The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-28
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER IS, 1902.
THE ISSUES READY, THE LEADER


What the democratic party needs to
give il a chance of success is leaders in
the true sense of the WCrd, not machine
bosses. The issues it has and issues on
which it can win, ready made and
waiting for it. The results Of the last
elections show that it was not the issues
of the campaign which caused demo-
cratic defeat. but the Unwillingness of
the people to follow the leadership Of
the men who were at the head of the
party in several of the states. They
were q rebuke to the men who a Sc
cured control of the party machinery in
their several states and managed the
affairs of the party in their own per-
sonal interests. In the state Of New
York Hill again came to the front as
party boss and forced Coler upon the
people as their nominee for governor.
The latter's defeat was not because a
majority of the people preferred Odell,
but there was a large element so hostile
to Hill that they were willing to sacri-
flee the democratic nominee III order to
emphasize their hostility TO the ma
chine boss. In the state CT Ohio we see
q tremendous republican majority rolled
up in a state where tic PEOPLE were de-
manding compliance by a republican
congress with the chief issue of the
campaign as advocated by the demo-
cratic party. The people Of that state
were unwilling to recognize Mayor Tom
Johnson as their leader and preferred
TO overwhelm him with disastrous de-
feat to supporting their cherished de-
sires for tariff reform coupled with vic
tory for such a man. In the west,
where Bryan's chief strength heretofore
lay the states of Utah, Colorado and
Nevad have repudiated him and en-
phasized that reputation by passing
into the republican column.
These same conditions are seen in the
republican ~party-the desire to throw off
the yoke of bossism. Coler'S tremend-
Gus vote in BROOKLYN is admitted to
have been the result of the conduct of
the Woodruff-Dady machine. The
course Of this combination repealed
thousands of voters. rhe election of
Governor Garvin in Rhod Island is also
largely attributed to he restiveness of
&CPdOAI1oAS oA4oCA dIS
These machine politicians and self con-
stiuuted bosses in the democratic party
whose conduct caused their party's de-
feat are not going to willingly with
draw, and unless the people rise against
them and force them from the so-called
leadership We will have in 1904 a repeti-
ton of the occurrences of 1902. Already
hoTra fhav hao,,n 70 Ia - Llr;- ,l,ns fO-
securing q firmer hold IN the party or
CARNATIONS of their states. If they are
allowed to succeed in their schemes and
dictate to the people whom they shall
nominate for president two years hence
we viii suffer the same defeat they
brought apon us this year. What the
party needs is leaders. true leaders, in
whom the masses of the party nave
confidence and who can draw to the
party that floating element which is to
be found in every state men Who are
, put in the position Of leaders by the
<people and not such as by scheming
J force themselves into the leadership. 4
clean, strong, inspiring leadership is the
great need of the democratic party. q
man for their standard nearer in whose
integrity and patriotism the People have
confidence. one whose name is not as
ISOLATED with any party ring rule or fac
tiQnal scheming for political advance
ment OF himself and his factional allies.
This man has not yet come within the
range of the partys vision but We
have nearly two years in which to n
him.