Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-17
DEMOCRATS, STAND FIRM.

the county that they-the populists-
court a straight, middle of the road
fight, which can mean nothing else
than three -cornered political contest
this fall.
We believe that the course of the
party in Barton county will be the
course pursued through the congress
ional and state conventions, and we
don't know but what, all things taken
into consideration, it is the best and
will eventually prove a benefit to the
democratic party of the county and
state.
While there are many questions at
issue upon which democrats and popu-
lists of the west and south can agree,
there are other questions upon which
they are as wide apart as are the
sun and the moon; and until such time
as the conditions of the times will
bring about a thorough agreement
between the two parties on ALL ques-
tions of vital interest to our people,
allied by an attempt to fuse the two.
Both parties have an organization
sePerate from and entirely distinct
from the other, and only by a test of
the strength of the two organizations
can the question be determined as to
which of the two can accomplish the
most for the good of our people and
bring about the legislation that we so
much need and must have if our
country is permitted to prosper.
While as a western democrat we
regret the course of certain narrow
minded and mercenary bigots who claim
to be democrats but at the same time
unite with the only foes of democracy,
the republican party, which course pur
sued in Washington has demoralized our
party and placed it in the same relation
$50 far as legislation thus far had) with
the eastern dominated republican party,
we still believe that the masses of the
people will be heard through the demo
cratic party, and that before another
national election it will be more strongly
united than ever before, and will be in
a position to cut loose from the golden
idols that today seem to compel hom-
age and levy tribute just the same as
they have done through the republican
party for the last thirty or more years.
When democrats reflect that the pop
ulist party has not attained to any ma
tional prominence; when we reflect that
in only few states are the populists
ableeven to obtain state prominence land
then only through the friendliness of
democrats, won to them by their
endorsement of political policies always
advocated by western democrats); when
we remember that less than two years
ago the democratic party went forth to
victory with one of the largest majori~
ties of the popular vote ever cast in
presidential election, there is no need
for a democrat to fear that the new
party will supersede US or supplant our
party.
Kansas democrats have fought many
a thankless battle; have contended with
greater odds than have met democracy
ip any other state in the Union; and
they are not of the metal that will be
apt to give in to any and every new
party that may be brought into exist
ence through the dissatisfaction of the
people over misrepresentation or trait
orous acts of political bHcketshoP deal
ers of the Hill and Sherman stripe.
Because of the appearance of local
af local leaders in the populist party
~ta y9qld never have attained place or
prominence but fQF the magnanimous
actions of liberal minded democrats. is
no reason why any Kansas democrat
should be discouraged or for a moment
hesitate 70 stand squarely and firmly by
his principles and do his whole duty as
free American citizen and a RE@o.
GRAF,
The state issues have not yet shaped
themselves. When they de, and when
republicans and populists have worried
through the deep waters that lie before
them in state convention, we believe
that the outlook for Kansas democracy
will be much brighter than it is at pres
snl, and that Barton county democracy
viii be in position 10 go TO victory in the
old style manBeF.
We would say then to democrats
''Saw wood" Act as true democracy
teaches, in a conservative, American
manner; counting no contentious and
4lakJng n9 enemies either among your
selves or those @ho politioally oppose
you; and when the time comes for
individual or party action stand firmly
by the true principles of democracy
snd win or lose, as we have in the past
In a stfaightiofga4E9 political course
that will command respect ana ceH;