The times., 1899-06-29
THuRspAY. JuNE @. lsgg.
For an EnrIy Camnaign.

BY authority of Chairman Jones, former
Governor Stone of Missouri has called a
meeting of the Democratic National Com
mittee at Chicago July 20. While Chair
man Jones is in Europe, Governor Stone,
by force of circumstance and character. is
acting chairman OF the committee
No public announcement OF the aim or
purpose OF the proposed meeting has been
made. It is hoped, however. by every
Democrat of good sense that the meeting
has been called mainly for one purpose.
and that purpose the early Inauguration
of TIE work of thorough and Intelligent
party organization for the conflict of 1900
The spirit of organization and co-opera-
tion has never been over rife in the Dem
ocratie party. For lack OF it the party has
suffered defeat at the polls in more than
one national election during the life of
the present generation of voters. If,
therefore, the committee at its forthcom-
ing meeting al Chicago blocks out a COM
plete and comprehensive plan of organ
lied effort looking 10 the campaign Of
next year and deyises a systematized
scheme of work sufficiently virile to
arouse party enthusiasm and party activ-
ity all over the nation IT VIII perform a
service entitling the projectors to the
gratitude OF every Democrat in the coun-
try.
1t is none too soon for Democrats
everywhere to begin actively, earnestly,
and intelligently the work before them
in 1900. The Republican organization is
ho
ever constructed in this country for ma
tional purposes. It is air-triggered and
splendidly equipped. So well construct
ed so closely knit is ii that it even does
not now require the trained and expert
hand Of constituencies and powerful
Hanna to run it. 1t can run itself In
fact. at this very moment 1t is in active
operation. even though its mighty head
is three thousand miles away in Europe.
While, from the very nature of things.
we cannot look for such perfect, self
acting machine in the Democratic party.
yet it is sincerely TO be hoped that plan
OF thorough organization embracing the
entire nation-reaching out into the re-
motest nooks and corners OF the continent
and Tamifying every interest of the coun-
try that is opposed TO political corrup-
tion in government-wiI be devised at
Chicago next month. This can and must
be done. There is enough constructive
ability in the committee to do it. There
is an abundance of administrative capaeity
in the party to execute the details of such
scheme and incite party spirit into en-
ergetic activity. All the materials for an
energetic and relentless campaign of edu-
cation, to be Immediately inaugurated, are
ready at hand.
We believe the members OF the
National Committee appreciate the press
ing need Of an early campaign Of
education-such an one as has never
before been undertaken by the party. We
also hope and believe that. the committee
fully understands its functions These
functions do not embrace the power or
privilege OF platform making. That is re-
served exclusively for the national con-
yention. Therefore. we indulge the hope
that at its forthcoming meeting the COM
mittee will not feel called upon to enun-
ciate any new principles for the party
nor to rip one splinter from the platform
upon which the party now stands.