The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1894-03-10
DEMOCRATS. BE ON YOUR GUARD!

DEMOCRATS, BE ON YOUR GUARD!
The state democratic convention,
which is to nominate a supreme Judge,
Il railroad commissioner, and the super
intendent of public instruction, has
been called to meet in Kansas City, on
the fifteenth day of May. This being
much earlier than the usual date for
holding this convention, the good DEM
ocrats of the state are asking: "Why
the changer" And especially is this
the case with the farmers, who ut this
time will be busy preparing for their
corn crop. 1t has been suggested that
u movement is on foot to pack this
convention with delegates that are in
thorough accord with the policies OF
Mr.. Cleveland, and to force through
that body resolutions endorsing his
position on public issues.
The INTELLIGENCER gives little
credit to the statements, and yet we
can see how such a scheme could be
formulated, and, in its execution, why
an early convention would be favorable.
Missouri is an agricultural state.
Her farmers are largely her voters,
and about the time the convention is
called they will be in the midst of their
busiest season. 1t will work n hard
ship on many of them to leave their
plows to attend their county and town.
ship meetings, and in case of their
absence it will be very easy for the
ward politicians (whose highest am
bition and the secret of whose patriot
ism is to get oflice) to control them.
The Missouri democracy regards Mr..
Cleveland as a great and an honest
man. They accord to him all due
credit for what he has accomplished
for his party. While they differ from
him upon many issues, they have done
so periodically, friendly, and without
fear or favor. They believe that his
financial policy Is fraught with danger.
They oppose the issuing of bonds.
They favor the income tax, tariff for
revenue, and desire that the officers
appointed by the president should be
workers within the ranks of the dem
ocratic party.
In Mr.. Cleveland's diversion from
this line of policy he has met with their
protests and dissatisfaction.
As for the early convention, with or
without any schemes behind it, we
believe that the state central committee
committed serious error. There can
be no special reason given for an eaily
call. The present condition of affairs
at Washington surely would suggest
that every election or convention of the
party be postponed as long as possible.
Let's rest on our oars awhile. Wait
and see what the senate and president
will do with the tariff and seigniorage
bills before we formulate any resolu-
tions of Endorsement.
The INTELLIGENCER believes that
the democratic administration will take
care of the tariff. We have our fears
as regards that plank in the Chicago
platform that declares that both metals
shall be coined on a parity, and with
out discrimination. In the vigorous
warfare for honest money, Vest and
Cockrell and the Missouri congressman
have had the unqualified endorsement
of the Missouri democracy, and it must
awake to every scheme and Gee that no
resolution is passed at the Kansas City
convention that they do not endorse.
Every mans first duty is to his country,
and now that many important issues
confront this republic let every demo-
crat take an active interest. The bat
tie for the double standard has Just
49,
begun. 1t will be fought to an end.
Backed by principle, snbstantiatcd by
history, and championed by wise states
men, the day Is not far distant when
the flag of the double standard advo-
Gates will wave victorious. We want
to see harmony within the party, but
not at the price Of sacrificing principle.
At the state convention in Kansas
City we want the delegates to be in
thorough accord with the Missouri
democracy. We do not believe that
there is a scheme on foot TO have the
convention endorse anybody, yet it is
always well to prepare for any emer-
gency in a political convention. Dem
ocratic delegates must be sent to Kan
sas City-no mugwumps. Let every
democratic voter and every democratic
newspaper awake to the issues. If
the convention is to be on May 10, let's
see that good, substantial and reliable
democrats control 1t.