The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-05-03
PARTY Reorganization.

Party reorganization has been the theme
of we'll wishers of the Democratic party ana
of those who speak from motives OF personal
advancement.
The Democratic party needs no reorganlza-
ton. The principles of the party are written
in the Constitution, and must endure so long
as that instrument lasts. Around those prln-
ciples rally devoted Democrats who are only
interested in applying them to government
with no thought of personal advancement
Policies of government arise with the times
and conditions, which sometimes create dis
cussion. and sometimes division, but the basic
principles of the party are enduring, and true
Democrats are neither swerved from them by
temporary questions nor misIead by personal
ambitions and disappontments.
Bad leadership nor incompetent leadership
does not affect principles. That the party
may sometimes be used for personal advance
ment by those in power, need cause no alarm.
The principles and those devoted to them are
right and matters will not long remain wrong.
The greatest danger to harmony and unity
is personaism. The man who loses sight OF
principles, and thinks of the party only as an
organization to advance his personal interests
"A lever to raise him to honor or bring emou-
ments of offce-is not the man for leadership.
And the man who has such an exalted idea OF
his own fitness for office and high claims upon
the party for advancement he cannot stand
defeat, is even more dangerous. The latter
class are very prone to believe the party is
lost when their homes or ambitions are not at
tanned. They even, in their disgust, vote the
opposition ticket They sometimes become
reyengeful, and form alliances with the oppo-
sition to punish those who differed with them
as TO the selection of candidates. 10 visit
their wrath upon individuals they would wreck
the party, and labor to defeat all men and
measures put up by the party. And strange
to say, these are usually the men who talk OF
party reorganization-the men who have done
their best to disorganize, discredt and defeat
the party.
Around such men rally all who believe they
have been ''ignored,' BADLY treated or
turned down." Every man with 'grlev-
ance" sings the song of reorganization, not
with any view of putting Democratic prlncl'
pies in the ascendancy, but in the hope OF
selEadvancement in the scheme of reorganlza-
ton. And these reorganizers would still be
discontents if the turn of the wheel did not
land them on top.
A quartet of Just such men in Baltimore are
now talking of the necessity of the reorganza-
ton of the Democratic party. One has filled
every office within the gift Of the people OF
the city and State. Another was given an
important place by Democratic Admins
tration at Washington, went against his party
and holds the same place under a Republican
Administration. Another has been chronic
obiector for twelve or fifteen years. Another
is young luminary who has just come upon the
horizon and revolted against his party and
formed an alliance with the Republicans be-
cause he did not reach the goal of his ambi
ton.
No reorganization under such leadership
would be lasting. Organization based upon
personaism, could not long stand. The per-
sonalism that was the moving cause of organ.
izaton would result in desintegration. Demo
Gratis who are attached to the party because
of devotion to Democratic principles would
halt at leadership whose only object would be
the dethroning of some men and advancing
themselves.
There is no demand for party reorganization
by true Democrats. There is no necessity for
any movement looking to that end, and men
whose record for party tealty is open to doubt
or suspicion will have no following from
Democrats who are such from principle
The only suggestion we would make to
more compactly weld the party would be that
some perennial candidates and seekers after
perterment-good party men though they are
and have always been-should step aside and
let others have a chance. There is no suspic-
ion against their devotion to principles
or loyalty to party They have advocated
Democratic principles and Loyalty stood
by the party and its nominees. They have
not sulked in defeat, but the people have
grown tired of their names. Their continual
application for nominations or offices is cauS-
ing gOOd democrats 10 grow luheWdIin
Many Democrats believe they should step
aside, and allow others to have some Of the
honors and emolumdhts of office. New names
on tickets would inspire many voters to re-
newed efforts, and the lukewarm would be
transformed into ardent party workers. Some
who have come to believe that only a tavorite
few can succeed, would have their views
changed, and would enter into contests with
renewed hope.
No reorganization of the party is needed
only some new names on the tickets, then
other men will be found in the ranks of the
active workers. New names, however, must
be names of Democrats from principle, COM
petent men and clean men, who are deserving
of distinction by reason of party service. No
disorganizers are wanted. No men who have
been nursing grievances. No men who view
the party as an organization to lift them up to
honors and emoluments. But men devoted to
the principles of party, who neither sulk in
defeat nor grow arrogant in victory. This is
the need of the party. Nothing more.
The Board of Public Works on Tuesday
elected Col Buchanan Schey State Tax Com.
missioner, to succeed Robert P Graham, Re-
publican, whose term has expired Colonel