familiar with conditions
that controlled during the presidential campaign
of 1904 and the demonstrations in Illinois, as in
other states, since the latest presidential election
show that the people are ready to return to the
democratic party whenever the democratic party
returns to democratic principles and frames its
platform and nominates its candidates accord
ingly. There is, than Illinois, no better field for work
by earnest democrats. It is a good sign, so far
as Illinois is concerned, that that state stands
third in the number of primary pledges returned
to The Commoner office. The democrats of Illi
nois have done great work along the lines of the
primary pledge plan of organization. There are,
however, many Illinois democrats who have not,
so far, co-operated, and the interest of these may
be aroused if those democrats who have already
assisted will renew their activities and bend their
energies toward the enrollment in the primary
pledge list of every Illinois democrat who believes
that his party will win success by deserving it.
The same appeal which The Commoner has
made to the democrats of Missouri, of Ohio and
of West Virginia It now makes to the democrats
of Illinois. Every Illinois reader of The Com
moner is requested to ask every Illinois demo
crat of his acquaintance to sign the primary
pledge and call upon his own neighbor to do like
wise. If a number of democrats of every Illinois
county would organize for the, purpose of cir
culating the primary pledge form in every pre
cinct, obtaining the signature or every democrat
who is willing to discharge his duty to his party,
the field would be covered in a snort time, and
the results would count. Illinois democrats are
reminded that this work of organization is not
to terminate with the signing of the pledge. The
interest of democrats once aroused is to be main
tained, clubs are to be organized in every county
of the state and in every precinct of the county,
these clubs having for their purpose the pro
mulgation of democratic principles and the pro
tection of the democratic creed from those who
would destroy it.
Many thousands of Illinois democrats have
co-operated with The Commoner along the lines
of the primary pledge plan. If .these democrats
will but renew their activities they will place The
Commoner under great obligations to them, and
what is, of course, more important, they will have
rendered distinguished service to their country
because of their earnest efforts to make their
party a yaluable .agent in the perpetuation of
popular government.
As this dopy of The Commoner may be read
by some one not familiar wth the details of the
primary pledge plan, it is necessary to say that,
according to the terms of this plan every demo
crat is asked to pledge "himself to attend all of
the primaries of nis party to be held between
now and the next democratic national convention,
unless unavoidably prevented, and to secure a
clear, honest and straight-forward declaration of
the party's position on pvery question upon which
the voters of the party desire to speak. Those
desiring to bo enrolled can either write to The
Commoner approving the object of the organiza
tion and asking to have their names entered on
the roll, or they can fill out and mail the blank
pledge, which is printed on this page.
enclosed fifteen signatures to the primary pledge.
G. W. Weose, Upper Glade, W. Va. Enclosed
find primary pledge with thirty-nine names signed
by Jeffersonian democrats. Success to The Com
moner and the pledge plan.
W. G. Maggard, Ilisevillo, Ky. I send you a
list of 90 signatures to the primary pledge. Suc
cess to The Commoner and the cause It repre
sents. C. S. Essex, Pueblo, Colo. 1 encloso horewith
eight signatures to the pledge.
Caleb Smith, Pleasant Illdge, Ky. Find en
closed $1.00 for renewal of subscription to Tho
Commoner, and my primary pledge signed. Mr. '
Bryan Is doing a good work for a noble cause
in promoting the primary pledge organization.
Long live The Commoner.
Wilbur Y. Smith, Llnevillc, Ala. 1 herewith
enclose 35 names of voters who signed Mr.
Bryan's primary pledge. When 1 can tie of ser
vice to you, I am at your command.
F. A. Phelps, Nicklow, W. Va. Enclosed
please find my primary pledge accompanied with
55 democrats. I live in a rural district and
find compensation in trying to build up the
grand old party upon Jeffersonian principles.
Israel Wolfe, Arbuckle, W. Va. Enclosed
find primary pledge signed by ten.
Willie White, Canterbury, W. Va. Enclosed
please find thirty-five signatures to the primary
pledge. ' ,
Thomas Malony, Spokane, Wash. I encloso
herewith twenty-fivo signatures to the pledge.
A. W. Bass, Lakeview, Mich. Find herewith
the primary pledge signed by nme good demo
crats. O. McDonough, Rockwell, la. Enclosed you
will find circular bearing twenty names of stand
ing democrats, most of whom are Irish and
ever loyal to their belief. It is with great
pleasure that I assist you In obtaining pledges.
M. A. Neff, Cincinnati, Ohio Please place
my name on your list of Bryan democrats. I
cast my first democratic vote for you in 1896.
