The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-02-06


with national affairs. In these
domestic fields l conceive we can
nominate our candidates for their
ability, fitness and general accept
ability, without any reference what
ever to their views or conduct on
the silver question.
Answering other questions in
your letter, I beg to say that the
Democratic party relieved. as above
suggested, from all differences as to
Silver, is a unit in Pennsylvania,
and needs only an aggressive spirit
and practical organization to win,
if not in the State at large, at least
in many contested districts. The
harmonization which seems to be
taking place in Philadelphia and
Alleg heny is very encouraging.
But the Democrats of the country
should not wait upon events in the
ities.-Let them make their own
organizations. Let them send dele
gates to the State Convention in
their own interests. Let them look
to their own candidates upon Legis-
lative, county and municipal
tickets.
To that end l believe now, as !
always have believed, that there is
no organization SO perfectly adapted
to the work as that of popular Clubs
or Democratic Societies. There
has not been a single instance in
the history of the country where
the institution of the honest, earn
est Democratic Club has not in
creased the Democratic vote i'll the
community where it existed. am
still President of the Democratic
Society of Pennsylvania and l am a
member of the Executive Commit
tee OF the National Association Of
Democratic Clubs. l do not be-
lieve anything important CAN be ac-
complished, either in the State or
nation, without thorough club or.
gauization. The club is the arena
of discussion. the challenge to the
enemy, the engine Of agitation, a:
it has ever been and ever will be.
Against the combined monopolie:
OF the country the club affords tbs
only support to the individual voter
When every true man stands shoul
der to shoulder with his fellow il
! the club he is invinci5le. Outside
it he is open to intimidation, cor
ruption and seduction. Let IL.
make the club system universal anC
perfect. l have reason to believ,
that my successor in the executive
Office OF the National Association
of Democratic Clubs, Mr.. w. r
Hearst, intends to carry into tn,
national club organization of on
party the intense energy and effect
i've methods which have character
lied all his other enterprises. ant
that by the time the next Congress
is to be elected we will be organized
for a hopeful battle.
I beg to take advantage of thi
opportunity to make still anothe
suggestion TO the true and steadfas
country Democrats of Our State
Let US be as careful in framing tn
issues of the approaching State cam
paign as in the selection of ou
candidates. To go into State Con
veption, resolve that our opponent
are bad men and call upon all gooc
citizens to help us i'll putting then
down, without proposing any spec
ific measure or policy for the re
moval of the evils denounced, i
not worthy of the great, histori
party which governed this com
monwealth from the time of Thoma
Mexican to that of William F
Packer. The peorle have the righ
to know what we intend to do,
given power, and they will know
before they consent to trust lis
The mere denunciation of other
is no recommendation for ourselves
The abuses of the Harrisbur,
government are we'll known. lie
us tell the people where and ho,
we propose to correct them, an
having done so nominate able an
honorable men, who if elected vii
not, as has happened heretofore
betray us and dishonor their ow
pledges.
1t need hardly be said that tn
first of these issues should be ballC
reform. 1t is the reform comprt
hending all reforms. We cannC
hope for pure government any
where without pure ballot. LIZ
us then make this the supreme te.
in every legislative district. Ii
no man he trpcted who has eve,