The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-12-12
A PLAN FOR THE REORGANlZA-
TION OF THE DEMOCRACY.

TION OF THE DEMOCRACY.
Major Thos. j. Breckenridge of this
CITY. whose genuine Democracy IS not
questioned among his fellow citizens OF
Texas who know the consistency and po-
liticol integrity of the man, suggests that
it is best to organize Democratic clup
in Austin. lie proposes that this CLUB
should be organized upon the broad ana
basic principles of Democracy ana that
its rules should prohibit the controversy
of minor issues, which he thinks unnec-
cssarily divide the party in Texas as'well
as elsewhere.
He contends. as The Statesman has
heretofore cOntended, that the National
Democratic convention is the proper ana
highest party tribunal to determine upon
the action of the party in regard to free
silver coinage. With this idea para
mount he claims that a Democratic club
organized and sustained by all kinds OF
Democrats, where neither the difference
of opinion on or the discussion of gold
sells or it's work in the organization of
the Democratic party for the presidential
campaign of 1896, would bring Demo-
Gratis together and unite them by giving
them an organized effort to maintain
the great cardinal or organic principles
of the party, which in the end would
fix these great principles in the minds
of its members as paramount to all other
minor issues. Such club, too, would
be n test of mans Democracy, of his
willingness to sink private differences for
the maintenance of National matters of
main Importance to the great ends for
which the party has 50 long striven be
fore such minor issues arose and dis
turbed the councils of the party.
Major Brackenridge's suggestion is
along the lines heretofore advocated by
The Statesman, in which it was pointed
out that if the Democracy felt it impor-
tant to preserve its organization for the
purpose Of at least finally, carrying out
the fundamental principles of the party,
that it would he necessary for its mem
bcrs to lay aside for the time being or
hold in allegiance the silver question. It
is very evident that the party is not unit
ed but that it is at cross purposes upon
the question of silver coinage. If that
division is to make permanent breach
in the ranks of the party we might as
oil l,y IN, tl,N
dental contest of 1896. With Il d-
vided party the Democracy cannot win
in that campaign.
We suppose the silver coinage Demo-
Gratis will agree that this is true. But
we want to win in order to carry out
other great principles, one, to-wit, the
reduction of Il protective tariff or sus-
tanning it at its present reduction. There
are also other general principles of the
party that have not yet been fully embOd-
led into the policy of the administration
from all these causes or motives
it is apparent that if the Democracy of
the different States are not organized
upon the lines and according to the re-
strictions suggested and advocated by
Major Breckenridge it would be perfectly
useless for the party to organize mt all.
We cordially second the motion of Ma
jOr Breckenridge to organize Democrat
ic club in this city which shall be open
to membership to any Democrat in the
city of Austin and also in the
county of Travis with the distinct pledge
and understanding that each member shall
bind himself to encourage the full organi-
cation of the party on the same lines; that
is to say, that members of this club who
favor Il gold standard shall be silent on
that subject and not cooperate with any
other local or State organization based
solely or in part upon that principle And
also that those favoring the free coinage
of silver shall be governed by the same
rules, that the silver members shall also
be silent on that subject and not unite
with any local or State organization which
has for its object the encouragement of
members of the Democratic party to or
ganze the party into free silver advocates.
This is fair, for it binds both wings of the
Democracy alike, and will be II factor in
reconciling these conflicting opinions and
directing the efforts of united party to
sustain the National organization and
maintain the great and fundamental prin-
ciplcs of the party.
Major Breckenridge has proposed the
only way that a patriotic Democrat can
act to preserve the life of his party. We
suggest that Major Breckenridge and
other leading Democrats who think the
policy is wise one, call a meeting at some
early day and initiate the organization of
such club loyal to the party and not
mere wing of the party.
AN EFFORT TO DISRUPT DEMO