The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-07-27
MR. TOOHEYS LETTER

JOHN TOOHEY of Milwaukee addresses
an open letter through The milwaukee,
News to che Editor Of The Pilot, discuss
ing certain criticisms offered by this pa
per on the organization Of "a Bryan Club
| in Milwaukee of which Mr.. TOoh"y Is
prominent member and in the creation
of which he was an important factor
1t was not the organization of Bry-
al club. per Sc. which was commented
upon in terms of reprobation, but the OBJ
iect which il was 10 accomplish under
the auspices of the democratic party.
No one can question the right Of lndl-
vidual members of a party 10 organize
in behalf of Il certain line of policy to
which they wish to commit the party,
or in the interests Of an individual whose
personal deserving is deemed paramount
to all considerations of party integrity
or of party success when in conflict with
his desires. individuals may have char
ter broad as the wind 10 assemble and
constitute themselves pledged partlsans
of an office seeker and members OF an
organization to spread the gospel OF the
divinity of ratio But they should not
steal the livery of democracy to serve "a
purpose contrary to its spirit and foreign
to its practice. Bryan and democracy
are not SYNONYMOUS terms. II is'a far
cry from Jefferson to Bryan and yet the
name of jefferson was never yet used III
preference to the word democrat as ex-
pressive of principles of government
which should obtain III Il popular form
The Bryan Club places the Bryan banner
above the democratic flag and asks the
democracy of the state to serve under
the flag at the head because it symbolizes
more than doe. the flag it surmounts.
We are To do this at the behest of the
Bryan Club Of Milwaukee whose lineal
descent from Bryan is readily traced.
AR. Toohey fresh from the counsels of
the republican party, with more of the
zeal Of recent conversion than the spirit
of democracy governing him, Is the Elk
ponent of the principles which we are
to accept rs genuine, and to question
which is to invite political exec mmuli-
cation. In this respect he is i'll harmony
with his chief who came to the party
with its blood upon his hands and the
populist stiletto but partially sheathed.
Did the democratic convention enun-
cate new doctrines in 1896? If not why
did not the hegira from the ranks Of the
republican party take place earlier!
Why did not the populists discover ear
Her, the affinity which drew them then
so strongly to democracy that transmi-
grafton was instantly effected and indi-
ridual existence voluntarily surrender
ady 1t was not democracy which at
tracted either because democracy had
been, and was repellent to the ideas
which found not only welcome in 1896,
but acceptance.
The Chicago convention was not demo
cratic. The campaign which followed
~ conducted by those supporting the
platform and nominees of that conven-
non was not fought on democratic lines
The populists did not find it necessary to
greatly modify the arguments they had
used for years and democrats spoke III
he accent of the populistic tongue. The
.old democrats preserved the principles
of the party, They We're not numerous
because deprived of the organization
which is the symbol Of authority. But
The little Mucio dribhing TO the Pc
Beats all the ethics of the Hoang Ho"
They were the custodians of democratic
doctrine They ask now II return to
democratic principles and are ready and
willing to aid in securing democratic
triumph. satisfied with victory without
share III the spoils.
Mr. Toohey is not happy in his at
tempt to show dissimilarity in the action
of republicans who quit their party and
that of democrats who by refusing to
support Bryan are classed as allies
of the republican party, The contrast
would be more clearly outlined If in
stead of saying the republicans who sup
ported Bryan are not debating to the
republicans who supported the st, Louis
platform what they shall put in their
next platform, he had said the demo
Gratis whom he classes as allies of the
republicans are not debating what the re-
publican platform shall contain. The diff
ference in the attitude of the recalcitrants
Is quite marked i'll this respect and shows
lack of similitude much more readily.
THE condition of politics in Kentucky
is not such rs to give responsibility to