The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-06-30
NOBLESSE OBLIGE.

The democratic party did not have its
birth in q convention. 1t is the product
of evolution THE growth of ideas re-
garding individual responsibility toward
forms of government unyil they have crys-
tRlized IN body of principle. Prompt
lngs of ambition and hope of immediate
success may at times cause deviation from
these principles, but their abandonment
Is not possible until conception OF duty
no longer exists. Democracy is not con
servatlve as 1t Is the expression of ad
vanced thought in the line of privileges
surrendered by the individual for general
good, thus making the powers of govern
ment the voluntary contribution of those
who created 1t. system of government
IN harmony with the progress of the PEG
pie has the stability of principle though
II may change IN response to enlarged
conditions. The political party which
derives It's charter from the honest and
best impulse of the people. recognizes DO
declaration OF policy which Is not based
upon principle which is abiding True
1t Is, that party which Is ever intent
upon restoring to the individual, rights
he Submitted To the government, when
enlarged public intelligence makes such
restitution safe and proper, is apt to err
at times. But 1t is failing which leans
to virtues side"
The hest intentions cannot exclude
error 70 persist in 1t from passion or
vlndctlve spirit Is TO discard democracy.
Democracy Is To popular government
what christianity is to civlllzation,-th
best expression of intelligent recognition
OF pure ideals. Those who are democrats
cannot escape from allegiance TO .h,s feel,
ing. Conscience drives honest people INTO
party affiliations. They cannot he held
To party bv devotion 10 individuals.
CONVICTION must have deeper root than
can be found IN the soil of mans ambI-
ton. One mnst trace in party action
close relation to party principle or he be-
comes indifferent, ana indifference In fol
lowers is poor guaranty of success.
Reflection has brought to many demo
Gratis intense dissatisfaction with the
Chicago platform, because of its depar-
ture from the faith In which they were
taught to believe. They gave In their
adherence because regularity compeIs
obedience when the right to question is
not exercised. II the Chicago platform
Is the expression of democratic doctrine
it should not he lightly discarded, not
even though Its emphatic reassertlon
should bring repeated defeat. something
Il Is sure TO do Bnt the evolution of
democratic principle though thes slow but
perfect process of experience, whose
fruits have been Intelligently garnered
hy CONSCIENTIOUS statesman, men of lofty
purpose and broad humanity, Is against,
the acceptance OF the utterance OF 1896
The reluctance of men who gave tarfiy
and unwilling obedience to it proves. if not
lis spurious character, departure SO
radical that discipline had to be used To
make II palatable. The sober second
thought Of the people is against 1t. Even
those II this state who profess devotion.
owe their hiking more to resentment to-
ward those who refused the decoction than
to any flavor IN 1t that is pleasing They
dram the nasty cup because the sight
produces nausea IN those they have been
pleased 20 dub traitors
Wisconsin is IN no way responsible for
the Chicago platform. Wisconsin demo
Gratis fought against it aud those who ac-
cepted 1t did 50 only at the bahest of :,
national convention whose demands they