The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-10-02
Democratic Duty.

'ork. The duty of democrats in
osely- contested state is to study the =
latforms of the party-state and ma I
onal-and then to do the utmost in
their teachings. 1t is
of course. that the platforms
lust be based upon principles re-
ognIzed as purely democratic, and
UGH being recognized the conscien-
ious partisan must take his party's
creed as gospel, and go
1t where he may. 1t is not
that democratic platforms
ire always immaculate; if they do
otherwise than adhere to the true faith
hey may be properly spurned. For
Instance, the democratic platform of
Texas, some years ago, was placed in
4 leaning position towards greenback-
ism; this was contrary to the true
faith, and many democrats
openly denounced the departure as a
brand upon true democracy. In this
they were right; for the result was,
that at the next convention the schis-
matte influences were repudiated and |
the party purified of any evil intent.
Some of the most trusted democrats, |
too eager after office, went away at
that time after false doctrines, and
there is not one of them to-day but
should blush to think of the peril in
which for personal ambition the par
ty was placed. A class of so.called
democrats laugh at what is termed
mossbackism; and yet mossbackism is
preferable to ENGRAVING upon the party
things truly undemocratic. True
democracy is really a sort of moss
back institution. 1t was founded by
jefferson and rehabilitated in its
glory by Jackson; and the democracy
Of Jefferson and of Jackson is the
genuine democracy, whether it be in
1924 or 1884. We will not say, as
Wash Jones says, ''a man is a fooP'
who talks about new democracy; he
is more properly knaye, who pretends
to be and is not democrat. There
is not, and cannot be, a new democra-
cy. The party is built upon princi-
pies that were given life in free
America, and which will have life as
long as freedom lasts in this Union.
1t is old, and should be respected for
its age. The plank in the platform of
to-day that does not harmonic with
the doctrines of 1924 is
vicious, and it should be
torn out and cast away. 1t belongs
to new democracy that tends to
weaken instead of strengthen the
great party of freedom. BY alien pol
icies, injected into platforms, democ-
racy lost its power, and through vac
cillating purposes it has failed to win
when it should have been gloriously
triumphant. It should have won a
glorious victory in 1880, but the presi
Dental nominee rejected a cardinal
principle, and down democracy was
tumbled almost into the pit of des-
pair. When~platforms are right they
should be upheld; when they are
wrong there is no chance for them tc
stand. The platforms this time
are good; they keep in view
as a guiding star the
honored instruments of the long ago
and hope brlghtens at every stage
Democracy, that was founded on great
governmental truths, lives in 1884 as
it did In 1924. That bright, particu,
lar guiding star shines beautifully to
all, and the grand army fills every day
by phalanxes. 1t marches On with
out waver, and the prediction is
made that in November great fed.
eral victory will be won. No mis-
takes are being made. Duty guides
the acts of the leaders and of the men.
Countenances, under the anticipation
of glorious achievements, shine with
a fervor and confidence not seen for
many long years. Led by a true
faith, every one is ready for
duty, and the fight is almost
won in advance. The struggle
throughout the Union presents beau
tiful spectacle; it is one for the mas
terry, the people against the power of
money and corruption; one looking to
democracy for leadership, the other to
republicanism. In Texas the contest
is different. The platform is very
good, generally keeping in view the
principles that should ensure popular
government, but the contest is I'M
equal. The huge majorities make the
canvass fiat, and yet every candidate
for Office should personally put him.
self on record before the people.
Democratic nominees are accepted as
subscribing to the platforms, but they
should personally give assurances to
the people as to their specific purposes
in the administration of government.
Such assurances, in fact, are de-
manded.
AS the canvass progresses obstacles