The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-02
SHOUL D NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE
HIS SEAT.

day conveyed a piece oI NEWS .H'I INC
Democratic people of the United States
should seriously consider. 1t Is that,
after his selection as a delegate to the
Democratic National Convention, ex-
Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota, an
nounced his intention of boiling the
National Democratic Convention if Grover
Cleveland or any Democrat like him is
nominated" After this declaration, Mr.
Pettgrew was elected chairman Of the
delegation. We may, therefore, assume
that the majority of the delegation hold
views in harmony with those expressed
by Mr.. Pettigrew.
There has never been a minute when
there was any possibility that the Demo-
cratic party would stultify itself by
nominating Mr.. Cleveland or any other
man who bolted the party in the crisis of
1896. The Cleveland worshippers have
kept up q propaganda and literary bureau
for months in the vain effort of securing
the denomination of the ex-presdent. 1t
fell so fiat it had to be abandoned and
the exspresident wrote a letter which
eliminates his name from consideration.
1t is still true. however, that there are
certain interests which will seek to STAN
pede the convention to him. if Cleveland
men could slip in on the delegations. me
Democracy is not ready to die by the
suicide route and will therefore not stultl-
fly itself by considering the nomination OF
the ex-president. Therefore. the remark
of Senator Pettigrew was unnecessary
Bs,t he does not stop at saying he would
bolt Cleveland, but says he would bolt
"any Democrat like him." There is no
Democrat like him. but that statement
might permit Mr. Pettigrew to take part
in the convention and bolt any candidate
that does not suit him, and say he is like
him.
The Democratic party wishes all the
recruits it can get, whether from the Re-
publican, Silver Republican or Populist
parties, or from the Independents, but it
has no place in it's national councils for
men who announce in advance that they
will bolt if everything does not go to suit
them. 1t had enough of boilers, open
and sitting in 1886, to last it a life time.
There are times when it may be the duty
of an honest man to change his political
affiliations, and when there is conflict be-
tween convictions and what seems politi-
cal honor. Such time came TO Horace
Greeley, Samuel Bowles, B. Gratz Brown,
Carl Schurz and others who broke away
from the Republican party in 1872. Such
a time came to Senators Teller. Dubois,
Pettigrew and others whose convictions
forced them to sever their connection
with the Republican party in 1895. Some
of the men who bolted the Democratic
party in that year were actuated by con-
victions and deserve to have their con-
victions respected.
But, while desiring Democratic recruits,
the Democratic party does not wish to
have men come into its organization I'M
less they believe in it's principles, are
devoted to its fortunes and intend in good
faith ''to submit to the arbitrament OF
the national convention" If Mr.. Petit
grew has mind to desert the party un-
less he can force it to nominate Hearst.
whose campaign he seems to be managing
in the Northwest, or if so intends to leave
If ID dominates some man he does not like, |
then he has no place in Democratic coun-
ellis where men meet upon common
level, each urging his own views, but
ready to bow to the will of the majority. |
Let us illustrate what We mean by con-
trasting the position of Senator Teller and
Senator Dubois and Representative Towne
with that of Mr.. Pettigrew. These three |
gentlemen left the Republican party be-
cause they were out of harmony with its |
principles and aims. They believe in the |
rule of the people, they are hostile to
under Dingley, they are against Force !
bill legislation, they are deeply hostile 20
they antagonize executive
they stand for an economical |
Of government, and against |
contraction of the currency and govern
ment IN the interest of banking institu-
tons. They grew into Democrats and
nave come to revere the partys creed
and to be as solicitous for its welfare as
the cradle-rocked Democrats. They are
Democrats "for keeps" and are sincerely
DESTROYS of advancing Democratic princi- |
pies. Does anybody hear them saving
they will 'bolt if this or that is done
No more than you hear Senator German
Senator Morgan or Senator Simmons make
such declaration. They believe that the
Democratic party will be wise enough to
stand true to its creed, to be the agency OF
the doctrine equal rights to all and spe-
cial privilege to none,'' and they are ready
in that faith ito abide in the ship