Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-05-02

WatertOWn Democracy.
MAY 2, 1877.

and rambling dissertation on city pol
Isics which calls for reply more on
account of what it fails to state than
for anything it does say. Our friend
evidently felt he was treadiug upon
ticklish ground, and was troubled to
find the fence which divides the Dem
ocratic and Union League parties, that
he might straddle the same and so ride
successfully through between the two.
With something of flourish he tells
us that he is mot Lacquer" which
is technically true, for it is not claimed
that he is member of >"the order"
What we maintain is that he does the
bidding of that organization, and sup
ports its candidates with all the sub
serviency that any of its menials per-
forms its work, and to that extent is as
faithful tool as if be had been regu-
larly admitted to membership. He
concede that the Democratic caucusses
this Spring were manipulated by the
League, but claims that "many anti
leaguers were favored with nomina.
tion." This is true as far as it goes
but the statement would have been
fairer if it had embraced the fact that
the anti-leaguers thus favored were for
the unimportaut Offices. The League
was careful to nominate none but its
own men for Aldermen, choosing to
have only its faithful allies in positions
where is vested the power to legisate.
The policy of nominating anti.league
men for the other offices was purposely
adopted to silence opposition to the
League and render more certain the
election of its own men. How we'll
it was carried out need not be men
toned. A League hook baited with
nomination for Justice of the Peace or
School Commissioner, or even CoHsta.
bic was too tempting for the average
hungry Democrat, and he swallowed
It without murmur, taking with it
he whole ticket, League nominations
and all. And the editor ofsthe Demo-
~ot was as easily caught as any one
else. He endorsed all the nominees
a faithful, unwavering Democrats, and
urged their claims against all oppo-
sition, his zeal even leading him to exult
after the election over the defeat of
VIM. 81. Rohr, Philip Quentmeyer,
Edward johnson and Christian MAYER
Democrats all-because, although
vastly better men than their competitors,
they were not the regular nominees of
the party. We mention this as show
ing. firstly the shrewdness of the
League in catering for anti-league sup
port, and, secondly, the eagerness with
which, for the sake Of spoils, the anti
league Democrats accepted the tempt
ing bait which was offered them. 1t
shows the Generalization which exists
In the Democratic party so far as its
former anti-league tendencies and prin-
eiples are concerned, and proves con-
elusively that the League has obtained
full control and management of the
organization.
So long as the anti-league Demo-
Gratis show the servility they practiced
this spring, and their willingness to let
the League direct affairs, we apprehend
the latter will care little for such full
limitations as the following, which,
however bravely it may sound, has
really no significance whatever:
TIE League and its doctrines must stand
or fall on their own merits without lacking
themselves onto, or making the Democratic
organization responsible for them.
So long as the League is permitted
to control the Democratic conventions.
and the .Watertown Democrat will
shout Justify for their candidates. and
the rank and file of the party will vote
For and elect them, the League NAV
we'll take little heed of such bravado
ALI the League wants is votes, and in
exchange 1t is perfectly willing to let
the party furnishing them protest to
any extent it desires. It is the votes
which count, while talk is cheap and
passes for naught.
Equally nonsensical In the light Of
events as they have transpired is the
following:
Al