The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-07-13

IT is evident to every one having the
power of observation that the silver
forces throughout the United States are
perfecting their organization with a de-
gree of thoroughness never before ex-
hibited in preliminary proceedings Inc
situation is unique. Heretofore party
organization has been used TO discipline
forces for the contest at the polls, and
the national convention has always been
deemed an important factor, but never
a contamination. Bryans advent as a
leader has done what consuming ambl-
ton for personal advancement has never
| failed to do. diverted means from It's
legitimate purpose to make It a TRIUMPH
| for an individual who has blighted party
allegiance by the projection OF his own
! identity.
| The National Democratic Committee
has limited its activities to securing CON
troll OF the convention of 1900 IN the IN
! forests OF one man and to make para
mopnt defunct issue so as to vlndlcate
mistal en- act on in 1896. The party is com
manded by those in authority 10 sacrlhce
every chance for success so that false
pride NAV escape fall and unwise lead
ersbin rebuke The embalmed beef Is
sued AS rations TO democrats in 1896 must
be pronounced good in 1900, SO that the
packers of canned political ideas may es-
cane the implied ceusure of REM 1,.atlon,
aud the wili-of- wisp VINO led us into
the morasses may still be regarded as the
pillar of fire leading Alright to the prom
ised land
Petulance is poor spirit III winch 10
re- |
trivial circumstances into important Is
sues and wastes strength III petty aus
putes It never looks beyond the occa-
sion which gave it origin, and deems lts
work accomplished when spite Is gratl-
fed. There is not condition exlsteht
today which makes for the free coinage
of silver. 1t finds support only IN peev-
ish disinclination TO rectity mistake
because of the confession OF error lnVoiV
ed and it would be cOnceding as sound
the position taken by those who refused
TO subscribe to u vagary, whose non
conformity is the more censurable pc
cause events have proved its wisdom
fractional $, irit often supersedes 10y
atty TO a cause and 1t Is often persisted
in until reverses sustained III connect
with the real enemy end in destruction
There are ALWAYS so-called leaders IL IN
tesnecine strife who are so Jealous OF
their position which might be endanger-
ed bv concert of action, that their inilu-
ence is always in the direction of pre-
venting adjustment or united actlon
against the common enemy The man
who leads a faction, the man who causes
fractional differences, promotes or ap-
proves them, or who is opposed to CON
ciliatation by return to principles upon
which the party organization Is based
and on which its victories were won, Is
lacking in the elements of real leadership |
and is false TO the interests OF the party |
which he processes to serve.
The ambition of no man is supreme 10
the success of the party III contest Tor
its principles. There are men with souls
sufficiently great to sacrifice personal !
TO secure the triumph OF |
traditional principles based upon recog- |
milton of individual rights. Such men |
are not fomenters of discord, nor are |
they seeking the questionable renown OF |
shaping events to make them subsidiary |
to their own success They have the |
of lofty purpose which pre-
cludes their confounding what Is person |
al TO them with what is advantageous TO |
the party.
Bryan has conducted a campaign in
his own interests as nominee of the
party, and has had the party organiza-
ton assuming the attitude of a devoted
henchman, bureau devoted to his inter
ests, wholly unmindful of party success
unless with him rs beneficiary. We
have Bryan leagues superseding demo
cratic clubs and hero worship usrrpi2g
the place of party loyalty. 1t is form
of theocracy having n mortal Invested
with divine attributes in whose honor
sacrifice, even, is not to be withheld
Why should Bryan be the focus of ev-
9 v lens? We invite disaster by submit
ting to his ambition and merit obloquy
by yielding to his dictation. Let us be
democrats and not lackeys men and not
fetch worshipers,