Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-06-22
The Position Of MIR. Stephens.

A short time since the Constitution
found it necessary to talk very plainly
to MIR. Stephens. 1t was rumored-and
the rumors were reiterated-that Mr..
Stephens had determined to ''stand
for Governor in defiance of the Demo-
cratic party. We stated, without minc-
ing words, that unless Mr.. Stephens
squarely and in terms put himself on the
platform of the organized Democ-
racy. we should oppose his nomination
and election with all earnestness and
emphasis. This we should have done,
regardless of the consequences. No
honest Democrat could have done less.
But Mr.. Stephens has declared his
views ON this subject and they are all
that the most exacting partisan could
ask. He rebukes DIR. FELTON, and his
associates by saying that all reforms
should be worked within the party lines,
and thus puts himself squarely against
the men who have left the ranks and
poured their grievances into the ear of
the enemy. He spurns the gratuitous
and foolish nomination of the half
dozen sore-heads who met here last
week by saying that he is before the
Democratic Convention-that if he is
nominated by that Convention he will
be candidate-that if he is not nomi-
mated by that body he will retire and
support its nominee. Nothing could be
palmer or more patriotic than this.
Mr.. Stephens. therefore, goes before the
Democratic primaries" simply and
purely as Democratic candidate. The
supreme test of parry fealty, namely. as
to whether he would bow his head in
acquiescence if the party should select
another standard bearer, has been put
to him, and he has answered it precise
ly and positively. He cannot be blamed
for having the Endorsement of the Coali-
tionists. That is an accident that may
happen to any gentleman. He has GER
tainly not compromised with them. He
denounces their revolt against party al
legiance, by expressing in the strongest
terms his own submission to it. He de-
nounces their coalition with the enemy
by saying that party abuses should be
corrected within the party ranks. Hav-
ing thus antagonized the only two prin-
ciples on which they stand, and putting
himself at the head of the party they are
pledged to destroy, he cannot be blamed
if they still condemn him with their APP
prevail 1t is foolish to say that the Co.
alitionists have "dictated'' the candi-
date of the Democracy. The Democrat
ic primaries will decide who will be
the party candidates. If they select
Mr.. Stephens. it will be Mr.. Stephens
if some one else, then Mr.. Stephens will
be out of the race. Never before has
the party been freer to act without die
tation or embarrassment-fo before the
race has opened every candidate stands
pledged to abide by the decision of the
Convention.
Instead of Completing things. Mr..
Stephens has simplified them. Offered
the nomination of the opposition, he
says in effect: 81 fight only under the
Democratic flag. Regardless of what
has happened I shall run only as the
Democratic candidate. If that party
honors me with its standard, shall
march at the head of its hosts. If it
puts it in other hands, will march in
5he ranks" Under these circumstances
Mr.. Stephens stands before the Demo-
cratic primaries" in precisely the same
attitude as any other candidate
atlanta Constitution.