The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-06
De. ARMOND POINTS THE WAY.

The Democratic party has an opportun-
lily to win this year-partly through its
strong position upon public questions and
partly because there is a desire to have an
end OF the unsafe administration of the
rough rider. The question, How can
success be attained?" has been asked by
many, and quite as many have thought
themselves competent to answer it, Tie
unwise, who were not in accord with the
party in 1896 and in 1900 make answe
by saying: "Repudiate the leaders of 1895
and 1900 and let Mr.. Cleveland be sole
leader" Other unwise men say: ignore
present issues and conditions and stick to
the platform of 1896 and 1900" Not one
of these answers will meet the approval
of the unterrifed Democracy in all sec
tions of the Republic. So far We have
read but one answer that is the perfec-
ton of wisdom. 1t was given at the
Jacksonian Club of Omaha, Nebraska, by
Hen. David A. DeArmond, of Missouri, cas-
would have made wise and safe leader
OF the House as all his utterances show.
Here is the answer he makes to How can
success be attained:
"Can the Democratic party win the COM
ing national election? Yes. Will the
victory be ours? That is not so easily an
swered, for that depends upon what the
party will say and do when next it con-
venes in national convention. II it shall
wisely address itself to the issues of the
day, asserting nothing Extensively, apol-
ogizing for nothing, and shall name for its
nc minees men who ought to be, and,
therefore, will be acceptable to its rank
and file, it will win. But, if in folly, it
repudiates its past-its recent past or
if it needlessly antagonizes and drives
away elements which were not with it or
which left in its recent past, the promis9
of the times and of conditions will prove
delusive, and we shall go down to de-
feat.
Il have no platform to suggest no
candidates to commend to the exclusion
of others. As one who followed enthusiast
tically the party flag, borne so nobly by
your great Nebraskan, l would be unwlll-
ing, even with sweeping victory as the
price of the baseness, to say aughI or do
aught in reputation of the man who led
on the millions of\devoted Democrats who
followed the party banner in 1896 or 1900.
But 1896, with it's stirring activities is
in the great ocean of time that has been;
and so it is with 1900. Today is our
day, and this is the year of our pressing
political duty and inviting political pros
rect.
Gas / would not indulge in self-stultif-
cation, so I would not be proscriptive. l
would welcome all who come to battle
on our side now, 4or what now is In IS
sue, and l would repel none whose help
we may have now, because we did not
get it in some campaigns of the past,
just as we welcomed those who came to
us first in 1896 after a lifetime of oppo
sition. None who were against us before.
but sincerely desire to be with us now,
will come with words of denuncla+
upon their lips, or the nolier than thou
spirit in their hearts. The sincere ones,
who should find a hearty welcome and
full fellowship are those who would be
with us now for the country's good, be-
cause they believe we are for what in
the fight now on, is right Those, if there
be any, who would come to ask us to re-
pudiate our past and humbly giorify
them for their past, either are utterly
wanting in sincerity or are too vain and
too dictatorial too narrow and vengeful,
to be of value to the party"