The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-11-11
WATTERSON'S PIN.
Never Again Will IL Be Directed
Against a Regular Democratic
Ticket.

The victory of free silver at the polls in
the state of Kentucky has resulted in
HenryWatterson' withdrawal from party
leadership. The veteran editor dis
claims responsibility for the future ac-
tions of his party in this editorial, wri-
ten by himself, which appeared in the
Courier-Journal Thursday mornings
"The Courier. Journal has little to
add to what it has already said by an
ticipation, touching the Democratic sit
uation in Kentucky, brought into being
by the vote of Tuesday last. That vote
confirms the position of the convention
clerk of the court of appeals and repudiates
the position of the convention which
nominated Mr.. Hinman. 1t fixes the
relation of the Democratic organization
i'm Kentucky to the national organization
of the Democratic party, at least through
the next state and national elections. 1t
is so decisive in character as to leave
nothing in conjecture, and the Courier
Journal has neither the wish nor the pur-
pose to challenge it.
"l'he issue, as it was made and has
been fought out, was clear and explicit.
No effort was wanting to maintain it. No
body could by any possibility be mis-
taken about it. We may regret the yer.
dict against us, but we accept it. We
shall make no further effort to direct the
party course or councils, or to share in
any Of the responsibilities of the party
leadership, having done our best, acord
ing to our conscience and belief, TO di-
vert our political associates from policy
and procedure, the end of which no man
can now foresee, the result of which we
very much fear, both as to the welfare
of the country and the party. But we
are Democrats not Republicans, and
mailing our flag to the masthead of hon
est money, free trade and home rule, we
shall in the character of private soldier
in the ranks contribute whatever we are
able, to the ascertainment and the vim
diCation of truth.
For the gentlemen who have by their
victory confirmed their leadership we
entertain not the least ill-will All the
honors belonging to that leadership be
theirs; and, let us add, all the respon-
siblities. If they continue to win vic
tories they will approve their commissions.
II they lose them, they, in turn, will have
to pay the penalties Of defeat. Where
we can, we shall support them Where
we cannot su pport them we shall enter
no factious opposition to them. We 90
to political annhilation with perfect com
a single resentment or
fought out to the bitter
end profound conviction in perfect fair
ness and good faith
There are many suggestions which
the vote of Tuesday summons to the
minds Of thoughtful people; notably the
results in Maryland, Greater New'York
md the city Of Louisville, incident to
the elimination Of strife and the union of
party forces and ms the smoke Of battle
clears, wise men may perhaps find it
salutary to take this into consideration.
But for the present we shall leave the
moral of this conflict now ended to i'm
press itself in its own way upon the
masses Of the people. As we said in the
and have said during the
progress of the battle, we repeat now
From nO1e of the consequences of the fight
we have made for what we believed just
policies and sound ideas, have we the
least disposition to shrink. Had we the
whole thing to do over, we should not
Srcr hairsbreadth from the course we
have pursued; and reviewing the record, |
We rpcollect no word or act which we
would recall. What the rest can stand, |
we can stand. With charity for all, with |
malice toward none, we shall continue
o do business at the old stand precisely |
Is if nothing had happened; relieved to |
De rid Of all responsibilty.in in party affairs;
glad to go to the rear of the column !
luite assured Of our ability at all times,
mdcr all circumstances, to hold our
,wn with friend or foe and certainly in
ltforcnt whether the case in point be a |
i0Tbr an, "a foot IN pn