The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-18

On septembsr s there was a conference OF
up State Democrats held az Albany. II was
hurrJedly assembled In response TO a call oe-
clarinR that the situation Of the Democratic
party Of the state Of New York at the present
moment Il without parallel and IL Ia In a high
degree discredltable to Itself and dangerous
70 the country" II was held for the purpose
OF taking whatever action seems most ef-
fective In the present emergency 10 prevent
the completion Of tho corrupt deal whlch
is contemplated. including the sale OF the
Democratic name and organization, A night
20 the nntsh for the preservation OF Demo
cratic principles and Democratic honor"
Representatives were present from nearly
every upstate county, and had there been
ample notice and suficIcnt time for prepara-
ton the list would have been complete. Inc
newspapers have informed the public as TO
the character and enthusiasm OF the gather
inR-One Of the most remarkable In the po-
fitical history OF the State. The conference
was presided over by Edward M. Shepard.
ESQ, OF Brooklyn and z. H.. kitchener OF
Bin was secretary. Addresses were
made by District Attorney william Travers
Jerome Of New York, eX-Mayor Thomas M.
Osborne Of Auburn and the Hon. John N.
Carlisle Of Watertown. The following reso-
buttons were presented by Henry A. Richmond
Of Buffalo, William Church Osborne OF Garrl-'
son and Edward P. Lynch Of 0gdensburs ana
unanimously adopted:
Resolred, That Democrats should organize
and repudlate boss rule in every form. ana
especially efforts, from any direction to obtain
control Of the party organization by pur-
chase, by Intimidation or by hired agents.
That the principles OF the party require
unfinching opposition to protectiontsm' so
cialism aud imperialism.
We recognize the right and the ability
of the people to regulate and control public
Sne.eaata In fhta Qtafa hut we resent any
effort to commit the party to a soclalistio
position or to dictate the policy OF the Demo-
cratic party.
That policy should he the outcome OF a
full and untrammelled expression OF the
opinions OF the party n open convention
assembled.
RssolreL, That a committee OF I'VE be APP
pointed by the Chair. with the power 10 all
vacancies. to lay before the Democrats OF
every county the principles above expressed.
The Undersigned were duly appointed by
the Chair to serve al such committee, ana
in accordance with the above resolution we
addr ess the Democrats OF every county.
TIE ADDRESS.
To all oWy felLov Democrats:
We send you a copy OF the proceedings
OF the Albany conference. We ask you TO
read the addresses made there and weigh
carefully the facts and arguments OF the
speakers.
since September S the situation in the
State has changed greatly for the better.
There has been aroused a renewed spirit
of hopefulness among Democrats, a BELIEF
that the action which threatened to split the
party will not be taken.
The Independence League has held its con =
vention and nominated its ticket, and has
asked Jefferson Democrats and Lincoln Re-
publicans whoever they may bel TO, support
IL. There was presented at that convention
| a petition from a number OF men. calm
themselves, Democrats, proposing that there
should be a conference between the managers
Of the Independence League and the Demo-
cratic convention looking toward fusion"
Now fusion" by which two political parties
unite upon the same candidates usually
means a sacrifice Of political principles by
both sides for the chance of temporary sue
cesa. It always ia and must be a m
failure, for IL cannot be inspiring to the mem
bers OF either party, inasmuch rs one or the
other Ia sure in the end TO be betrayed. A
candidate for Office. or in ONCE, cannot be-
long to two parties At once. and sooner or
later he must choose bet ween them.
There Ia no reason whatever why the Demo-
cratic party should be betrayed into fusion.
II has principles and should proclaim them
IL has plenty Of men At TO be named for the
state offces TO be filled at this election. Let
II place them in nomination. Still less should
the Democratic party submit to being an
nexed by a movement originated for the per-
sonal exploiting OF one man. however worthy
or worthless the movement and whatever
tho character OF the man.
Moreover, 10 is understood that a number
Of delegates TO the Democratic convention
rec eived lnSSrfotions upon the express pledge
that the independence League would not
place In nomination a full State ticket. That
pledge has been violated. and the delegates
elected with that understanding are certainly
absolved from any further action in accord
ance Herewith.
The Democratic party. il il is 20 be a party
worthy Of respect and ft to be trusted with
power. must remain free and independent.
true 10 the best traditions Of its past. firm in
its faith and hope for the future. II must be
ready to follow its true leaders but sub
servient 10 no boss. It must fight the
nRht OF the people against corruption. against
unIa wful AKRregations Of wealth and power
against all forms OF unprincipled monopoly
and special privilege. But it cannot fight
it's fight II II destroys itself by merging lis
identity into that Of another party. even
temporarily.
Fellow Democrats. are you doing your
duty2 Are you speaking out frankly and
boldly? Are you trying to strengthen the
weak. hearten the discouraged. fight the
~traitorsp Are you doing what you can Il
make your party the strong, vigorous. aggres-
sive party that it should be? Why should
you complain OF the party's course II you
are not doing your share Of the work?
The time is short In which TO act, but much
may be done In a short time. See your dele
gaIss 10 the Buffalo convention. II you
can't see them. write TO them. Let then
know the opinions of the Democratic voter'
whom they are to represent. Let then
understand that they are merely trustees fol
their party and responsible TO the party fol
their action. That they must stand FOL
Democratic principles and Democratic candi
dates. II the party can be kept true to III
course we believe II to be on the eve Of
great victory. Our political adversaries ar'
divided by the bitterest factional differences
Whatever votes the Independence Leagu
may draw will be drawn partly from boil
parties. but principally from that uncertain
element which IL always ready to try some
thing new and has no fixed political princi
pies OF any kind. They will not ~interfer
with the success OF the Democratic ticket
We have the cha nee OF a generation: Let u
not throw IL away by our own indifference
and folly.
N. z. HAVEN. Onondaga county.
HENRY A. RICHMOND, Erie county.
HoBERT A. WIDENMANN, R0ckland county
CHARLEs A. LUX, Wayne county
EREnHRVCK NJ GNaVTu MOnrno rOMUNV