The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-22
MoNTANA,s DEMOCRACY.

MONTANA'S DEMOCRACY.
The meeting of representative demo
Gratis from every county in tho state, II
this city yesterday, for the purpose OF
perfecting IN organization OF democratic
societies and securing representation iii
the national association of democratic
clubs, was q gratifying success from
every point Of view. This is an off year
in our politics. No general election is
to be held here this fall, and naturally
many men, who are ordinarily interested
in political contests feel like taking a
season of rest before entering upon the
great contest of next year. In spite OF
this fact, however, every one of the six
teen counties Of the state had some of
its representative mon IN yesterdays
councils, and the enthusiasm and ear
nestness with which they entered upon
the business that called them together
gave token of the deep interest that
they and their constituencies take in
the great questions that are now before
the American people.
The work of organization was we'll
and thoroughly done. The officers SO
lected for the state association arc men
we'll fitted for their posts. AS Governor
Black we'll said, the societies are to form
the fighting contingent of the party, to
cooperate with national and state com
mittees in support of democratic men
49, lo,,~a~o4,o ~>oorrrnn ThN rfntN
organization has chosen officers worthy
to lead fighting men. They are leaders
who will not finch from taking the
head of the column and the brunt of
the fighting at every point where the
enemy is to DO attacked.
The constitution Of the state society
is a clear and unmistakable declara-
ton of principles. Like the other state
organizations its creed is crystalized in
the declaration that cit will not pre-
scribe Platforms; it will ratify them. 1t
will not nominate candidates; it will
support them. Its conventions are held
after, not before, the nominating con
ventions."
It will be seen that there is no room
here for factional contests, no possibility
that the societies can be used in the in
terests of this or that candidate, no
danger that the machinery will be per-
verted to uses not intended by the
trainers of the organization.
The organization is one that every
democrat, young or old, may join. No
other test is required than subscription
to the simple Jeffersonian principles of
government. Here are the principles of
each local club:
To preserve the constitution Of the
United States. the autonomy of the states, |
local self-government, and freedom of cleo
tions;
To resist revolutionary changes and the
naturalization of power;
To oppose tie imposition of taxes beyond
the necessities Of government economically
administered;
To promote economy in ali branches of
the public service;
10 oppose unnecessary commercial re-
strictions for the benefit of the few at the
expense of the many;
To oppose class legislation, which de-
spoils labor and builds up monopoly;
To maintain inyio.ate the fundamental
principle of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS before
the law and
10 cooperate with the regular organlza-
ton of the democratic party in support of
democratic mon and democratic measures.
A man who cannot subscribe to such
doctrine as that is not a democrat and
the party does not want him. The local
clubs also have a free coinage plank.
In forming the democratic society of
the state only the last of the above
declarations is reiterated, it not being
deemed necessary to repeat the creed Of
all the clubs.
OF last nights glorious meeting, the
stirring speeches and enthusiasm, Il
news columns tell the story. 1t was a
glorious day for Montana democracy,
and every man left last nights meeting
a better democrat, with more confidence
in his party's success and determined to
do his full share to bring it about.