The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-06
D MAKE / A WINNER
Statehood Tactics of a Noted
ID" County Citizen.
WELD THEBEST ELEMENTS
And Elect a Republican Dele
gate, to Start With.
WELD THEBEST ELEMENTS


a very important period in the history
of Oklahoma. The late conventions of
all parties at Kingfsher. o. T, have re-
solved, THAT Oklahoma territory Is now
ready to enter upon a statehood exist
ence."
As Oklahoma has been the last of the
great public domain to be settled, it will
be the last. or among the last, of the
territories to reach statehood. Statehood
for Oklahoma should be the apex, the
acme, the browning glory Of organized
statehood. It's constitution should reflect
the most profound thought yet given up
on the formation Of government Of,
by and FOR the people.
This can only be accomplished by bring
ing forward the most intelligent and ex-
perienced men that the territory affords
Fear has been expressed, and it is we'll
grounded, that should there be selected
the same class Of men TO form constitu-
ton that have been selected to fill impor-
tant places in the past, tbs constitution
they would form, the legislation they
would enact, would receive throughout
the United States the condemnation Of
every statesman, and in the end must
fail to receive the appreciation Of the
powers at the general seat of government
The object of this paper is to point out
the way by which the intelligence found
everywhere throughout the territory can
be brought to aid in forming constitu-
ton, and creating a code Of laws, for
the new state of Oklahoma.
The highest and best intelligence in
the territory is to be found in the Re-
publican and Democratic parties. There
has come from the north into Oklahoma
the best intelligence found in the Repub-
Iican party-that party in the north which
contains the best intelligence. There has
come from the south the best intelligence
found in the Democratic party-the party
in the south which contains the best in
telligence.
The difference between these two great
opposing parties has, in a measure. been
swept away. The difference that remains
Is as to methods. Each has We'd with
the other in their loyalty to the general
government and in the prosperity Of the
states which each party has ruled. a
common respect exists between them.
Each recognizes in the other a "foeman
worthy of his steeel" What a grand
theme for the future historian should the
members Of these two great parties meet
ing on common ground between the north
and the south. unite in one party to give
Oklahoma a government worthy the time,
place and opportunity now offered.
The failure of the Democratic party
. when in power under President Clevelaue
10 give national legislation which should
have increased the prosperity of the peo-
pie, looseped the hold that party ties had
upon many Democrats. The campaign
of 1896 found that great party broken
into two hostile camps, and the sound
money camp, in which was found the
brains and the wealth Of the Democratic
party. did aid in the election Of William
Mckinley, the nominee Of the Republican
party.
The prosperous. intelligent Democrats
of Oklahoma, Ike their friends in the
sound money camp have more confidence
in the Republican party TO create that leg
islation which will insure 70 the people
prosperity than they have in their own,
or in any other party. They fully realize
that should Oklahoma go 10 proper state
hood. there must be a combination of
the intelligence of the two parties. This
can only be done by the individual Demo-
crat coming into the Republican camp
and becoming a member of the Republic
an party. This step should be taken
early, that they may attend the first
primaries and assist to select delegates 10
the congressional convention.
Statehood must come, IL 1t comes at ALL
through the Republican party. The judi
cious selection OF an able Repu blican, and
his election, VIII he the first step that
will take US toward statehood At that
election a Republican territorial legIsla-
tor must also be returned, and county
tickets as far as possible should be Re
publican. This will give the powers that
be, az Washington. which Is sound money
and Republican. the assurance that Ok
lahoma when it becomes a state will send
two sound money Republican senators.
Under these conditions it VIII be no
trouble for our congressman at the next
session 10 secure an enabling act for Ok
lahoma TO so TO statehood.
Then will come the very important cleo
tion of members to the constitutional con-
vention. These are the men that must
show that high standard Of intelligence
which will enable them TO give us a con-
stitution that Will receive the commenda-
ton of the statesmen OF the nation. and
viii not be a byword and a reproach
among all lovers Of good government.
In portions Of Oklahoma, especially
those parts that were settled mostly
from the south. and include the southern
and western borders. that intelligence
must come through men who. their lives
long. have been Democrats but have
come 10 the Republican party that the
Intelligence of the country may rule its
public affairs.
The Democrat who comes 20 the Repub-
lican camp now comes at a time when MS
party organization is partially dissolved
So far as being a party in Oklahoma. i;
no longer exists. and this element mus,
60 somewhere. Better TO 90 OF its own
choosing than TO be transferred Ike cattle
20 the Pop party,
The convention across the way from
the Republican convention al Kinghshel
called itself and was referred TO BY the
papers and others. as the free silver con
vention. Neither the Democratic part,
nor the Popuist party was given recogni-
tion as being present. In the Language
OF one high in the councils OF that con
vention. "Our object is TO consolidate TIT
free silver sentiment OF ali the pa-tie:
in Oklahoma into 8 free silver party
II the Democrats go into free silver
party you will ind that il is only an.