The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-02-21
Y A CALL TO ARMS.

"Can to Arms an article from the
Commoner which, from the form 10
which it is printed, be evidently
believes TO contain a most important
message. The main points in this
message every democrat must endorse.
The first is that If there is to be any
reorganization Of the democratic
party IL is TO be accomplished by the
faithful and not by the deserters.
That proposition ought to require no
argument, even for those who are
~unfriendly to Mr. Bryan and to the
principles for which he stands.
The second proposition is that the
line democrats ought to organize
themselves into clubs in every voting
precinct in the land. The ~soundness
OF this advice cannot be questioned.
1t is passing strange that democrats
are SO ayerse to clubs. Republicans
don't need them. Cohesion does not
have to be cultivated in that party.
They never fall out except oyer the
federal spoiIs in states where they are
In the minority In their national
organization unity is preserved for
them by the interests which they
serve, the interests by which they
live and move and have their being.
But the democratic party is a party
OF ideals, Of eternal principles, which
by a process Of deduction, true or
false, determine It's position unon
every passing issue. Hence the value
Of clubs, where thought may be
eugendered and sound conclusions
reached before the regular q~uadrennial
reorganizations. Such clubs would
be OF inestimable value in indoc-
trinating the young with the essen
tials Of party principles, ia arousinp
enthusiasm, in promoting fellowship,
in lending confidence, 10 stimulating
endeavor. Democrats have always
relied too much upon revival methods.
They are too much like the Belgians
In Caesars time, resolving after each
great battle to dispense and into
whatsoever land the enemy might
invade thither separately to repair
But the democratic host ought never
to disband. It's warfare should be
continuous and concerted.
Democrats have a fear Of clubs
because of a mortal antipathy TO
machines and bosses. A democratic
machine is sure to be smashed before
all the parts a be gotten together
AS for bosses, the party never knew
one. There has never been a Hanna
or a Quay 10 that organization
Croker is no exception. He was only
an afiliation at best and held his
primlacy and preserved the organiza.
tion Of his braves by virtue of the
same bond that holds the republicans
together-plunder.
Though democrats will not abide
bosses they idolize their leaders. The
names of Jefferson, Jackson, Tilden
and Bryan excite the widest enthu-
siasm. And right here comes the
most delicate aud doubtful suggestion
in Mr.. Bryan's "Call to Arms He
proposes TO send out from Lincoln
constitutions for the proposed clubs,
membership blanks, and a course OF
study, which he will dir ct frcm
week to week through the Commoner,
This might work, and then again il
might not. Jefferson did something
very similar but Jefferson was thu
most adroit leader the party evel
produced. Unless Mr. Bryan is very
sure Of himself he had better let the
last suggestion pass. So long as be
remains aloof, as the voice of one
crying 10 the wilderness, the people
will flock to him. But when he turni
schoolmaster, presenting a weekly
lesson, perhaps welding a rod, tn,
case may be different. Democrat
will follow a prophet, but will the.
sit patient under authority?
Mr.. Bryan has this week reiterated
for the twentieth time that he will
under no circumstances be induced Il
be the party's standard bearer il
1904 1t is very certain, however
that he will be exceedingly Influential
10 selecting the standard bearer /
the convention we're held now, it !
possible that Mr.. Bryan could nam
tho mon Puf a. ba Drononfao n,