Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-11-16
Mr.. Abbot on Reorganization.

Mr.. Abbot on Reorganization"
Ho1. Willis j. Abbot, who during
the campaign just closed was chief OF
the press bureau of the democratic
national committee, has addressed to
the Chicago Times-Herald a timely
and most effective reply to the propo-
sition, made by men who deserted it
in 1896 and have since fought its prin-
ciples and its candidates, to ''reorgan-
ize" the democratic party. AS Mr..
Abbott, who is distinguished as a
journalist and publicist points out,
plutocracy has acquired full control
of the republican party, and it is now
seeking, through the reorganization
scheme, to obtain controlo OF the demo-
cratic. In his splendid letter Mr.. Alb
bot goes to the marrow Of the ques-
ton, and translates into clear and
vigorous language the sentiments of
every democrat who is such because
of his devotion to fundamental prin-
ciples and not merely because he as
pires to place or power. The latter is
such truthful and striking reveld-
ton of the attempt of privilege and
monopoly to acquire control of the
party machinery with the view of de-
priving the people of the means of de-
stroying the economic and industrial
evils of which, consciously or uncon-
sciously, they are victims, that no eX-
cuse is needed for here reproducing it.
Every democrat should read and weigh
it. Mr.. Abbot says:
"Swift upon the heels of the defeat
of the democratic party in the nation
comes the intelligence that the men
who helped to defeat it are about to
call conference in the city of New
York to the end that the party which
they deserted and betrayed may be
sreorganized' SO as to put them in
control.
ssThis is much as if Benedict Arnold
had successfully delivered West Point
over into the hands of the British and
then offered himself to lead the colon
ial armies in place George Washing
ton.
REORGANIZATION of the pemocratic
party under the leadership of the men
who are now thrusting themselves for
ward, as though divinely appointed,
would mean the elimination from that |
party of all the fundamental princi-
pies of real democracy. We have had
democratic party controlled by gen.
tlemen like Don M. Dickinson, J.
Sterling Morton, Daniel S. Lamont,
e. G. Benedict, Grover Cleveland and
their sort, and their party was so lit
tie different from the republican party
nopolists and the pMtocrats wnecFar
republicans or so-called democrats
were in power at Washington.
'Shall we recur to that condition?
Are the democratic masses who found
in the Chicago convention of 1896 their
first opportunity to express their will
and enunciate their principles unham-
pered by the DONNA ton of aristocracy
and of wealth to be gagged, crushed,
deprived of any part in the govern
ment of the republic beyond that
which might be played by dumb oxer
who respond to the goad?
ut is incredible. 1t is unbelievable
Impossible. The handful of men who
are going to meet in New York to set
tie the destinies of great party have
overlooked the fact that not six men
or sixty men can control the demo
cratic masses. Unlike the republican
party, the democratic party is not
bossed. In one or two big cities some
man by superior political skill has
seized upon the nom Mating machinery
and is able to nominate mayor and
aldermen and even congressman at his
Will, but these men are only small
part of the great democratic organiza-
zion. The reason why the democratic
party has held to the positions it as
sumed in 1896 and in 1900 is because
the voters, the plain people, the work.
ingman and the farmer, were for the
first time since Andrew Jackson's day
encouraged and aided to assume charge
or the democratic organization. If the
party is to be reorganized as num-
Der OF millionaire newspaper owners
insist 1T must, then those who desire
to reorganize it will do well to consult
the people instead of getting together
q half-dozen notdbilities in gorgeous
room at the Waldorf-Astoria. If the
people, the men of the workshop anc
OF the farm, say that new principles
must be adopted, that the old charter
OF democracy must be abandoned that
the Declaration of Independence ano
the constitution shall no longer furn
ish the guide for the party, then the
leaders must abide by their will, but
the decision will rest with the people
not with the so-called leaders, whether
the latter seek to lead along the patti
democracy has followed for the las
six years or whether they strive t.
turn the democratic army aside into
by path.
sit is nota question of leadership
but question of principle. The mer
who announce that they will meet al