The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-09-28
Party Organization.

In republican form of government, such
as ours, political parties are, in the very
nature of the case, a necessity. 1t would
be impossible to conceive of government
By the people, in which parties are not
formed. Men of like convictions are nat
urally brought together, in order to pro-
mote that which they think is for the best
interests Of the country, and to oppose that
which they believe would be hurtful. As
long as men hold different views upon pub
ic questions, so long will there be political
parties, rejecting these different views.
Now we go a step further and say, that
just as political parties are necessary for
the permanency and well-being of repub
lican form of government, so is organiza
ton necessary for the permanency and well
being of political party within such form
of government The fact is, nothing
worthy of note can be accomplished, So
cially, enthusiastically or politically without
organization 1t seems to be the fad,
nowadays, to disparage organization, and
especially political organization, and to
emphasize the virtue of independence in
politics.
The community has the greatest respect
for the independent man, the man who
thinks for himself, who has convictions Of
his own, and dares to maintain them. But
even so good man as this, must have his
intelligence discounted, if he imagines he
can accomplish anything single handed and
alone.
Men act as independents in politics, for
various reasons Most of them, we hope |
and believe, from high, patriotic motives. |
A large number of men, however, parade
themselves as independents, to crafty their |
personal vanity. They know more then
other people; more, indeed, than all others
combined They are more virtuous than |
their fellows, and would feel themselves
Inundated to be associated with the com
mon herd, in political organization.
Then there are great many good men,
well-neaning men, honest men, who take |
no interest in politics because, as they say,
''there is so much corruption in politics. -
But why, we ask is there so much corrup-
ton in politics?
Certainly there is no e50essity for it.
Why, it is simply because these very men
who hold up their hands in holy Noff,,f, at !
the thought of political corruption. r'ssase |
to take any part in political affairs nevcs
attend primary or do anything to shape J
political thought in the community in which |
they live. They use no effort to make
things of which they complain better.
Some one has said, and the expression
is true and forcible, that corruption in
politics is due more to the good men who
are out Of politics than 70 the bad men who
are in politics.
1t is the duty of every citizen to take an
interest in politics, and to cast his infu
ence for that which he considers for the
best interests of the country, and that he
may do so effectively, he must co-opererate
vita = political organization, and work
with it. IF it is not all chat he would like
it to be, let him Try to make it better.
Some people have the foolish idea that
good man cannot touch politics without
becoming contaminated, and have his good
name soiled. There is neither reason nor
common sense in such proposition. No
man discharges his moral duty, his duty to
God, who neglects his duty to his country.
In the discharge of duty to church or
state, men accomplish little who are not
allied with some organization. And if he
is an honest man, he will connect himself
with that organization which best reflects
his views, not because it is perfect, for no
human organization is perfect, but because
it contains most of that for which he de-
sires to stand as a citizen
We believe the principles of the Demo
cratic party, enumerated By Jefferson a
century ago, are best suited to the govern
ment of free people. And we appeal to
Democrats everywhere and in every cam
paign, to stand solidly with their party
organization, against the high tariff, the
oppressive trusts, the swollen monopoies,
and other impurities which have been
brought into existence, and fostered and
fed by the Republican party, at the ex
pense of the great masses of the people