The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-02-13
A WORD TO DEMOCRATS.

Never before in the history of the dem
: %ocratic party in Montana have the pros
poets for a victory at a general election
been so encouraging as they are at the
present time. The party has arrayed
itself upon the popular side of the two
great issues-tariff reform and free sill
yer coinage-w which will inevitably come
before the people for their arbitration.
1t has largely gained in prestige by the
election of an increased majority of gov
crnors of the several states in the union
many of them being in long recognized
republican states, and in securing an
overwhelming majority in the present
congress. The democratic party of Mon
tana enters the ensuing campaign with
the stimulating prestige of these politi-
cal successes. In addition it will present
an unhroken front to the enemy. neither
discord among its leaders nor disscnsions
within It's ranks being present to dis
turb the harmonious working of the
whole.
These very iattering conditions would
seem to assure a certain if not an easy
victory at the polls next November. but
democrats are reminded that eternal
vigilance is the price of success. A fatal
error may he committed if they accept IA
probability for an assured fact. The re-
publican party has no little advantage
in its disposition of federal patronage.
and the possession Of an immense cor
ruption fund fried ont of the great trusts
and corporations and other beneficiaries
of a high protective tariff. Both will be
forced into service to coerce or purchase
Il victory in the absence of argument.
The defeat Of the republican party
upon the issue of tariff reform alone
means its humiliation and death Ii
would be left without Il single support to
maintain its integrity as a political or |
ganization Its life is high protection:
its spirit is high protection, and its phys
zeal structure is grounded upon high
protection. Defeat high protection. and
the life. the soul and the body of the re-
publican party will forever disappear.
Its leaders know this if its rank and file
do not. and no efforts or means will be
spared to secure a political triumph and
a longer lease Of life. Federal officials
will he pressed into service and the
swelling corruption fund of the republi-
can party will be expended with a lavish
hand.
These are conditions of which demo-
Gratis cannot afford to lose sight. Rec
ognition of their existence and imme-
date preparation to meet them will
mean IA half won victory before the bat
tie is fought. A thorough organization
Of the party is the first step in the prep
%aratIOn. and a complete organization can
be effected only through the formation
clubs. They are the arteries through
which the life-blood of the party flows:
they are bodies through which the vital
ty of the party may be given force and
effect; central points from which move
against the common enemy may :
directed and inspiration to do battle
)e gathered. Too much Importance can
lot be attached to fully organized and
vell-disciplined clubs. They should be
'rganized in every hamlet. every com
nunity, every town and city in the state.
n his open letter Chairman Collins has :,
ample reasons why they should a
nd can be made a powerful factor in "
he approaching campaign. Let the Il
'ord pass all along the democratic line,
ORGANIZED! organized! Let it :
e obeyed and victory will surely perch
pom the banner of the democracy Of the
tate mex November.