The San Francisco call., 1896-07-07
THE INDIVIDUALS WORK.

The importance of individual effort in a
| political campaign is not sufficiently con-
| sidered by most people. This is especially
| true Of Republicans when it is pretty gen.
orally believed that their party will have
| "walk-oyer." Ever since the st. Louis
convention there has been feeling in the
ranks of the party that Mr.. Mckinley
| would have majority so large that the
Democracy would have reason TO doubt
that il was in the race. Now, il is Just
| this kind OF wild and foolish talk, and act
ing upon IL, that will defeat the Repubh-
can ticket, if it is defeated. And, again,
the Republican rank and file and leaders
had better make up their minds that vic
tory next Novem ber is not to be secured by
lounging upon rosy beds of ease mean
while. No matter who is nominated at
Chicago, the Democracy is going 10 put
u rs good fight rs it knows how. The
new bosses who have got hold of the
machinery of the Democratic party are
boiling over and will continue to boil over
with enthusiasm, and of kind that is so
contagious that it is sure to inoculate
pretty much all the rank and file.
Then, again, there is n disposition on the
part of great many Republicans to
console themselves with the belief that
the public has suffered so severely under
Democratic rule that every body wants a
change and that everybody will vote for
Mckinley. The very next belief that will
be entertained by such reasoners is almost
certain TO be that "the Republican major
ity will be so great anyway ] will take no
active part in the campaign" Only one
or two OF that kind in each neig borhood
would be enough to insure the defeat OF
the Republican ticket, and all such people
would be less harmful to the party if tNAy
were to go over TO the enemy.
Moreover. il will not do to put much
faith in dissensions in the Democratic
party. Democrats will pull hair and de.
nounce everything and everybody. but it
is ''yaller-dog" party and any kind of a
ticket goes on election-day. a large East
ern contingent will bolt the Chicago NOM
ination, no doubt. but their States would
so Republican anyway, while in the al
ways Democratic States the party is as
likely As not 10 hold its own. 1t will not
do, therefore, for Republicans to permit
themselves TO become apathetic on the
ground that the Democratic party is dead
and that the election of Mr. Mckinley will
be merely matter of easy-going form.
The Democracy is far from being dead.
The new leaders of the Democratic party
are wagering their political salvation upon
the contest, and Republicans everywhere
had better make up their minds that they
have work TO do.
10 properly organize for battle every
member of the party should not only 90
on duty, but feel that he is absolutely nee
essary TO victory. 1t is the enthusiasm OF
| the individual that starts and keeps alive
party spirit, and it is the individual who
votes. Ii 1t is the desire of Republicans
that William Mckinley should be the next
President they will have to work in their
individual capacity as well as collectively
faradins the streets and attending public
meetings are not only necessary but obliga-
tory, for great good comes of that kind OF
campaign work, but victory is oftensr due
10 the efforts of the individual in a mis-
slonary sort OF way. It is not good pol
| itics TO wait until the formal" opening OF
the campaign. Let the informal work OF
the individual be begun now, and let him
grow in enthusiasm for the success of the
Republican party from day to day. There
VIII be no room for spectators in the 'holy
show" that is TO be made of the Democracy.