The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-04-16
An Appeal to the Voters.

| w iliidun SnTlSnlan appear 10 the
Democratic voters gives rise to sew
eral suggestions. I am not going
to criticise William Chrisman far
from it. I am rather in sympathy
with his claims set forth in his APP
peal, and so far as this communica-
ton is concerned, the die will have
been cast, the result announced,
and the candidate nominated for
Representative, before it can be
printed. But the lesson still re-
mains, and the inferences drawn
from his appeal cannot be mistak-
Ell. Mr. Crisman infcrs as a weak
ening of Columbia County's demo-
cracy, and as means of republi-
can ascendency, by the long con-
tinuation of one man in office, un-
der customary usages of turns or
rotation. or equal division of honors
conferred upon our party leaders
by the democracy of Columbia
County. l cannot but take diff
ferent view from Mr.. Chrisman' S
way of reasoning. remember old
Jake Eyerly, whom the party lead
ers tried to unhorse for ever so
many years, and yet the democratic
majority increased steadily until
Columbia county was known all
over the state as the banner demo-
cratic county.
But what is democracy? Why
are we democrats? Democracy
stands for something. l take it
that a democrat is democrat from
principle. Not tor off e. No true
democrat will forsake his party be
cause he has been politically disap-
pointed, either by not receiving a
nomination or being defeated at
the general election after a nomina
ton. The constituency of any
electorate may not have the same
good opinion of us, as we ourselves
riay have. They may have claims
above the mere favor of bestowing
an Office on some aspirant or favor
lite, whom they may not exactly
trust to represent their interests,
or work in their interest. Because
a candidate is defeated is net evil
dence that he is unworthy or un-
trustworthy. The time has at last
come when the electorate will con-
suit their own interest, rather than
tho interest of those seeking office.
Then again, democracy is right in
principle 1t contends for equal
rights for all and special privileges
for none. But in case an official
renders services so highly satisfac-
tory to the people that they de-
mand his continuation in Office
without interruption, l can see no.
thing unfair about it, if he consents
to serve them.
Every person has right to COM
pete in the race for nomination,
and if the many termed man is sue
cessful, is only an additional proof
that he has rendered full and COM
pete satisfaction to his constituent
cy, who continue to favor him for
his honesty and integrity. am
of the opinion that no man in Col
umbia county or elsewhere, will
voluntarily yield to turns, if his
constituency continue to demand
his services. 1t is mark of great
honor for any man TO be so highly
distinguished that his fellow citi-
zens have implicit confidence in
him as incorruptible and unpur-
chaseable. The people are not
looking after the man so much, as
they are looking where to get the
most satisfactory services. Anoth-
er case in point is veteran demo-
crat in Bloomsbury who has render
ed, not only the democratic party
but the people of Columbia county,
better and more valuable services
than any other man who ever pre-
tended to be public servant, and
yet he has auffered defeat at the
hands of his party, when in point
of ability he stood head and should
ers above his competitors.
Such men never think of forsak-
ink the principles of justice and
right if they never succeed to OBJ
tain a place of preferment, holding
the prin,ip and traditions of the
fathers, of far greater value than
perishable party honor, or political
preferment. o. N. D.