The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-04
Tuesday Oct. 4, 1904.
THE DEMOCRATIC POLICY.

Evidently somebody has been saying
something about the editor of The Ra-
leigh Evening Times which that gent
leman does not like and he has pro-
ceeded to read the riot act" to MS
critic. The Times man claims the right
as a free American citizen to express
his opinions on public matters and 81
the same time to call himself a demo-
crat-not emily to call himself a demo-
Graf, but to demand hat other people
should class him as such. We do not
know where to find a truer democrat
in the state than the man who shapes
the policy of that paper.
1T has become the fashion among a
certain class of democrats to cry down
any man who raises his voice against
any action of the party's political ma
nipalators. In these days when thea
should be accorded much latitude OF
opinion in h party and the effort OF
all party men should be to make partS
tenets as broad and liberal as possible
in order to extend the party lines and
bring within the fold as many men as
possible it is unfortunate that there
should be within the party and espsc-
ialls among the leaders a disposition on
the part of a few to drive out of 1t all
men who don OF accept their dicta as
to party faith and principles.
When the time comes that a man
does not dare to criticise tie conduct
of his party for fear Of being forced
out of it, then that party is in a pre-
carious condition. 1t is no longer a free
political party, fighting for the welfare
of the state and her people, but a CO.
terie of political despots, whose sole
aim Is to keep themselves in power by
~browbeating and intimidating the
masses, Such are not the principles
on which the democratic party is
founded. When it becomes to be the
party of the few and for the benef:
of the few then the people will no LON
ger have any use for it. That day
has not yet come and is not likely tc
come so long as the people are trHe tc
themselves and stand up for thei.
rights and privileges.
All indications point to democrats
victory. The country seems to b:
ready for a change in the national al
ministration. The people seem to be
nxiou for it. If the leaders make ne
mistake between now and election day
the success of the democratic ticSe,
Is almost assured. The greatest dar'
ger is the too closely drawing of thu
- a- - -a x-a~ -~I rrha
we need is notes.-the ballots Of the j n
dependents and the disgruntled, dissat
isfied republicans as we'll those of tn
dyed-in-the-wool democrats. To ge
these we must pursue a liberal policy
This is no time to be questioning TIN
democracy or h political motives o.
any man who is inclined to vote witt
us. Our true policy is to make it easy
not hard, for such men to vote tn,
democratic ticket.
But to get back to The Raleigh Time.
and it's editorial alluded to in the be
ginning OF this article. 1t says:
1t does not require any great furnish.
ings to enable a fellow to stand arounc
on the street corners and call in ques
ton a mans democracy who is a
work, trying to make an one living
and who dares utter his own thoughts
regarding always the rights of Other
people. The editor of this paper is no
taking any lessons in democracy this
season, especially from those who's
chief business is to get themselves and
as many mi of their family il
office as possible. He will holler fol
such men and things as he wants to;
otherwise ne will keep his mouth shut
If he wants to do so.