The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-11-19
DEMOCRATS AND INDEPEND-
ENCE

DEMOCRATS AND lNDEPEND-
ENCE.
So much is said these days about
the thousands of Democrats in state
the action of the St. Louis conven-
ton. The Labor World is one of
the radical opponents in the news
paper field that did not support the
candidacy Of Judge Parker, but rath-
er took sides with that great COM
Moner, Eugene V. Debs. 1t may not
lie good policy to be irregular, but
we ought to be given the same priv
ilege that David B. Hill, Grover
Cleveland and other of their ilk en-
joyed in 1896. In the late cam
Iaign the Democratic party offered
absolutely no hope to the working
class. It evaded or trimmed every
thing in its platform that pertained
to economics.
This was due largely to the pres
ence of representatives from organ
izations of the opponents of sunion
labor. These men paid no attention
to any declarations Of the party save
those referring to the labor question.
The Democratic party needed the
advice of the opponents of labor,
cast aside the demands of union
labor, and for this reason it went
down into ignominous defeat at the
polls.
An analysis of the returns proves
this beyond all possibility of doubt.
In every workingman's community
Roosevelt polled an increased vote,
Debs also made marvellous gains,
while the Democratic nominee lost
heavily over preceding elections.
The workingmen, at least those who
were not blinded by party prejudice,
chose either Roosevelt or Debs as
against Judge Parker.
The talk of scalping all Democrats
who were not regular in the late
election is most foolish. There are
not enough knives in America to do
the work. Work was there to fight
for in the past election? Absolutely
nothing of concern to the common
people.
The Democratic party is composed
OF citizens of independent minds. In
1896 it lauded Chas. A. Towne to
the skies when he placed principle
above party and worked with the
Democrats because his party had de-
clared for the Gold Standard in
which he did not believe
The praise for his courage at that
time is still ringing in our ears. We
still hear that patriotic utterance,
God bless the citizen who is brave
enough to place principle above
party
At St. Louis the Democratic party
deserted it's time honored principles,
courted favor with the very element
in society whose power the party had
for years been attempting to check,
and at the same time it expected the
rank and file to swallow it's "sugar
coated pill
This kind Of deception might have
been carried out with success in 9TH
er days, but eight years of schooling
under the leadership of Mr.. Bryan
has put the free thinking American
voter on his guard It is not so easy
to mislead him now, and when party
managers learn this they will frame
platforms and pursue policies Of real
benefit to the people.
If the Democratic party ever ex-
poets to get right with the people, it
should cease turning somersaults at
every convenient opportunity, and
come out with open and frank de-
clarations as to it's purpose.
When the people once have conf
dence in the promises of the party
then and only then will it triumph
at the polls. After all the real ques-
lions before the American people are
Unrestricted personal liberty" and
more BREAD and Butter" These
can not be secured without striking
at the predatory class that now con-
trolls the government. Hence the
future policy of the Democratic party
ought to be clear and unmistaken.
LIGHTING CITY STREETS.