Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-02-17
TUESDAY EVENING, FEB. II, 1903
CALL TO ARMS.

Democrats who are demOcratS lIoii
principle should assert themselves
Not only is it their duty to do so, but
they need to do so if they would save
the party from disaster and demoraf
ization. Reports from every section
Of the country make it certain that
those who left the party in 1896 under
the pretense of opposition to bi-metal-
lism are making a systematic effort
to regain control of the party with a
view to placing it in the position 1t
occupied under Grover Cleveland's adj
m~inistration. In this they are being
aided by the less extreme representa-
tives Of the corporation clement that
voted the ticket for r~egularity's sake
without endorsing the platform. These
elements do not work openly and non
estly, but ~covertly and through
agents who beg for harmony"
1t is time that loyal democrats were
aroused to the danger confronting
their party and its principles. 1t is
time they were organizing to combat
the insidious influences at work within
the party to republicanize it and make
1t acceptable to the corporation inter-
ests for a democratic party that es-
pouses principles acceptable to the
trusts and the money power is demo
cratic in name only. Only thorough
organization will be effective against
~
these u~ndemocratic influences. This
work Of organization should begin noS
and be prosecuted with vigor. The
best way is the organization of clubs
within the party in every voting pre-
cinct in the Countrywide Common
er.
MI. Bryan received two nominations
at the hands of his party. and its ear
nest and patriotic support. During his
first candidacy the silver question was
the main issue. and the battle ranged
exclusively along that line. In his
sue was yet important, other questions
forged to the front, and became prom
inent.
The rank and file of the party stood
nobly by Mr.. Bryan and placed upon
him an obligation which he will do
well to remember.
He owes it both to himself and party
to aid in restoring that harmonious
action. without which defeat in tll
next election is certain.
True. Mr.. Cleveland and most mem
bers of his cabinet were in those two
vital campaigns against Mr.. Bryan
and against the party.
II is more han probable if Mr..
Cleveland had given Mr.. Bryan in his
first candidacy. earnest support, as he
should have done, that thereby Mr..
Bryan's election would have been as
sured.
Enough gold democrats were either
luke-warm, or directly and openly
against Mr.. Bryan. in his first candi-
dacy to defeat him.
This action on their part a unjus-
tifiable. With most of them this oppo-
sition was a matter of principle with
many a matter of sloaves and fishes"
Mr.. Cleveland while president owed
it to his party to stand by its nomi-
nee. His opposition to it. his battle
against it, cannot and never will be
forgiven by the democracy.
If he were a candidate today % per
cent of the party would repudiate him.
because of his position in 1896. His
candidacy would in the beginning be
q certainty of defeat. No condition
can arise thai will again make him a
possible candidate. While the party
would resent n effort on the part OF
Mr.. Cleveland himself to lead as a
candidate, it could not reasonably OBJ
ject, If he should again be willing to
join in its councils anG aid in restor-
ing the party to power.
The question for which Mr.. Bryan
most distinctly stood is settled and
nothing is to be gained by an effort
to give new vitality to a dead issue.
Sixteen to one. whether right or wrong
has been repudiated by the electors
of the nation.
Twice they nave said they would
not have it.
1t is suicidal to attempt to renew
that issue.
That question being settled, why
now agitate 1t?
Why talk eternally about the Kan
a City platform when all democrats
are for it, except as to dead issues?
Mr.. Cleveland and the gold democrats
stand for all there is in that platform,
far as living issues go.
MI. Cleveland. Mr.. Olney and the |
gold democrats in the east have buried |
the Ratchet. and we should do so in the
III Mr.. Cleveland will again give Of
his intellect and effort to win the next
election, let him do it. Mr.. Bryan is
bad taste, sowing the seeds
Of discord, where he should preach |
the gospel Of unity and harmony. Let
Mr. Bryan and Mr.. Cleveland quit