The Caucasian., 1903-04-02
FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY.
THE VIEWS OF SENATOR STONE
OF MISSOURI
And Senator Carmack of Tennessee
Nominee for President Must Be
Strict Party Man-Rejects the
Name of Grover Cleveland.

The Washington correspondent of the
Picayune in a special of recent date
says
Senator William J. Stone of Missouri
has this to say about the Democratic
national platform for 1904:
Il can not anticipate the action of the
convention next year. This | will say
however, that | discriminate between a
principle and policy. Questions which
concern the organic form of Our govern
ment or which affect the personal lib
erty of the citizen, are questions of prin-
ciple, while purely administrative ques-
tions-such, for example, as relate to
the currency or taxation-are ordinary
questions of policy.
Il never did see a Democratic plat
form which did not, in my judgment,
contain some things that ought to have
been left out, and which did not leave
out some things that ought to have been
put in But | always take the platform
and stand upon it, because, as a whole,
have always believed Democratic plat
forms to be right, and because they rep
resent the concensus of party opinion" "
Il can not, or, at least I prefer not,
to discuss these things or to make pro-
phesies as to paramount issues for
1904" said Senator Stone.
Il shall favor platform both pro-
gressive and aggressive. | want the
Democratic party to get in the front of
things and lead Conservatism is not
without its value. believe'in being con-
servative and prudent, but I want the
Democratic party to be more than a
mere restraining force. | want it to be
an affirmative, suggestive and directing
force. A position of mere negation does
not appeal to the progressive spirit of
the age. The world moves, and we must
move with it, if we would have hand
In directing the current of events. Our
party must be distinctively a construc-
tive force. We must propose negotiations
to be done-great things that challenge
attention--things that promise good to
the country, and an increase of natural
power and prestige. We must command
the confidence of the great world of bus
mess and enterprise.
This is a commercial age-too much
so, no doubt, but it is fact. Growth
is what the world is striving
after. We must keep in touch with the
spirit OF the age, SO that we may better
direct the course of events On lines as
nearly right as possible. This is no time
for slow coach. What we shall put in
our platform, or leave out, what poll
cies we shall, as a conservative party,
attempt to develop, are things for think
ing men to think about. We must move
to the front. -..-... = s=.
Il do not care to discuss individuals.
No, / do not think Mr.. Bryan will be
nominated, nor do | think he either ex-
poets or desires the nomination. If any
effort is being made to eliminate him it
will fail, for he is still undoubtedly the
most commanding individual force in
The party. He can not be eliminated and
any effort in this direction will reeoil on
those attempting it. The business of
eliminating people from the party is not
he business I want Democrats to en-
gage in. 1t would be more profitable to
get men into instead of getting them out
If the party.
We have plenty of able men, who
would make safe, conservative presi-
tents, and govern well, although they
night not indulge in-such erratic siren
1ousities as would keep the country on
he tiptoe OF some dread expectancy. On
his subject Of men / make but one re-
mark, and that is that the Democratic
.andidate for president must be Dem
,crat who always supported his party
icket; he must be party man, who, if
.leeted, would give us a stalwart Demo-
ratio administration. That is the only
est of eligibility for the nomination |
would apply. It is not necessary that
nan should have subscribed uncondi-
ionally to every declaration of the Chi
ago and Kansas City platforms.
Senator Carn1aek of Tennessee de-
lares for Judge Parker of New York
Ie says that no man will be nominated
or president in 1904 who did not sup
,ort the ticket in 1906 and 1000.
4 don't think there is anything pro-
criptive about that" explained Mr.. Car
mack.
1t is merely matter of party policy,
ut an important one, and it has become
II the more important since some of the
eople who have been urging the nonni- |
alton Of a man who left the party are
themselves trying to bar the nomination
g 4