Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-11-14

State convention to send delegates to
a National Convention, at q time 80
early a to deny an opportunity for
discussing it, would be in utter viola
ton of the time-honored usage of the
party and meet with the disapprovai
of the fair and conservative element
of the free coinage silver Democrats
as well as of those who approve it.
On the other hand, if the State Com
mitteemen who are charged with the
duty of calling and fixing the time and
place for holding such convention OBJ
serve and are governed by the Gus
tom of the party in the past and de-
signate a time for holding such con-
vention SO as to allow full opportun-
ity for discussion, no reason can be
given why this should not be accept
ed by all and acted upon in good
faith, especially SO when it must be
conceded that every question of party
policy of principle should be fully and
freely discussed before adopting or
rejecting it.
The utmost confidence can be re-
posed in the masses to reach q correct
conclusion on any question brought
before them after it has been fully in
vestigated and discussed by them.
But do not call on them for a verdict
before all the evidence has been
heard or before the case is fully sub
mitted.
Whatever solution is reached by the
majority of the party, after such dis
cussion is had, should and would be
binding on the minority, and should
be accepted and acted upon by all in
good faith.
That the majority should rule is a
fundamental principle, and is the
chief corner stone on which the DEM
ocratic party is founded. Each ele-
ment of the party has the right to
contend for its views on any disputed
question, but when the contention is
over and a majority expression is
given that should end the contention,
and the minority should unite with
the majority and make battle against
the common enemy, and in one un-
broken column charge upon their
works. In division defeat is newt
able; in ~unification success is not only
attainable, but can be made certain.
Missouri is now as surely Democrat
ic as it ever was, and our further con-
tinuance in power depends upon con-
certed, conservative and conciliatory
action, and due observance of the GUS
toms of the party in obtaining an ex-
preston of the majority on any dis
puted question of principle or party
policy; and upon the cessation of
waging wal against each other in
stead of against the common foe.
The opinion prevails in many parts
of the State that it is the purpose of
the 10 gentlemen who were proposed
as an addition to the State Central
Committee by the Pertle Springs
convention to cur control of the
State Committee and then to cut off
discussion OF the silver question by
a nonobservance and ignoring of party
usage, and calling a convention at a
date SO early as to make full discus
sion of the question impossible. From
the we'll known character of these
gentlemen for fairness, I cannot be-
lieve for a moment that any such pur-
pose is entertained by them, but, on
the contrary, believe that they will
conclude that it would be more pro-
motive of harmony and more salts
factory to the entire Democracy of
the State in calling the State conven-
ton to adhere strictly to the well and
long established usage of the party.
With this conciliatory disposition
manifested on their part, all objection
to the regularity of their appointment
might, in a spirit of compromise, and
for the sake of party harmony, be
waived.
My great desire for the success of
the Democratic party, with which /
have acted as a voter and a worker
for more than 80 years, is the sole
motive prompting this communica-
ton. l hope to Q the Democratic
banner wave in triumph over our
State and National elections; and the
prestige and policy of the party fully
restored in both State and and Ma
tional administrations.
e. HI. NORTON.
Stoddert Society meets with Mrs.
Hunter Thursday afternoon at 8
O'Clock on East Promenade street.