The sun., 1901-04-27
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1901.
AN EQUAL RIGHTS DEMOCRACY,

AN EQUAL RIGHTS DEMOCRACY.
The Democratic League of tins city,
in its fight for Councilman Smiths scalp
has advanced IN idea in politics that.
in application would defeat and pfac'i-
colly destroy the Delaware Democratie
Equal rights to all; spe-
,.i,l privileges to none, which the league |
quotes in its resolutions of protest
against the appointment of Smith to the
office of Street Supervisor, if applied III
It's broad sense-meaning all the citl-
zrls-- would, long ago. have sent the
Democratic party of this city and state
into the land of patient waiting where
Democratic aspirants for Office Apply %
civil service commissions.
Welcoming tese grntlemen-the Dem
ocrotic Leagucrs--into the field Of liberal
politics. wo suggest the principle oi
equality Of which Thomas Jefferson was
the early and distinguished advocate, IN
cllded sall men," There is no room
for race preiuaices i'll his declaration ol
flat theory. Again i'll his negative eN-
prcssion Of the same theory: Special
privileges for none" was not conlned'
rs in the modern Democracy. to ohJec
tious 10 the tariff theory i'll political
economy. On the contrary the idea he
expressed is basic, and does not mean
simply rotation in Office for Democrats.
1t does not mean equal rights for Demo
Gratis III opposition to and destructive 81
the rights Of Republicans; nor does i
mean equal rights for white men, IL
the denial Of any political rights to black
men. Ii does not mean that 1,260 voters
III one Senatorial district of this county
should have the same voice in State legis
latiou aS 5.O50 voters OF another Senl
toral district of the same county-tha
one man in one part Of the same count.
should have as much political powe
in State affairs as four men have III all
other part Of it. The theory Of equal pt
litical rights cNpounded by Jefferson
does not mean that voters i'll Demt
cratic sections Of this city should hay
double. or quadrupe the power in cit
government that voters have in Republ
can sections Of the city. Delaware Den
ocrats. of whom these leaguers are
part. have, however. applied an interpr,
tation Of the Jeffersonian equal right
theory, that has produced all these il
euualties among supposedly equal cit
zens.
The Democratic League, therefore,
il is sincere has announced reyontiC
in the Democratic politics of Delawar
Sincere advocacy Of tn new theory, ne
in sincere Democratic advocacy of it W
make il obligatory upon the Democrat
League to oppose the continuance
every legislative act establishing
equality between citizens because of d
ference in complexion and in polite
faith. 1t will obligate the League tooppo
every construction and application Of ID
designed 10 hinder the full, free vote
all men," and the honest count of I
votes Of 'all men" in Delaware. As
only rule by which this equality
rights can he maintainei is the rule
thr majority. sincere advocacy Of the d
tline Of equal rights will obligate
Democratic League to advocate subn
sion il the will Of the majority Of yot
:is aScrrtained III the polls, in even
important 4 matter as the election
United States Senators, and in this
partant matter we cali the Leagues
tention to some very fragrant Violate
1T lhr law Ut equal rights. occurring
The recent history Of this State, and
which il doubtless has knowledge.
Delaware il without Senatorial rer
suutation in the Congress of the Uni
States because Of Democratic violat
Of the principle of equal rights,
Democratic revolt against equal lie
i'll 1896 is the source Of all If Delawa
later political troubles.