Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-24
Plarlorm. ana canaldate..

The Delawarean, in the course OF an
editorial expounded upon the text Of
William J. Bryan's recent declaration
that 1.-THE platform should fit the
party and the candidate should fit the
platform, says:
with all due respect to the man.
hood and honesty to be found in the
Republican party of the State, it is
fact patent even to the better element
of that party, that there has crept into
the politics of this State through their
party an enemy that has insidiously
Slapped the vitality and the manhood Of
Delaware'S citizenship, and bound the
franchise of hundreds of voters with
the bonds of serfdom. Men who have
regard for the honor of this grand little
commonwealth of ours have watched
the insidious growth of this noxious,
poisonous weed. Every effort has been
put forth during the last several cam
paigns to uproot it, to check its
growth, but these efforts thus far have
In measure failed, and with reason.
This reason plainly has been that the
opposition to it has at no period in the
battle presented united front.
THE recognized foe of this enemy to
our States manhood is admittedly the
Democratic party. The burden of its
uprooting and eradication rests upon
that party and must there rest until
the task is consummated. Time and
again has the Democracy of the State
arrayed itself against this enemy of
pure citizenship and, with blushing
shame it must BIO admitted, that the
disgraceful record of even our latest
General Assembly session proves that
the il-omened, deadly virus still
poisons our States vitais.
Naturally the question forces itself
upon us, why is it: Why has not the
Democratic party with all its strength,
with all its sense of right, with its
nobility of motive appealing TO every
thing that is manly and noble in our
citizenship, with, finally, its glorious
record to aid it, been unable thus far
to successfully combat this foe?
There must be cause. There is n
cause. The Democratic party has not
thrown its magnificent strength in
solid phalanx against this foe. Until
this is done failure must ever result.
To insure this. to perfect, discipline,
organize and systemize the Democratic
forces for the campaign whose thresh-
hold We are nearing,is the task plainly
marked out for the leaders Of the
Democratic party. Political campaigns
TO be successful need careful planning
Issues are to be discussed and will be-,
and probable candidates will also be
discussed. The sentence quoted above
is applicable here, right here in Della.
ware in no place, more so. 1t is
opportune; the lesson it conveys must
come home to every Democrat in the
State. 1t should occupy prominent
place in all the discussions of our party
from now on till the next Democratic
State convention Of Delaware assem-.
bles
''Delaware's State platform must b.
true, clean, upright. Candidates fol
all offices must be sought to fit JUS
this measure. This accomplished.
united party follows naturally, ant
victory sure and certain must then b.
ours.''
The sermon is sound; the doctrin
undeniable.
If the Delaware Democrats, mex
year, will enunciate a platform to Fl
the Democratic party, and nominal
candidates to fit this Democratic Flat
form, they will again be victorious, a
in the real Democratic days of th
EAST.