Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-09-14
Demooratic lJnItv.

| The New York Journal addressed the
following inquiry to several prominent
Democrats recently, and among the replies
that OF ex-Goy William j. Stone, of Mo-,
who is also acting chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee, to our mind is
complete and convincing. The Journal
asked -;
In view of the increasing dissatisfaction
with the course of the administration, it is
evident that the Democratic party has an
excellent chance of winning the next
national election If it can only be united.
Will you kindly tell the Journal whether,
in Your opinion. it is possible for all woo
formerly acted with the Democracy to be
brought together again. aud if so, what are
the best means to accomplish that end
What concession can the dominant ele-
ment in the party honorably make, and
what can the dlsaffected one accept? What
should be the first steps toward recon-
ciliation? What position should be given
to the issue of 1896 in the campaign, what
new ones, if any, should be added, and
which ones should be placed at the front
In brief, what, III your opinion, would he
the best way to bring about party harmony
and united action during the campaign ?"
VIM. J. STONES REPLY.
w. r. HEARsT-Dear Sir have your
favor of August 10, in which you express
the confident belief that the Democratic
party can win at the election next year if
1t can be united, and you ask me to state
whether / believe it is possible to bring
about union of all those who formerly
acted with Democracy" and you also ask
What concessions can the dominant ele-
ment in the party honorably make, and
what can be dlsaffected ones accept
1t goes without saying that the active
and sincere support of the party candidates
by all Democrats Is greatly TO be desired
the withdrawal of the support at any time
is always to be regretted. La 1886 large
number of Democrats, particularly in the
Eastern States, refused to support the
national ticket because they objected to
some part or parts of the platform. | would
be glad to see all SUI b return to the Demo
cratic fold and support the ticket next
year. This would like to see done with
out any sackcloth and ashes performance,
and also without Strengthening any fatted
calves or putting on any gold rings The
door is open, and all any Democrat has to
do is to walk in and take his seat. l think
every man who means to give the party a
loyal support will be warmly welcomed.
That covers the whole subject of harmony
and union. What more can be asked
II IS difficult to answer your questions as
to what concessions can be granted by the
dominant element, or what can be accepted
by the disaffected ones. There is no oc-
casiOn, 1t seems to me, for raising any such
question. The Democratic party will not
husband its organization or abandon Demo
eractic principles 10 please any person or
number of persons, The platform will be
made and the candidates nominated in the
usual way. Each delegation will voice its
own sentiments and those of its constit-
uency. Outside of the committee on
resolutions and the national convention
know of no one who is authorized to pro-
pose or accept concessions. All | can say
60 Democrats anywhere is to get into line,
attend local conventions, so that the strong
men Of the party in ali the States may be
appointed as delegates to the national con-
Vention. Let every one do what he can to
secure thoroughly representative national
convention, with full understanding that
the action of the convention is to be after
ward supported Somebody once said that
the only way TO resume specie payments
was to resume; and in like spirit / say the
only way TO harmonic is to harmonize |
Dlckering is out of the question.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM j. STONE.
St Louis, August % 1899.