The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-04-18

democratic principles, together with
the activity and earnestness of MEM
bers of the club, furnish the most graf
flying evidence that those who abide
here fully realize the value and impor-
lance of unremitting political endeavor
and thorough organization in behalf of
true democracy. 1t seems to me that
the atmosphere which pervades this
place is i'll suited to selfish and ignoble
designs; and | feel at this moment that
/ am surrounded by Influences which
invite patriotic p~artisanship and disin-
terested devotion to party principles.
s'This sensation is most agreeable,
for | am glad to be called q partisan if
my partisanship is patriotic. If n par
tisan is correctly defined as zone who is
violently and ~passionately devoted to a
party of interest," | must plead guilty
to the charge of being n democratic
partisan, so long as the democratic
is true to its creed and traditions and 20
long rs conditions exist which to my
understanding make adherence to its
doctrines synonymous with patriotism.
alt is Il glorious thing to belong to II
party which has n history beginning
with the first year of our government
and full of achievements interviewer
with all that has made III country
great and kept our people free. 1t is
an inspiring thing to know that by vir-
tue of II party membership we are
associated with those who resist the
attempt of arrogant political power,
who interfere with the independence
and integrity of popular suffrage, who
are determined TO relieve our country
men from unjust, unnecessary burdens,
who are intent upon checking eXtrava-
gance in public expenditures and who
test party purposes by usefulness in pro-
noting the interest and welfare of the
people of the land. These considera-
tons furnish to those who live in this
country the highest and best incentives
to constant and faithful effort in the
cause of true democracy.
ave are reminded on this occasion
that we not only have a proud history
and glorious traditions, but that our
party has an illustrious founder, whose
services and teachings have done as
much to justify and make successful
our government by the people and for
the people as any American who ever
lived. A claim to such political ances-
try is of itself sufficient to lend honor
and pride to membership in a party
which preserves in their vigor and pur-
ity the principles of hat democracy
which was established by Thomas JEFF
ferson.
ssNo man believed more implicitly in
the political instruction of the people
than the great founder of party,
and the first triumph of democratic
principles under his leadership was dis
tinctly the result of q campaign of eda-
cation. So, too, in the light of our
last great victory no man who desires
democratic success will deny the su-
preme importance of a most thorough
and systematic presentation to our fell
low citizens of the reasons which sup
port the avowed and accepted purposes
of our party. Those who now sheer
at efforts in that direction are our e
mies-whether they confront us as con-
fessed opponents or whether they are
traitors skulking within our camp.
at seems to me that this is peculiar
" a time when the democratic party
should be mindful of its relations to
the country, of its responsibilities as
the guardian of sacred principles and
of its duty TO a confiding people. In
the rejoicing which success permits
let us remember that the mission of
our party is continued warfare. We
cannot accomplish what we promised
to the people if we allow ourselves to
be diverted from the perils which are
still in our way. Blindness to danger
and neglect of party organization and
discipline are invitations to defeat. We
cannot win permanent and substantial
success by putting aside principle and
grasping after temporary expedients.
We shall court disaster of relax indus
try in commencing to the intelligence
of our countrymen the creed which we
profess, and we tempt humiliating fail
ure and disgrace when W. discourage
or tolerate those who, claiming fellow
ship with us, needlessly, and often
from the worst of motives, seek to stir
up strife and SOW discord in u party"