Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-04-24
THE DEMOCRATS or KENT.
ssEhe Hearing Mnst Begin Where
sI., " Ouat,i Was yrAsle,,s

ghe wound Nhh NFaues'
Editor Gazette b Journal: desireto make
some comment on tins letter published ia
yonr paper on the 10th instant and signed
"kent."
The letter In question was written In that
EpirIt OF courteous expression which should
mark all public discussion. 1t is evidently
the work of some intelligent man, we'll
qualified to give Judgment upon matters OF
public concern. Ii Its author had been con-
tent to give his name, together with Ills
gHfnions, to the public, | should give him
eeedit for a frank and genttemanly ex.
preston OF opinion, although dtfiar with
Rim materially In many OF the positions
which he assumed. But, no man who 10 a
Well.wisher Of the Demooratlc patty, and
kopes to see IL show united anl yictori,
0us front In the coming campaign, should
lHnd his countenance to a renewal Of h4
Wood OF anonymous newspaper COMMUNE
cations, which did 30 much damage two
gears ago.
the advice given TO the Delaparean to
s'pome out OF tho woods" Is good enough
ia its way; but It seems much more mp.
piicable TO men, who, Ike Kent" desire
w discuss these party questions, and at the
Name time to hide their Identity behind Il
Hom de plume. This Is n critical time Tor
eae Democratic party, and for the State OF
Delaware; and II is important to Know tne
nAmes and standing OF the men who come
fnrward to suggest tho best way of har-
naonizing the unhappy discords of the
paDt. We might be more patient with
anonymous writer's. II the damage done oy
Rel 10 the last campaign was NOT 80 fresh
10 memory. Perhaps Irresponsible and
unknown scribolerB did a5 much to Gu
gender hate, lntiame passions, stir up
1atmositias and tear our party asunder In
hent county, as any other one thing. Many
OF the anonymous articles are OF such
character that their authors are natur-
I1pntltV
Known. But such is not the case
With tho article upon which lam comment
ing. There i5 no reason why man who
can write 80 well, and state his side OF the
question with 80 much force, aeed hesitate
ITO come out OF the woods" and show us
who he is. 1t would be more manly for
him to do 80. What he has TO say, II he is
entitled to speak as Democrat, would
have double force over his own signature.
We appeal to the men of thought and rep
htable standing In the purity, who desire to
express opinions on the present situation,
TO do 40 bravsiy IN their own proper per-
eons, and we appeal to the patty to give no
attention to anonymous communications.
Let not those whose interest 1t may b9 to
popetuate or widen ths division In our
RANKS. aud thus to secure QUE overthrow,
bB able to stir up strife by menus OF anony-
nous neWSptpe. articles
The question for Democrats to consider
sariousiy and decide promptly is: How can
the party In Kent conIty be- firmly reunited
Undoubtedly the factionaI division In the
party sprang originally from the conten.
tions OF those aspiring to Office. As ''Kent'
Rays There Il no contention over prlncl-
Piles. There is no difference of opinion ~
TO tariff reform, State rights or State
economy; but personal ambition and greed
are causing tha Democratic party oil It's
trouble" The beginning Of orr divisions
Was truly In the personal ambition Of party
l.n rat ttun a,Kn fhn fu m
disturbances In Kent broke out into open
rupture. Oae faction became 'unt rulers
and the other faction became "kickers."
will not discuss the rights and the wrong
OF that unfortunate rupture, We are all
agreed, ! hope, to turn our faces e
In Kent be firmly reunited? On
this question "Kent" adroitlY states bis
difference with the DeldlBarcdn as follows
We wish the people to rule the party and
convention. Whom IN the name OF all that
H. reasonable does The Deld'rareda want tc
run the party" I, | may presume TO state
The difference hntwaen the proposition con
taned In the Dpla,cdrfdn's article and this
proposition X mt" advances, | will put II
IN this way: The Dtldtrdredn desires thu
Leaders Of the opposing factions to consult
IN the interest OF harmony aud to settle I
some satisfactory manner the feud, which
has already mRds Slr. Higgins United
States senator and which threatens to over
whem the party. "Kant" desires 10 see tht
factions fight II out at the primaries and II
thu convention, and hopes to 500 peace
Rld harmony prevail thereafter. !
t-ems to me that for once at least the De'd
trGreGn ia wholly right. THIS troubi,
began with the leaders Of the party. They
Rnd not the mass OF the voters, are respon
Eltle for 1t. Tho healing must begin where
the wound WAS made. The leaders owe 1
10 the patty that they agree among them
saves. Agreement among them would fnt
It's echo In the enthusiastic and ylotoriou
cneers OF reunited party. Tho mass 0
the n4mocratic voters IN Kent county u
day do ire above ali things to ssa the tEt
wings OF the party "t1ap together" Kent
is mlntnKen IN 5uppnslng Tint they Womb
look with tjealgusy" on those "who shall
meet AID try to Arrange these difficulties
The voters are not anXlous 10 fight 1t on
ut the primariea because they felr-Gnt
justly fsAr--that such fight might not tor
inars with the convention.
The distinguished gentlemen who sough
TO confer with leaders OF tho opp0ain
faction with the hope OF seeming ht'
monious action, did wisely hna wsil. II !
to be hoped that their oVerturss may yet b
met In u more friendly spirit. l wish I
say, In this cOpnerfiou, that neWspape
statements to the effect that was a part
TO the ho.calIsl conference In which 1t
alleged this movement TOR harmony orig
mated, Is entirely Incorrect. ! have nc
beeu in any such conference; although
heartily applaud every effort looking 10 a
honorable and last basis for harmnntou
party action. Division means defeat;
there not grave danger that further int
tlonal contention will result 10 division 7
WILSON I. LAVENDER.
SMYRNA April Dist 1891