Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-08-27
HON. WALTER WILLIAMS.
Says That the People Are Supreme
in Politics in Missouri.

cOnSluef-anu rcAeUH VOgethefs
The Democratic party in Missouri has
a fine CHARGE to beat Its brains out
and sometimes the signs indicate 1t
win succeed.
Votes on election day count for
party victory. Nothing else.
TRAIN THE GUNS ON THE ENEMY.
Whatever difficulties a calm review
of the political situation in Missouri
may present, the Democratic party
may surmount all by wise, prudent
and conservative course Of action.
Necessary to such a course is the
abandonment of the campaign Of
abuse of Democrats. These are dog
days in Missouri politics. Political
hydrophobla is abroad in the land.
Many usually sane people IRE frothing
at the mouth. Within the week there
might have been read in Democratic
journals such billings-gate as would
shame the fishermen Of the slums-ail
directed against Democrats whose
voice and vote will be needed for par
ty victory next year. Political pru-
dence, IL no higher motive, warns
against such procedure. Wholesale
denuncIation is bad. Personal abuse
is worse. The man who keeps his
mouth shut, when too often it means
bitter comment upon a brother Dem
ocrat, is wise in his day and genera
ton. The writer has his personal
choice for places upon the State
ticket. 1t would not help his favorite
to win and it might aid the nomi-
mated candidates to lose, did be un-
dertake to read out Of the party and
into the rogue's gallery all who fan to
agree with him and to follow the flag
Of his fayorite. II this be true of the
individual Democrat who writes this
page how much more is II Of those
OF influence, power and responsibility
10 the party and in the State.
Let US train u guns on the com
mon enemy. Let US seek to win
votes for the party, whoever they
supported in 1900 or 1896 or in the
dark ages. The party will need them
in 1904 and it has needed them since
the days OF robber Republican rule in
Missouri.
LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK.
The newspapers = particularly thu
Republican newspapers TEEN with
talk OF machine and ring and bossisn
in the Democratic party. The mos
effective method OF discounting thii
talk is to let the people speak.
Whatever the people want = ant
want hard enough and long enough
will be accomplished. Whoever thu
people want nominated for any ofic,
land want hard enough long enough
Twill be nominated. Machine ant
, ring and boss will eventually bow t
the terrible power Of public opinion
or be broken to pieces by it.
In Missouri just now the people ar
aroused. The political party which
undertakes to override the people viii
be vigorously beaten. 1t will deserve
to be beaten, for what cause havt
political parties for existence excep'
to carry into effect the wishes Of thl
people? The set Of men, great Of
small, who stand in the way Of a fair
expression OF the popular desire arr
doomed TO defeat. Let not the Dem
ocratic party nor any Of its honest ant
able leaders make the fatal mistake
Of butting a Juggernaut.
The people are sovereign. The Dem
~ocratic party has never failed to trus'
them. 1t is too old in the service Of
the people to take any other cours'
now.
THE MAN AND THE PLATFORM.
Having found out, by honest prima
ry election, or fair convention, wht
the people want for ONCE and what
they want for platform then the Dem
~ocratic party should unhesitatingll
nominate the peoples choice upor
the peoples platform. The people
will take are OF the rest.
This happy result will be founC
when platform is written aud candi
dates are chosen by the people In sucf
wise:
The Missouri Democratic platform
will contain the substance Of Dsca,
logue and the Democratic nominees
will be able to stand upon it without
blush or explanation, particularly
Plank Eight.