Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-01-23
IOtal .,.... wv
Dated st. Louis, Mo, January Is, 1902.
]. M. SEIBERT, Chairman,
]. Fl. Edwards, Secretary,
Jefferson City, Mo.



Gentlemen of the Democratic State Com
mittee-Pursuant to the usual custom IN
campaign years of calling OF ommltte
together at ar early day TO lnaugurate
the work of the campaign, nave assem-
bled the committee at this time for the
purpose stated in the call, which has Just
been read by the secretary. Under the
call the committee will take up the ques-
ton of fixing the dates and places FOR
holding the two conventions which must
be held this year, one to nominate three
Judges of the supreme court and one 10
nominate a superintendent OF PUBIC
schools and two railroad ana warehouse
commissioners to elect a chairman ana
two members of the state committee from
each congressional district, and also 10
fix the basis of representation TOT tne
several counties and legislative dlstrlcts
of the state. In addition to that, under
the call, the committee can take up any
other matter it may deem necessary or
important to the welfare of the demo-
cratic party, and | hope the committee
will take sufficient time to look over the
political situation Thoroughly, compare
and exchange views, and take such steps
as may be considered best to further our
organization and strengthen our party
lines.
note with great pleasure the presence
of so many members of the committee,
and | nope the interest you manifest in
the party welfare by your attendance
augurs well for the future. This is the
first tOrm9l meeting Oh tne luil CuIllIilll-
tee since the election in November, 1900.
The election of that year resulted, as you
know, in the overwhelming defeat of our
national ticket. The party throughout the
nation made a gallant and splendid light,
but the odds were too great to be over
come. State after state, which before had
| stood in the democratic column, went
down, and the disaster was widespread
| and general. But it should be a source
Of great pride and congratulation to us
that in the midst of the work Missouri
doomed up, grim n magnificent, UNI
shaken by the storm that beat against
her. While our comrades in other safes
were swept from their feet and over
steadfast and unmoved. We carried the
state for the democratic presidential
ticket by nearly $4,000 and for the demo-
cratic state ticket by over 5000, elected
and carried the legislature by a large ma
iority. Judged by the results achieved
and comparing our work to that accom-
plished in other states, | repeat that this
committee has every reason for congrat-
ulating itself, and the party throughout
the state. The result of the splendid and
| exceptional victory won in this state has
| been far-reaching and most inspiring.
| Other states, seeing what Missouri did,
and taking courage from her example,
have rallied from defeat, and last year
several of the old democratic states, like
Maryland and Kentucky, wheeled into line
| again WITH large IldJOTllleS, anu SeNeTdl
most significant and signal victories like
that at Boston, have been won in the last
few months.
The prospects of the party throughout
the nation are Frightening every day, and
! now have the greatest confidence that
the naional democracy will triumph in
1904. The republicans hate Missouri and
revile her because she remains ever faith
full to democratic principles, and because
she refuses to yield either to force or
Establishments. Missouri has been the one
great light among the western states that
has burned steadily, without Pickering,
through the night, and now when the
dawn of Il better day shall break, Missou-
ri should lead the way to victory and lib.
erty. AS long as Missouri stands true to
democracy the democratic party will
stand ready to fight, and fight to win
Knowing this, the republicans, l say, hate
Missouri, and they have determined tc
break down her starlwart democracy II
they can. To that end they are now max.
ing the most desperate attacks upon the
party they have perhaps ever attempted
No effort will be left untried to encom.
pass our defeat. Lying has been reduced
to a fine art; money will be %squanderet
with a lavish hand, and everything tina
malignant ingenuity can devise will b.
said and done to confuse and mislead thu
people, n every inducement will be Of
fered to the weak and unwary to be
tray the party. 1t is a time when demo
Gratis should consider. with care, thinl
WGl anu dCl Will ulSCItllUI.
We need only to stand together and b,
true to our party, its principles and it's or
ganiZation to be invincible in Missouri
Every consideration of interest and homo
requires us to stand together and to lie
no small personal differences disturb tn,
harmony of our action. There Is too mucl
at stake for any other course. Let the re
publicans win Missouri, and all hope of
national victory, for our party would dis
appear. The light of a ~well-founded hop
Of SUCCESS in 1gA. now rising nm orr hort
zon, would go out In a moment. Our PEG
pie would lose heart in every state in tn
Union, and Missouri, God pity her, woul
! not recover from 1t in a generation. TIL
republicans know this, that Missouri |
J d~emocracy''s stronghold and the key t
the situation, and. therefore, they vii
strive as never before to conquer us. Blu
j they can not do II If we are true to our
selves and stand loyalty together.
II we do that we will drive them agai
will then lead the way to a great victor
in 1904. I nave but one wish, and that /
to cooperate with you, gentlemen of tn
committee, n with all good democrats
In unity, harmonizing and organizing tn
democracy Of the state 80 as to max
success a certainty. 1t is our business I
work for the party, not for men. W
have nothing to do with the ambitions q
contests. of individuals, but 1t is our dur
to look only to the general good. I believ
/ that is the spirit in which we should me-
B and in which we should proceed. Let Il
3 show to each other courtesy and respecf
treat everybody fairly, but go forward /
3 our work with one great purpose-that Z
promoting the welfare Of the democratj
party.
Hoping and believing that this spirit wi
animate all our deliberations, and this
2 the meeting will rebound to the good {
the party, I now call the committee I
8 order for the transaction Of business.