West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-04-06
TnE PRIMARY PLEDGE
As Urged Upon the National Democracy
by William J Bryan.


a multitude Of letters since the cleo
ton urging organization for the cam
paign of 1908. The rank and file OF
the party are ready to begin the fight
they only await plan Of cooper
alton. This plan has been under
consideration for some weeks and is
herewith submitted.
"Let each democrat pledge him.
self to attend all of the primaries OF
his party to be held between now
and the next democratic national
convention, unless unavoidably pre-
vented, and &c use his influence TO
secure a clear, honest and straight.
forward declaration of the par:y's
position on every question upon
which the voters of the party desire
to speak.
"This plan does not involve the
writing of platform in advance of
the primaries; it does not rest upon
the paramount Importance of any
one issue. 1t recognizes the night
of the democratic voters to control
the policy of the democratic party,
and to determine its position upon
public questions. 1t also recog-
nizes the importance of honesty and
sincerity in politics.
"Tnis proposition will appeal to
all who believe IN the rule of the
people-to all who are willing that
the majority shall govern in party
management and in the nation.
1t does not mean that those who
exert themselves to secure a good
platform will be bound to support
a bad platform-that is question
which each must determine for him.
self-but it does mean that the
democratic platform shall give voice
to the prevailing sentiment of the
democratic party, and that the party
shall take the country into its con.
fidence. The pledge proposed is a
primary pledge-because the people
speak at the primaries. The ma
tonal convention is attended by
delegates and each delegate repre-
sents tens of thousands of demo
Gratis. The state convention is also
attended by delegates, and these
represent thousands of democrats.
The county conventions are, as
rule, attended by delegates and
these in turn represent hundreds of
democrats. At the primary the
voters speak for themselves; there
democracy has its citadel.
"When the work of organization
is sufficiently advanced, time can
be set for the meeting of the mem
bers in their various localities.
The members of this organization,
while pledged to but one thing
namely, attendance upon the pri-
maries-are urged to cooperate
among themselves for the support Of
every effort put forth to eliminate
corruption in politics No cause
can prosper permanently that does
not appeal 20 the moral sense of the
country, and the moral sense Of the
country Is now being awakened to
the importance of purifying politics.
"The Commoner will do its part
In aiding every movement that has
for its object the ascertainment of
the will of the people and the scrup-
ulous enforcement of that will.
"The Commoner will also furnish
all the information that it can upon
the questions which are before the
public to the end that its readers
may be prepared to render the max
ium of assistance to every worthy
cause.
"Who will be the first to make
this pledge7 A record will be kept
IN The Commoner office of the
name and address Of each person
who enters into this movement.
Those who desire to be enrolled can
either write approving the object of
the organization, and asking to have
their names entered on the roll. or
they can fIi out and mail the blank
which IS printed below.
"The Commoner will be pleased
to publish limited number Of brief
letters on this subject. Mr.. Bryan
is encouraged by his correspond.
encs 90 believe that there Will be a
prompt and hearty response to the
above proposition"
THE PRIMARY PLEDGE.
Z promise 20 attend 100 the primaries Of
my party 20 be held between now and The
| next Democratic National Convention. un.
less unavoida5ly prevented and 10 use my
influence io secure clear. honest and
straightforward declaration Of tbe party s.
position on every question upon which The
voters RI party desire to speak
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Fosioihce .................... ......
State