Never attended a democratic convention as a
delegate until this year. Have missed no pri-,
maries and don't intend to. I have attended all
the national conventions since 1896, but not as
a delegate. If I live will work to secure a dele
gate that will not be led by those who controlled
the St. Louis convention.
A. P. Gibson, Harvey, W. V., Enclosed find
list of signatures to the primary pledge.
James M. McComas, Ranger, W. Va. I en
close primary pledge petition. I have been a
little slow getting' it filled out owing to not
being able to circulate about much, as I am
seventy-two years old and not able to get about
very much. But I send you the names of thirty
six genuine democrats. As old as I am when I
think of doing something to the advancement of
democracy I feel like a boy. I enlisted in the
cause of democracy and voted the democratic
ticket from the time 1 was twenty-one years old.
I am a radical free silver democrat, being of the
opinion that had it not been for the recent gold
discovery our treasury would have been drained
of every cent it contained.
G. S. Bird, Wellford, W. Va. I sent my own
Extracts from letters received at The Com
moner office follow:
M. B. 'Barker, Lane, Kans Enclosed find
six signatures to the primary pledge.
H. N. Morris, Washington, Towa Find en
closed four signatures to the primary pledge.
Gilbert Barbeo, Joplin, Mo. I herewith send
110 signatures to tho primary pledge.
B. M. Nye, Santa Rosa, Calif. Please find
primary pledge in early last spring. I send I ho
names of 20 more truo and tried donior-rats whom
party lashes can not drlvo anywhere. They have
become dlKgimtod with grariing and party
bosses.
W. O. Black, Casswoll, Mo. ISnclosod find
primary pledge with 35 namos. Wish I hud time
to get a hundred. Best wishes to The Commoner
and William J. Bryan,
Alva E. Gray, Edgcrton, Wis. I Hocurod
theso two names In a hurry. Hopo thoy will do
some good. I hope to socuro mora lator.
Tt L. Stamper, Denton, Ky. I think thin
plan of organization is good. Wo need something
to keep our people in line. So far as I have gone
with, this pledge every man has signed.
P. H. Brumficld, Duulelth, W. Va. HncloBOd
you will find my primary pledge. This has been
my yfc long work, and meets with my Hlnaoro
approval. I would suggest that all of the demo
crats of our county, both young and old, bo awak
ened to a sonso of their duty, and bo Induced to
attend primary meetings and conventions, ho
that tho principles of democracy will bo 'ully
understood and Impressed upon their minds. My
father used to take me to conventions wliou I
was but a boy, and the impression thus formed
has enabled me to resist all the intiuenccs to
waver or do anything else but be n si might demo
crat all my life. Yours for the good of our
country.
Joshua S. Moore, Roundpeak, N. C. Pleaac
find my name at the head of seventy-five names
signed to tho enclosed primary pledge. I am
seventy-four years old; have always voted tho
democratic ticket. These signers are staunch
democrats, and may be depended upon. I will
try to get some more signers later on.
P. C. Callaway, El Dorado Spring, Mo I
send you herewith the primary pledge I believe
Tho Commoner has fallen upon the right plan.
Every democrat, whether he signs and forwards
his pledge or no, should resolve to attend his
own primary, and use his infiuci.ce for the tri
umph of democratic principles or government.
The Commoner is indeed doing a grout and raudi
needed work. In tho teaching or right prlncl
pies of government, In tho placing before the
minds of its readers high and lofly ideals of man
hood, and in its unmerciful attack? against graft
and corruption in high office, It Is doing a re
formative work that at this present tl.ae Js much
needed. I have read almost every Issue of The
Commoner since It began Its career, and I havo
come to regard it as a household necessity. If
tho masses of the people could be induced to read
and meditate upon the truths found in its every
issue, and with honesty to themselves, would lay
aside their political prejudices, this country would
give a sweeping victory to democracy in 1J08.
But the most dlfilcult thing for a reformer is,
not always to convince, but to convict. Never
theless, the only thing to do Is to keep hammer
ing away. May The Commoner live to so its
doctrines and reforms take hold of 'he people.
May the masses learn to see their best interests
and in spite of their political 'ilMlo Lions, may
thoy develope courage to vote their interests at
the polls.
THE PRIMARY PLEDGE
P
I promise to attend all the primaries of my party to be held between now and
the" next Democratic National Convention, unless unavoidably prevented,' and to use
mylnflucncotOBccurea clear, honest and straightforward declaration of the party's
position on every question upon which the yoters'of the party desire to speak.
..
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V
" Signed.
Strce.t.
Postoffice.
State.
County r
Voting precinct ,or ward.
8r Fill out Blanksand mail to Commoner Office, Lincoln, Nebraska.