The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-15
POSTMASTER BARTON.
He Reviews Briefly the New and
Vigorous City Organization.

Vigorous City Organization.
Friends and Citizens: You have gathered
around these banquet tables tonight under
the auspices of the Democratic city and
county organizations of Ramsey county for
the purpose of increasing the sociability eX-
listing among the members of our organiza-
ton, and our party in general and of learn
ing more of the principles of the party, and
of the political issues which We have to
deal with.
And; in so stating what we have gathered
here for tonight, l but state some of the
purposes for which the organization has been
established.
The coming of the secret ballot has made
II necessary to carry on political work in a
different way from what it used to be.
The education of the voter is now nee
essary: he makes up his mind and casts
his ballot in secret, and his mind must now
be guided in place of his hand.
To do this you must educate him, and
this is the first primary purpose of our Or
ganiZation.
But We cannot stop with education alone
We must create an activity among the mem
bers of our party, which will bring them
into line, cement them together add new
recruits thereto. see that there no stay
at-homes, and that every man of lawful age
who can be influenced to cast his vote with
us is qualified to vote.
This is the active portion OF the work
which it is the purpose of our organization
TO do.
1t is not a primary object of our organiza-
forms.
Platforms may err, but the underlying
principles of Democracy fail not, and, there
fore. though the platform be not framed to
our liking, our duty still remains to sup
port the party. And, my friends l believe
We have arrived upon that political stage
which makes it now the duty of every man
who has in rec&t years been willing to ally
himself with our party for special reasons
to now adopt our name; you believe in our
CHIEF principles. and you oppose those of
10 h Iin1
possibility of any other party acquiring con-
troll of the gov eminent, if you fail to sup
port our party you must thereby necessarily
be opposing 1t.
Through our organization we hone to re-
move all side issues, and get all our friends
into line as active workers for Democracy.
IL is the pledged duty of every member
ana o1Hcer OF our organization to assist in
the election of every Democrat who is NOM
mated for any office by the Democratic party
whether city, county. state or national, and
same nominated.
This may impress you as too strong but
We believe 1t is not, and that 1t Is the basis
upon which must get sooner or later if
we are to successfully meet the all-impor-
tant questions that exist and are arising
for determination.
You may say. well, in local affairs con-
Venuons don't always put up good men and
you should not be required to vote for a
poor one. The time to settle that question
Is at and prior to the time of holding a
ments are usually the ones who take no in
terest whatever in political convention
While, as have said, it is not the primary
object OF our organization to nominate tick
cts nor TO frame platforms; nevertheless. it
must be seen that in doing work for which
It is primarily formed, the organization will
have a most powerful and potent influence
In the nomination of tickets and in the franz
ing of platforms, for we will spread the true
principles OF Democracy and they will ripen
INTO platforms and to secure general activ-
ity among the members of our party is to
secure the nomination of better local tickets.
BY carrying out these purposes and per
forming our duties we will greatly improve
the moral condition of politics The CRATER
VIII find but one harvest field, and that in
the Republican party, and the dishonest Of
ice seekers will have to find a new occupa-
tiop.
These results constitute the height of our
ambitions, and you say we cannot achieve
the same, but to so state you but state what
may be said about all desired results of
every kind; but that is no reason whv we
should not try, and by trying even though
we do not reach the top of the ladder in our
ambitions, We will achieve much success and
DO great good. And it is a work that we