The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-13
OPINIONS OF LEADING DEMOCRATS ON
ITS FUTURE COURSE
MUST ABANDON DEAD ISSUES
Villas Says Let the Party Turn From
Its Folly and Live-Hoke Smith OPP
2anize-Boies Says Drop Sixteen-to-
One-Carlisle Says Free Itself From
Demoralfzing Alliances Morgan
Says the Party Needs Fidelity to Its
Creed.

New Orleans. November S.-The New
Orleans Picayune sent telegraphic re-
quests to many leading democrats in
various sections of the country asking
expressions with reference to the future
Of the democratic party. The following
are extracts from some of the replies:
Hoke Smith. Atlanta. Ga, says: Il
doubt the a~dvisability of a distinct
movement by a few men with the pur-
pos OF reorganization. A party which
can poll h enormous vote that the
democratic party has recently polled is
far from being a dead party. More CON
sentative councils will prevail in flu
ture democratic conventions and with
a pronounced sound money platform in
1904 and with a man against whom no
factional fight can be made there is
every reason to believe the party will
triumph"
Horace Boies. Of Iowa, says: My
belief is We should drop 16 to 1. Let
the money question rest while condi-
tons remain as at present, organize
democratic clubs in every voting pre-
cinct to send delegates to the county,
" NOaAlNJ ~ AoN olio 34OLil olal0 l.
national conventions of delegates to
meet periodically and formulate a plat
form for the party. This should be
OF principles enunciated in our declara-
ton of independence. Insist on a
strict construction of the sole source
of legislative power in congress-, no sub
jugation of unwilling people by force;
expansion in everything that pertains
to peace; contraction IN everything
that pertains to unnecessary war; one
form of government for all. one flag, one
people with equal rights to all and a
special privilege to none"
William F. Villas. Wisconsin, said:
You cannot wisely operate on a pa
tient in utter collapse. When natural
revival ensues. if party conscience
comes back with returning vitality, the
way to democratic victory is as plain
as the path of honesty and fidelity.
Let democracy turn from it's folly and
live"
John G.. Carlisle. New York, says:
I'm order to achieve success or ito be-
come beneficial to the country is an OPP
position party, the democracy must
abandon all dead issues. tree itself from
all demoralizing alliance and return to
the true principles and policies of the
party. The new Questions precipitated
upon the country by the conduct of ths
present administration and the declar-
ationS of its supporters must be met
in a broad spirit of Justice and sincere
respect for the mandates of the consti-
tuition and the liberal principles upon
which our institutions are founded.
We lave drifted into a situation which
makes the correct solution of these
questions exceedingly difficult, and the
party should give them a most careful
consideration in all their aspects before
committing itself to any specific plan
80 TT-~- -
ciples involved there will be little diff
ference of opinions. but the measures
to be adopted in order to extricate the
country from it's present unfortunate
position cannot be hastily formulated
What plan shall be proposed for the
reorganization of the party in order
that it's real strength may be effective
ly eXerted is a question which it seems
to me ought to be considered n de-
cided by a conference composed of con-
sentative democrats representing both
elements of the party as it has exist
ed during the last four years. All are
equally interested in the success of the
party on a sound and patriotic platform
of principles. and. therefore. all should
be consulted boil as to the plan of re-
organization and policies to be an
nounced."
Senator John T.. Morgan. of Alabama
says: THE democratic party needs M
reconstruction. It needs fidelity ito it:
creed. which has stood for 100 years
At present it demands the payment b
h national debt n a return to thu
specie basis for banking. Tt demands
the restoration to the states of the ex'
elusive right to determine the qualifi.
cation of voters. 1t demands that al
federal taxation shall be equal and uni
form in places within the limits of thu
United States. 1t demands the sup
preston of trusts. especially the cor
| porations, in respect Of all articles o.
commerce that are subjects of inter
state and foreign mmerce If de
mocracy adheres ito these demands on
present defeat will be only temporary.