The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-06-20
IFS.

lSSUES.
Looking back through the vista OF
the past one sees two clearly defined
ideas of government-democracy, or
the rule of the masses; aristocracy, or
the rule by classes.
Essentially the majority of the peo-
pie is with the democratic idea, the
minority with the aristocracy.
When the people decide upon these
warning ideas and separate into politi-
cal parties, the great mass of popula-
ton will uneeringly aggregate to that
one which best expresses the idea of a
government by and for the people.
A sacrifice of principle for that
which is seemingly expedient; the drop
ping of this or that fundamental doc
trine in order that temporary success
may be secured, retards rather than
hastens permanent good; for success
purchased at the price of principle is
both ephemeral and fruitless.
The aim of democracy is to re-estab-
lish the government by and for the
people, to wrest from an usurping
monopolistic minority the reins of gov
eminent and place them again into
rightful hands. To do this there is no
need to go away from well known and
vital issues, and we should cling close
to the doctrines of the true faith. There
are four issues upon which the mex battle
must be fought, to-wit:
First-The free and unlimited coin
age of silver.
Second-Tariff reform as understood
by the people everywhere.
Third-That exercise of civil service
reform which will insure the most scrup-
ulous honesty and exacting faithfulness
in the discharge of every public trust
by men in official position.
Fourth-A positive and radical re-
duction of public expenditures.
The party must remonetize silver,
unless the crime of decentralization
shall have been %expunged, because its
characterization was brought about by
the enemies of the people, in pursu.
ance of a conspiracy to degrade labor
and make servitors of the working
classes; because its demonstration was
for the robbery of debtors; because
there is not enough gold in or out OF
the ground with which to transact the
business of the country; because silver
is in every way fitted for the function
of money, and because the law funding
the government debt provided for the
payment of the bonds in gold and sill
yer coin of the then standard value.
1t must still battle for tariff reform
because of the onerous tax imposed
upon articles of general use by a law
that protects only the rich manufao-
turer while expressing the operative
and agriculturist.
1t must battle for civil service reform
because the trusts of Office are all pub
lie ones and must be sacredly observed.
1t must battle for a reduction of pub
lie expenditures; because public extrav-
agance, such as demands an annual
expenditure of $500, 900, 900, will con-
tinually sap the foundation stones of
democratic government and end in the
ruin of the people through burthen-
some taxation.
With issues like these the party can
march to certain victory; but should
it sacrifice any of them upon the altar OF
expediency, or for the sake of any
man or coterie of men set aside some
of its principles, and shape its platform
to suit their views, then nothing is sure.
The party must be true to its issues,
its principles, and its doctrines. II
cannot afford to go to any a The
man who bears its standard must come
IN If