The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-04-07
The Primary pledge.

and by personal effort, is moving for the
organization of the democratic party on a
plan that will voice the prevailing senti.
ment of the party and represent definite
policy, placing it on adifferent footing
from that of the last campaign. when the
party was in the hands of the so-called
conservatives, and represented little of
any particular moment in the way of
policy, being in reality mere party of
opposition.
Mr.. Bryan does not call the movement
one of reorganization, as he says the
party does not need recognizing, there
being no factional division calling for sep
arate effort. but is to get back to the peo-
pie, to put the radical and progressive
element in more complete control. that
there may be united. harmonious effort
for the campaign of 1908. The purpose
lis to begin at the bottom. letting the rank
and file have voice in the National Con-
vention by writing the platform at home
for the National Convention to ratify
The conservatives dominated the last
national convention, aud the party met
with worse defeat than ever before, in.
dicating that the rank and file OF. the
voters are for progression and radicalism.
The plan as embraced in the primary
pledge is outlined by the following edi-
torial, published in recent issue of the
Commoner:
"Mr. Bryan has been in receipt of a
multitude of letters since the election
urging organization for the campaign Of
1908. The rank and file of the party are
ready to begin the fight; they only await
a plan of cooperation. This plan has
been under consideration for some weeks
and is herewith submitted
LET each democrat pledge himself to
attend all of the primaries Of his party to
be held between now aud the next DEM
ocratic national convention, unless un.
avoidably prevented, and to use his in
fluence to secure a clear, honest and
straightforward declaration Of the party's
position on every question upon which the
voters Of the party desire to speak. This
plan does not involve the writing of a
platform in advance of the primaries; it
does not rest upon the paramount import
ance Of any one issue. It recognizes the
right of the democratic voters to control
the policy of the democratic party, and to
determine its position upon public ques-
tons. 1t also recognizes the importance
Of honesty and sincerity in politics
"This 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 bad
platform-that is question which each
must determine for himself-but it does
mean that the democratic platform shall
give voice 10 the prevailing sentiment of
the democratic party, and that the party
shall take the country into its confidence
The pledge proposed is primary pledge
because the people speak at the pri-
maries. The national convention is at
tended by delegates and each delegate
represents tens of thousands of demo-
Gratis. The state convention is also at
tended by delegates, and these represent
thousands of democrats. The county
conventions are, as a 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 suf-
iciently advanced, o time can be set for
the meeting of the members in their
various localities. TIE members of this
organization, while pledged to but one
lthing-nauely, attendance upon the pri
maries-are urged to CO operate among
themselves for the support of every effort
put forth to eliminate corruption in pol
itics. No cause can prosper permanently
that does not appeal to 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 peo-
pie and the scrupulous enforcement OF
that will 1t will also furnish all the in,
formation that it can upon the questions
which are before the public to the end
that is readers may be prepared to render
the maximum of assistance to every
worthy cause.
"A record will be kept in The Com.
moner odice at Lincoln, Neb.. of this
name and address Of each person who
enters into this movement. Those who
desire to be enrolled can write approving
the object of the organization and ask te
have their names entered on the roll"
The pledge which those approving the
move are asked to sign reads: II promise
to attend all the primaries of my party "a
be held between now aud the next demo
cratic national convention, unless un.
avoidably prevented. and to use my in.
fuence to secure clear, honest and
straightforward declarations Of the party's
position on every question upon which