The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-01-22

Gratis.
In the monarchies the people are
divided into two classes-sovereigns
and subjects. The kings constitute the
sovereigns and all others are subjects.
When our forefathers threw OFF the
British yoke they decided that polt-
ically speaking there should be but
one class Of people among us-that we
would have no subjects and that all
citizons should be sovereigns. This
sovereignty of the people has no de'
gross. differences or distinctions. but
is equally vested in each citizen lhe
uoorest. the weakest and humblest'
stands upon an equality and Is as
much vested with sovereignty as the
richest. the strongest and the most
prominent. That this is right in prin'
ciple cannot be denied. The strong
the rich and the influential can pro
tect themselves. 1t is the weak, the
moor and the humble that need the
arm Of the law for their refuge and
defense. When statehood comes the
attitude which the Democratic party
assumes upon this question VIII de-
termine It's defeat or triumph In the
future state. While the majority OF
the voters in Oklahoma and Indian Ter
riory are democratic in sentiment II
will not begin TO do to assume that
we will can or would carry the state
regardless of the principles which we
advocate or the antecedents and en-
yIroAments OF the candidates upon
our ticket. There are over one hun
dred and fifty thousand voters In In
dian Territory. Many thousands OF
these have never voted in state etec'
ton and do not today know how they
will cast their maiden votes. 1t has
been some time since the rest OF our
voters. have participated in state
elestion and II is safe to say that par
ty lines are lying very loosely upon
their shoulders. AS rule our people
are reading everything that they can
get their hands on which has the sem
blance of reason about II. They are
not only doing this but they are dis
cussing what they read. 1t Is the
brave and hopeful people who go into
new country and blaze out roads,
cut down trees grub up stumps, blast
out rocks, conquer the Wilderness
build houses and cities and establish
civilization It is the brave and hope
full people who rule this world and
make 1t better, brighter and happier
for their having lived in 1t. 1t is the
brave and hopeful people who VIII
not submit TO dictation from any
source. but who think and act for
themselves Our people are well In
formed with reference to current eV-
ents and the trend Of public affairs.
They are determined that no advan-
tage shall be given to any interest IN
the new state and that no honest and
useful class shall be Disseminated
against. They have their minds made
IN to take an active personal interest
in the settlement Of public questions
and in the nomination Of all candi'
dates II we desire their support no
attempt must be made TO stihe their
voice. This Is right, for no man can
Justly call himself a Democrat who
would thwart the will of the people
II We must succeed we must recognize
and adapt ourselves TO conditions as
they exist. Depend upon IT, my
friends, that the people Of the new
state are going to demand bottom
facts and plain arguments. They are
going to look to substance rather than
To forms; they are going to be govern
ed by principles rather than by names.
They are going to demand the nom
ination Of candidates whose lives
have been consistent and in harmony
with their election purposes. These
are the conditions which we must
meet II we would succeed, This Is
what Thomas jefferson meant when
he wrote in the Declaration of lnde'
pendence that governments derive
their power from the consent Of the
governed Strike down the sovereign
ty Of the citizen and you destroy the
ideal OF democracy. Thomas Jefferson
and Andrew Jackson were abused as
though they we're picl1pockets and
sneak thieves. They were denounced
as demagogues, anarchists, lunatics
and Jacobins because they advocated
these views. But they trusted the peo-
pie and In turn they were trusted by
the people. They bravely faced, fought
and defeated combinations Of power
and money which were apparently in
yinclble and who hated and sought 70
destroy the power of the people and