The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-26


is mot the wiscst or the most popular
policy in building new navy.
HONESTY WAS THE BEST POLICY.
| There IL an expression In the quotation
published In yesterdays Post from Hon.
| Waller Bakers letter to Mr.. Matlock In
| 1894, that Is worthy of special consideration
jnst at this time when the democratic test
adopted at Dallas is being generally dis
cussed.
Mr.. Baker remarked that "accessIons 10
the party strength In the primaries are
not 80 Important as in the general election
TO follow" He might have added, TOO. that
a party does not usually look FOR recruits
In the primaries. but rather after tho party
has announced It's principles and the meas
ures II will champion ami hrs presented It's
nominees to public consideration.
Until this has been done. the voter. who
Is honestly seeking 10 align himself with
n party meeting his views. can not IN the
very nature OF things. determine which or
realization md whose candidates will best
fili the requirements OF his political faith
1t is the province. therefore. AZ the regular
and loyal members OF n rnrty 10 frame its
MA. Perm and auuounco ;,e candidates ,,J
then appeal TO the general public for sup
rort
Recruits are obtained IN proportion us
the unattached vote, SO TO spcak Endorses
tho ennnration Of PRINCIPLES aud hrs faitS
in TIE nominees. All ,hIs expression of
alarm, therefore In some quarters that the
cemoeratic test has closed the door,
against "accoEslons TO The party strength :"
Is purely Imaginary and is entertained I'M
der misrepresentation as to tho manner
AMI tImo In which political Dartys
strength Is recruited.
The accessions come after q pqrty has
been courageous and honest and indcprnl-
Ont enough to protect iis orsanzaiou and
It's PRINCIPLES in thu primaries and In the
I conventions md not before.
Even the most thoughloss. therefore
must Mt once recognize how important it {,
for party 10 be true to itself If It would
win to It's ranks those who may b. seeking
now party association or nrc waverlnr in
their falth TO teu,porise, to compromise.
TO invite mon of all shades OF conviction
and of varied degrees Of loyalty, bo,tcrs
as Vol as regulars, to come In and aid IN
framing hotchnotch platform saying
everything ard meaning nothing to
throw down the hars." In q word--nnd
nominate men who could not bc de-
pended on ia support n single party de-
clnration with enthusiasm or fdeliy-,his
would hut excite popular contempt AID
lead to party suicide
Under such considerations tho action
Mt Dallas hy the democratic State commit
tee WAS rot only right aud proper hut II
was, without being specially 50 Intended,
an net Of tho highest and best party policy.
J, was a declaration TO the public that the
democracy Of Texas is for principle above
eNpcdiency md that IT ls sufficiently fear
less and loyal TO It's tenets to guard It's
organization from influences, In its cnun-
ellis and IN the announcements of its
faith and stardard-hearcrs that would
work 10 the d'sipteSration of the party
II any course b. calculated to draw to
the democracy tho honest voters Of the
state who admire TIE courage of conviction
ard stapd for bimctallism, ard in opoosl.
ton 10 the trusts and syndcatrs thar 40
rohbng the people the action Of the dem
ocratio committee at Dallas must strlklngl-
accomplish that fact. by commondlng Itself
to The approval of good men in every see
tion Of Texas who desire to become DEM
oera,s on principle.
sNi M ,vI,x.p 49,, 49,,