The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-04-06

! dppEdl w tIS puOHC llll1u anu INVOKE
public opinion in the intervals be-
tween campaigns as we'll as during
campaigns. 1t will, like the Demo
cratic Society of Jeif.rson's time,
discuss, asitate and arouse the people
to the penis of their situation IL will
promote the study of fundamental
principles, and disseminate them,
through these neighborhood parlia.
ments, where every citizen may be
heard as freely, and if he has that to
say which justly command; public
attention, with as much influence and
power, as if be were speaking in the
Legislature or in Congress. 1t will
print; it will sow the country with
documents; it will educate a swarm
Of speakers and writer's in the true
principles Of republican government;
1t will educate the people to teach
themselves their rights and their duties;
it will array the Democratic party in
harmonious union upon the creed of
their forefathers and place it in solid
column upon that road which, in the
language of Mr.. Jefferson, "alone
leads to peace, liberty and safety"
Then the Democratic party will be ir-
resistible and invincible, simply be-
cause it ought to be-"
This form of organization has been
advised by every Chairman of the
National Committee and by every
Chairman Of the State Committee,
since 1898, and under the solemn
command of the State Convention,
twice spoken, it is the duty of every
Democrat, in official relation with the
party, to promote it by every means
in his power. 1t is urged by the Chair.
man of the Ways and Means Com
mittee of the House as the surest, per
haps, the only means Of saving the
cause Of tariff reform in the great
struggle, which approaches, and it is
looked to with hope and confidence
by the Cleveland administration, en-
titled, as the latter is, to the cordial
united and organized support of the
people, whose rights and interests it
is endeavoring to protect. With such
a system completed, as contemplated
by the State Convention and party
authorities, touching, at least, if not
covering, every election district in the
State, challenging monopoly in every
neighborhood, the success Of tariff re-
form in the coming elections would
be assured, and there would be no
more monstrous Republican majori-
ties in Pennsylvania.
The Democracy of Pennsylvania
should at this moment be organizing
to the best advantage for the cam
paign Of this year. Under an unjust
appointment we have but ten seats
in Congress. We can not afford to
lose any of them, and we ought to
gain others. The Democratic ad-
ministration and our gallant Demo-
cratic leaders in Congress have a
right to expect that we will not betray
them in the hour of trial by permit
ting the loss of a single member, who
may be saved. A Legislature and a
full State ticket are to be chosen and
countless local Offices, of inestimable
Importance in the aggregate, are in
volved and dependent upon the spirit
of the Democratic party and the
efficiency of Democratic organization.
Shall we yield these mighty stakes to
the enemy in advance, or shall we
make fair fight for the whoe of
them? We can, at least, hold our own,
and it is not at all impossible to
sweep the field.
The control of the executive de-
partment OF the State government is
quite as important as ever it was in
all our State history. The defeat of
the Republican machine candidate
for Governor in 1882 and a similar
defeat in 1890, were recognized as
the victories of the justly incensed
people over corrupt political machines,
| abusing ill-gotten power, and pro
posing further prostitution of the
State government to the service of
rings and certain lawless corporations.
Is the situation different today? 1t is
known of all even that the Republican
ticket is already nominated, in advance
of the assembling and even Of the
election of the delegates, and that the
same state bossism, and the same
local machines at the two ends of the
state, are in absolute control, and
that the members of the state ticket
thus named, will, if elected, be the
mere instruments of the combined
bosses, machines and corporations,
as were all their predecessors, who
took Office under the same malign
auspices.
Will the decent people of Pennsyl
vania permit this restoration of all
that is evil in state politics without
an effort to prevent lt9 We do not
| tI;,,1, rNba ttclr al uu,li