The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-02-20
THE Duty OF THE HOUR.

As this is the last number of the
DEMOCRAT that will reach most of our
readers before the primaries, we de-
sire to utter to them last word OF
exhortation. Frankly, then, these
are critical and portentious times foi
political parties. There is n spirit OF
independence and disregard of per
sonal and political leadership among
the people that cannot be mistaken
and should not be ignored in the
councils of parties. The present por-
tends that in the near future the
science of politics and the success Of
parties will consist in ascertaining and
representing the will Of the people,
and not in nursing the hopes and pan
dering to theambition Of professional
politicians.
While the evidence of this revolu-
tion is to be found on every hand
while it is true that the trammels of
party tradition sit lightly on the
shoulders Of the voting masses yet
we cannot believe that the lifetime
adherents Of the grand old Demo-
cratic party are prepared, or are de-
sirous of severing their connection
with that party or permitting its hon
ored naTue and glorious antecedents
to beoAscured by new and untried ex-
periments. II il true that thatinsidu-
ous but dmnoralized foe of the Demo-
cratic partyand Of Republican govern
ment-the Radical party-is eagerly
seizing upon the discomfort of the
people, caused by its own misrule,
extravaganza and corruption, to pre-
vent the restoration of Democracy to
power; and we regret to observe that
few discontented spirits in the Dem
Ocratic ranks are lending themselves
as tools for the fluthemnce of this
nefarious object. Why should they
do thi@ Would it not at least be in
good taste for the members Of the
party to await the action of the State
Convention, and see if as fair, true,
competent and trustworthy men are
not put in nomination, and as liberal
and economical Il platform Of princi-
pies adopted as could be uttered by
any gathering of the people? Why !
anticipate the action Of the Conyen-
ton by stirring up within the party
spirit Of suspicion and unrest which
will only result in final injury to the
people and benefit to the now demor-
allied Radical party Of our State?
We most respectfully and earnestly
urge all Democrats to attend the
primaries and participate in the coun-
ellis ofour grand partyasin times past,
Don't leave these meetings to the
management and manipulation Of a
few politicians who are in the inter
osts of any men or clique, but attend
in your sovereign capacity and might
Of numbers; and il you have any
evils to complain of or measures to
advocate make them known in your
primary capacity, by resolution or
otherwise, and send up delegates
who will carry out your wishes. Az
ter you have done this--after you
have chosen delegates in good faith,
pledged to carry out measures and
principles Of vital interest TO your
selves and the commonwealth at large
you have still one more means of
redress against betrayal Of your
wishes by the conventions Of your
PARTY. The all-potent ballot yet re-
mains in your possession, and by in
yoking its aid you can express in un-
lnistaknbie tones your disapproval of
paSty treaehsry.
AIIrcREIA MENAcTD. Last Monday
senator Kelly presented a petition in