Birmingham state herald., 1897-06-30
DEMOCRACY.

The Fallxville Chronicle in it's last is- sue attempts to discuss democracy and the lfberality which should characterize democratic newspapers. Among other things the Chronicle says:
 Tt would be extremely difficult to find two members. of any party who enter tained precisely the same views, whilst, in the main, the party to which they bs- long advocated the principles they in- dorsed more fully than any other. There were blanks in the Chicago platform that many democrats didn't like, for instance, the free coinage of silver at the old ratio, was particularly objectionable to some perhaps a majority, at least to respect able minority of the democratic party, but in as much as it was adopted by the convention in complianca with demo- cratic usage, they readily authenticated their views to the will of the ma ajority. There were others, perhaps, just as con- scientious and patriotic who honestly be- lieved that the election of the republican nominee would better subserye the busi- ness interest of the country, and in order to defeat Bryan, they either voted direct 1y for Mckinley or Indirectly for Palmer nd Buel1ner. Now we contend that it is the height of illiberality to class the former as populsts or the latter as repub- . neans. Let us rather coneede that both factions were actuated by patriotic mo- tives. Evidently the national democratic convention had a perfect right to engraft in it's platOrm principles formerly ad- vocated by the populist party, if it be- leved that their esta blshment would bring prosperity to the country. and on the other hand recognizing the fact that this is "a free country any citizen has the undisputed right to exercise his fran chss according to his own conceptions of patriotic duty"
 The State Herald does not believe that tba,.a ir uan,,ipa orca ni1ad da,,,oorat in Alabama who believes the free coin- age of silver at the old ratio" was ab- jectionabe Ito possibly majority" of the democrats nor even to "a respectable minority" Nor do we believe there are any Simon pure, dyed in the wool demo- crats in the state who believed the cleo tion ofthe republican nominee would bet ter subserve the business interests of the country, and in. order to defeat Bryan they eithsr voted directly for Mckinley or, indirectly for Palmer and Buckner" |" Such an idea could only have it's coneep- tion in the brain of tha writer of such a charge, and is an insult to the democrats of Alabama.
 In that "this is a free country and "any citizen has the undisputed right to exercise his franchise according to his own conception of patriotic duty" .he Chronicle is eminently correct, but when he votes directly or indirectly against the nominees of his party he forfeits all claim of membership in that party and is hypocrite and deceiver when he lays claim to such membership under such conditions. "A citizen may be free man, but he can never be patriot unless he has the manhood to advocate his princi- pies over and above board and in the light and criticisms of his fellow citizens A freeman may shirk his duty and thrust his poisonous spear from the rear into the back of his friend and comrade; but patriot has confidence in his friends, dares to do right and fears to do wrong. "a noblemnne who meets his antagonist face to face in combat.
 The public will not be deceived by the position assumed by the Chronicle. While it is the hand of Esau, it is the voice of Jacob