The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-12-06
The PARTY and It's POLICY,

EQltOr RlcndTQ W. hHOlt, OI he -Ou-
isville Post returns to the discussion OF
democratic policy with great vigor, but
still with the positive bias that might
be expected from a distinguished editor
who was not in sympathy with the move
ment TO make the democratic platform
what it is, and hence, who does not
speak from the attitude of friend OF
that instrument. We do not make this
statement for the purpose of animad-
verting on our friends recent position.
party regularity, and is presumably will
ing to permit the majority of the party
to decide the policy he is to pursue
hereafter. That is sufficient for us.
At the same time our readers will be
better able to understand the nature and
purpose of those who now x4sh to side
track the party's national platform
when they know that those most promi-
nelt IN the movement were foremost in
antagOnizing the party in 1896
Mr.. Knott bases his editorial on some
recent remarks made by The Constitu-
is to be made TO permit the gold men to
write the party platform as the price OF
their support. We put the matter plain
ly because there is no need OF mincing
words in describing it. Moreover, we
print Mr.. Knots remarks in full, so
that our readers may be able to under
stand clearly the nature of the PROPOSE
ton that the gold democrats are bring
ing forward.
The very first sentence in Mr. Knott's
article challenges attention. "OrgaDized
parties fight to win" That is true. but
it is just half the truth. Organized
parties fight to win for what? They
must have a purpose in winning. 1t is
not the end and aim Of organized par
ties to win merely that the leaders and
party workers may enjoy the spoils of
victory. The very existence of a party
organization depends on higher mo-
tive than that y party organization
is only possible where a body OF men
unite in agreeing on the efficacy Of Ger
tain principles Of government as opposed
pies. Organized parties fight to win be-
cause those who act with these par
ties Believe that the principles on which
they are based will benefit the people
and advance the best interests of the
nnhlic Otherwise nariy has no ey-
cnse for it's existence ana IN fact could
not exist
So far as the true policy Of the dem
ocratic D0rtv is concerned there is no
ouesticn whichever of an alignment" 0f
the eoufh with the west against the east
ar with The east AGAINST the west The
democratic marty is not p sectional mr.
" at all II has never ,leDauded on
ecclionalism. bu, has ALWAYS. everywhere
and ar all times. whenever il had The
onDGrlunitv, stood for those DrincipIes
of government and those nolicies Of adj.
minf8trattou calculated to promote the
greatest good Of all the people without
regard to geographical. sectional or po~
!itical lines.
The south is democratic. not because
its people are opposed to the interests
OF the ease or west. but because its pe0.
pie believe that democratic principles
and policies will be best for The whole
country. But if we are to narrow the
matter down to question of sectional
ism, then the democratic party, owing to
conditions which are too well known Ia
need dissertations must take care of it..
self II can DO this only bv remaining
true TO democratic principles. Popu-
Iism. which Nj. Knott regards as such
a bugah0o was the direct result Of the
policy which led the southern democrat
10 leaders 10 defer 10 the wishes of dem
ocrats from 1epnbIican states in making
the national platforms. They deferred
in order to "win;" they consented To
accom- straddline and cvasfya platforms
in order 70 win" and The poIicy was
On disaus+jro In tho averapn yotar that
. third nartv arose in tho south and