The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-17
DISSENT.
To the Editor of The American.

this departure from the standpoint OF
democrat.
In my opinion the name and traditions OF
political organizations are essential to
successful reforms in government, and
know of no better definition II a party by.
OF and for the people than that usually
recognized and accepted by the term democ-
racy. II stands, tirst of all. for repre-
sentative form of government by ali The
people regardless OF class, section, race or
color lines. 1t stands for local self gov
ernment; for the prlciple that maiorires
must rule in conventions, elections and leg
!siatuTeS; for individual. religious and. po-
htical liberty: for freedom Of speech and
press; for trial by jury; the right OF the
writ Of habeas corpus, against unreason-
able search of persons and their effects; for
equal rights 10 all and special privileges to
none; the supremacy of the civil over mill
tary authority: the independence Of the
three coordinate branches OF government
in fact, for civil liberty in its broadest
sense. and comes nearer being the en-
bodiment of the bill OF rights as inter-
preted in our constitutional law than any
political doctrine or party yet devised I'M
der our free republican Institutions. lis
ieneis are we'll understood to convey all
that is precious and essential 10 q free peo-
pie. and have been clearly defined by con-
Ventions. both political and constitutional.
as well as by legislative and judicial as
stmbiles from time immemorial.
It's true meaning has not only been
written down and expouuded by leNi-
cographers and philosophers. but it's very
essence has been absorbed by our citizens
OF communities, States and Nation. In
other words. it has become a household
word, and Is inseparable from our histori-
cal growth and glory and the future prog
ress of our country as the declaration OF
independence and the constitution of The
0itCl States in, ant
OF the great political forces and principles
upon which our government is founded
and maintained the centrifugal force by
which central government is avoided ana
local self government is made possible Is
contra distinguished from the force 81
Capitalization as represented by the re-
publican party. Its doctrines as thus de-
fined are broad enough and deep enough
TO embody every reform tha may be
come necessary for a free people as new
emergencies arise and as civilization ad-
Vances. To part with the name OF de.
mocracy would be parting with a great
zeal OF its substance as we'll as its forms
ana would give rise to new constructions
or party tenets and lead to endless con
fusion II not hopeless dslntegration O,
me political forcee that now make m the
rank and file Of the democratic party. Lei
US hold fast rather to that which is good
ana lnauSurate reforms within old party
lhes' ana there can he no better rallving
ground than the Chicago platform OF 1896
oncts, me dissatisfied elements OF the
republican party and the populisL marty
IN fact all people who hope to inaueurnfe
I,uter and better government by means
V, ne practicai reforms as outlined In thai
alioTIh; VIII Join hands and forces under
tne banner OF democracy In 1900 as thnv
uiu IN 1876 with almost the absolute as
suTahce of success.
III this great
VI popular government which was the re-
sun OF one Of the greatest civic strng,Ios
VI rhe century, is not worthy Of the Gun
poi Oh every true American who under.
o, '"uS me trend of political events. what
o1n IN, platform would be? II the practical
lo!'ucai reforms therein annalIuced do
~. ~ oher the way 10 political freedom q,
o,n,, prVpie ana genuine refomn Of gov.
e'iii,snl methods. what other nIa,forr,
Nuulu II has passed through the trvinc
~, "'"I OF one OF the most significant poIiti7
caI upheavals. and has come omt ~ H..
sttssie stronger than ever and 50 has i,s
a ' ana fearless defender who was non
dental candidate 90 HS presi-
IL wonld be suicidal policy In r,r -
'on, 10 change either in tho nov, opln
"n''al election, and "A nubIic cais,,,tt,s'
SS"anSs the name OF the party With ~, W
or -, 1o'h me platform and The candiJata.
ocratio the chance of electing a dem.
rif,y.s, muse OF representatives in tba
tri,d lii, congress, by resorting 10 nm
~" po'tlcal eHpodients Political n,ri,,,
- forms are growth like evory,hin.
under the heavens. and ~,
in Isl, ABOUT hv evolution not revolu,;o,,
~, "'ll"ai methods. This is Tho a..
:" ana aim of democracy. which nnin,,,
hcc,,,s 'nN pain that leads 10 success
"us' US principles are founded in tr,,,h
, anu Justice. and are as indestrmo,1,,, y, "sn
nc nc iuca ct freedom itself. and uban ' 40
~ NV nahds OF its true adyocates and III
Nj c'h not fail 10 bring about ~
f nc,,n, OF free government. bur No, n nr
plare o,,- must remember that while We
,'',e our IDEALS high We can onIv r. w
nes' TO work in the direotion -, nope a,
Ia III practical Legislation and tho al
attat ~ OF government we can navo,
~ al mat We would desire.
,,r, great bulwark OF liberty. trial H.,
its o us not give entire satisfaction in
the mia 80 py any means, neither does
the iute 81 majorities always operate ,n
,ne interest OF justice and eoraI,,, IN
al are recognized nevertheless as oss ou.
,,,,t, 10 Tree government. So tarin ian
onoratia ,e' DC exactly equal and lust I'm I,s
ln atioh' although II is the n,,rnos ~ IS
p ,, 10 make 1t so, as far as possih,e
causes fo- the growth Of trus na' ,he great
~ appreciation OF gold and the faii 4,
a a, which make It Impossible for ", mn ~
Nv, 10 Keep their heads above waier savo
oy trusts to artificially keep up pri"cs
s LON a ans. The discrimination in ,ranspor,a
abI,, share.s In favor OF clique enterprlses
when again result In trusts by sfifIi,.
sompeti,ion' etc. l agree with you IN =
monu, mat the battle cry OF the fut,,re
should be; Equality OF opportunity. euuals
NY OF burdens and equality OF human
r r,, but why change the name OF HE
pity which stands by its platform for nil
ms. by way of practical and feasible rem.
saies which arc capable of execution: DO
not condemn II now since II has shaken off
US dress and has entered the battle for
human freedom In Its regeneration. before
assistance and help upilft Its banner and
press to victory. You admit that democ-
racy took heed Of the revulsion Of feeling
In 1885. and took q great step to put kseif
IN accord with the principles Of true DEM
0CfapY and fall ktst q 1tttla oh -