The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-03-26

Il representation, would D9 Tor each FAC
tion to be represented in proportion I,
Its strength. This would be- larg,
concession by the majority, for tn,
simple reason that under established
democratic usage, the minority il
any given political unit is not accorded
any representation, and rarely ac
qu1res or expects any-the majority
accepting and carrying allresponsibilt
ty for what may be done. This much
however, can be conceded without
hagrant violation of principle-but il
goes to the utmost limit that principle
viii allow. A single step further is q
step beyond the limit of representative
democracy.
| Thus far the majority may go with
out surrender of basic principles, aud
thus far it should go, if any precon-
certed division be deemed necessary
to secare the desired ends-it being
understood first, last and all the time
that such preconcerted division is
purely advisory, aud that the final
arbltrament must rest in froe, un-
trammeled primary, without rules re-
strictiye of freest choice. This can
work no hardship upon one sincerely
attached to democratic principles.
Any man who would hesitate to ac-
cept such plan because it might in
| y"o Liz poi CDduCOS WOulu De uQ-
worthy the confidence OF the people.
Any man who rejects it because it does
not insure, or promise to insure, de-
Unite ratios, or becaues it does not
concede more representation than
democratic usage justifies, is lacking
In the essentials of patriotism.
But what will it matter after all,
whether the minority have one-half,
or one-third, or ne-fourth in the con-
vention, II they pledge themseve las
they propose to do in the primary to
do precisely the same thing thai the
majority have been pledged TO all
along, and have sealed their devotion
to those pledges by an unwsve ring
fidelity in face of most violent opposi-
eaon2-Ih. - solicitude to as
sumo greater roa p.nsibIlfty than -Dr0p-
erly ATTACHES to them while pledging
themselves to do just what we have
unfalteringly stood for, is inexplicable
unless they distrust either our par
pose or our ability to carry out those
pledges. III they sincerely agree with
us as to the object TO be achieved by
thcconvention, why then, every ground
OF difference between us being remov
ed, there is absolutely no excuse for
any tampcring with the primary. The
limits OF the work being agreed upon,
there is no more differences between
the majority and the minority faction
or principle, so far as this :'speciai
case" is concerned, and hence the
whole question resolves itself into a
question OF mon. The meaurcs being
agreed upon, it is purely question of
men, and there can be no Justification
or shadow of excuse for tinkcring with |
the question OF representation. 1t ia |
perfectly plain sailing by the chart |
laid down by our State Democratic |
Executive Committee, composed -. !,
both factions, upon the representative |
bases fixed by the party. Being pure
ly u aquestien Of men to do prescribed |
work, 1T would be little short OF crimi- |
nal to violate principle and run in the
race OF democratic usage, to further
the interests OF any man or class or
faction OF men. Neither faction can
afford TO lend it's sanction to such |
prostitution. Under these circum-
stances there is no excuse for any de-
parture from the strictly democratic
way the way prescribed by the State
committee-a full, free primary cleo
tion for delegates. That should be
entirely satisfactory to all Democrats,
where oil questions OF principle arc
agreed upon, and it only remains to
select the men for the work prescribed.
~ ioiio"S, VI CourSc, IudG LRc OC5C men
should be selected regardless of fac
tional utilization. 1 believe that such
will be selected If proper effort is made
provide for absolute fai!iOss III til the
conduct OF the primary quit talking
about ratios; quit trying to devise
schemes to insure cut and dried re-
suits; quit assuming that either side
or anybody will act in bad faith and
trying to protect against it; let every
body 60 to talking up the best qualified
men for this difficult and delicate work,
and then let all abide the result. The
limits and the nature of the work to
be done being agreed upon by the re-
preventative mon of both factions. |
repeat In conclusion there can be no
excuse for any effort to curtail the
fullest, freest choice in tho primary OF
tho mon. to do the work. This is de-
mocracy pure and simple and should
be good enough for all who profess to
be Democrats.
j. MN. STOKE.
Orange burg, S. c., March 15