The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-11-21
DEMOCRATS AND DEMOCRACY.

Since the election we have heard
good deal about local Democrats an
the local Democracy. Men who neve
before indicated a respect for Demo
cratic doctrines are now declarin
themselves lifelong Democrats, an
processing the greatest interest in tn
PRONUNCIATION of those principles Q
government All this is very amusing
and none the less ridiculous. It demon
strates the insincerity of a good NAM
men, and shows how shallow are tn,
roots of political principles in the heart.
of certain people.
We also hear not little of Democratic
parties and Democratic organizations
and all those sorts of things, Just as il
they were actual, living realities and
stern, existing facts. This, too, is
amusing, telling, as it does, how easily
men can deceive themselves.
Now, as a matter of fact, what is the
Utah Democracy, where does it exist,
of what and of whom is it composed?
These queries might be extended in
definitely, and these Ioud-mouthed
Democrats who have lately come to the
front would be puzzled to answer anv
OF them. 1t might be interesting to
these sudden" Democrats to learn
something of the true status of Demo-
cracy in this Territory. Several wears
ago there was regular and perfect
Democratic organization in Utah; there
were Territorial and county committees,
platform, and all the necessary party /
machinery. For reasons which it is I'm
necessary now to state. and all of which
might not at this late date be given. the
Organization was permitted to 90
into decline, was then burglarized.
as it were, by malcontents, and
finally went out of existence. All this
occurred many years ago, before some
who are claiming to have been lifelong
Democrats, knew the meaning of the
word politics; and since then there has
been no Democratic party in Utah
there has been no regularly constituted
organization, no platform, no conven-
ton, IN fact, no Democracy, except
such as existed in the breasts OF indi-
here and there, on whom the
grand principles had 50 powerful a hoIdY
that they could not free themselves
long enough to unite with the Liberal
Or Peoples parties, the only distinct and
"ell-dehned organizations that have ex- d
Sted. The Republicans, we bell ..
nave tried to maintain the semblance
Of an organization, but they have not =
used It. members working entirely with .
the Liberals and for the success of b
Liberal principles.
In the absence of Democratic
party for the Territory, there is but n
me way to form one. and that is :,
through the regular Democratic meth II
IDS. There may be clubs and COM Fl
nittees and societies, but they are fc
IMPLY private Organizations represent =,
ng only themselves and having no an ..
hority beyond their own membership. h.
heir rules, declarations and platforms nj
re not general, nor are they in any :,
ense binding upon Democrats out nj
Idle the special societies formulating y,
hem. Their declarations may be purely f.
nd unequivocally Democratic. but thew n
Ill not belong to the Territorial Dem =
cracy. Half hundred or half a -
louSand men cannot form and ORGAN g.
e Democratic party for the Territory -,
Mess they go aboutitin the proper ana m
gular way, and yet through the regular g.,
ethodS score of Democrats can do H.
re work and make the Organization e,
ndmg upon all Democrats in Utah n
he Democrats of Salt Lake cannot de- -
are what Is democracy for the Demo- Al,
ats OF Cache or Weber Counties. any g.
ore than the Democrats of one block
one hotel, or one Office, can force the -,
of this city under their ham -
+. When we come to democracy, the
m IS broad and comprehensive in IFS
gaming; there is nothing narrow or L
attracted in it. It contemplates much us
re than committee or a society. and mo-
IS beyond single section or district as
there is to be Democratic party for VIII
all, let it take in Utah, embracing gral
~ city, town and village where cou
re is a Democrat, and enjoy peg
benefits and the strength of the opii
regate Democratic thought shedding "no
Democratic, not factional influence az +
the land. The only way to form a eNp'
aocratic party for Utah is to get the SUCH
nocrats together, by themselves or I"o'
llarly selected Representatives, and 'lie
them unitedly act in matters of 'iie :
organization, party government SUM
party platform. When theyhave done 'na'
their labors viii become the work iiiiol
tab Democrats, who must abide by Tue
accept the alternative of leaving
party and becoming boilers, Lib
Renublicans or msrbors of +ha radio
les or other parties. mems mems
d If there should be such gather n. Y