St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-07-17
LET THEM COME TO Us.

cal ruler, from the face of the earth.
LET THEM COME TO US.
1t is reported that the Democratic
leaders in Iowa are attracted by a
scheme to unite in favor of their
ticket all the discordant elements
Of opposition to the Republican party.
To this end there are a few who
would be glad to see some bait Of
fered to the Prohibitionists, policy
of Cancellation adopted toward the
free silver element, and a general
plan of action mapped out which
would mass these warning and in
congruous elements behind the DEM
ocratic candidates. In the name Of
Democracy we hope that no such
course will be pursued. 1t is the
old, fatal error, that has already
cost so much. 1t is the foolish no
ton that it is necessary for a great
the background, and offer it's con-
viction in exchange for votes. It is
essentially the policy of fusion; and
that has never yet won a victory
anywhere whose succeeding conse-
quences We're not ten times worse
than a defeat
What follows when such an under
standing is reached? The first neces-
sity is that the platform of party
must be framed to suit all the new
and heterogeneous following which
it is hoped to gather together upon
it. 1t must have a lenient eye for
all the crude political notions of
the day. 1t must pat on the back
every crank who has got together
little knot of voters in support of
his pet absurdity. This takes out of
it all stamina, all principle, all de-
votion to an earnest and fixed course
Of action. And for every vote that
it wins, it loses five. 1t is the same
principle that applies to the con-
tention over the financial question.
A few Democrats are frantically anx-
ious that the fortunes of the party
should be tied up with the issue of
free coinage. Why? Not, as many
of them are candid enough to con-
fess, because they believe it to be
vital, but because there are votes to
be had. And that is just where they
make their mistake. There are
votes to be had for Populists, but
not for Democrats. 1t is worthy OF
careful note that in most of the local
to consider the financial issue, many
of the delegates, not infrequentIy
majority, belong to the Peoples
party. 1t is the dearest wish of their
heart that the Democrats should
pronounce for free silver. Not be-
cause it would help Democracy, but
That is the secret Of their earnest
ness, and the sure result of any
such action.
The answer of the Democrat to all
such representations that there are
voters waiting to be appeased by
concessions should be, Let them
come to u.s." The doors of the Dem
ocratic party are open. 1t refuses
admission to none who will sub
scribe to it's principles. 1t permits
to all it's members the largest liberty
of thought and action. They are
free to mold it's policy if they can,
under the condition of majority rule.
But the party's mission is not to go
out hunting for strays, and to offer
them any other inducements to act
with it than are to be found in it's
declaration Of principles. 1t has
always been the traditional policy
Of Democracy, clearly declared and
firmly held, that has won. Wher-
ever there has been an attempt to
unite warning political ideas by COM
promise of principle, the people have
Not by going about with a brass
band, Offering prizes and bounties
for recruits, but by planting firmly
the banner of the party on it's strong
holds and summoning those who be-
lieve in it's cause to its side, is
success to be attained. Straight
Democratic principles can carry the
country in 1896. Fusion and COM
promise can only make defeat doubly
disastrous. No matter whether the
issue is in Iowa or in any other state,
let the dissatisfied come to us. A
victory that has to be bought by a
surrender to them, with all their
multiplied forms of heterodoxy, is
impossible, and would not be worth
winning even if it could be had.