The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1908-10-29
DUTY Of
DEMOCRATS
To VOTE
STATE CHAIRMAN THOMPSON
URGES HIS PARTY TO GO
TO POLLS.
REPUBLICANS PLAN
POLITICAL AMBUSH
Would luIl Democrats into Belief that
State is Certainly Democratic,
Thereby Inducing Thousands to Stay
Away from the Polls.

shawnee. Okla. oct 26.--"There Is
but one duty left for the democrats OF
oklahoma In the present campaign.
and that is to see that the democratic
votes are all cast" said Chairman j.
! B Thompson in an interview today.
This is duty which rests with the
Individual voters OF the party.
The state and county organizations
iave done their work and done 1t
Sell. \ campaign Of decency and cuu-
cetlon has been conducted before the
people of Oklahoma, as a result of
which several thousand former ropub.
lean and Independent voters will sup
port the democratic national and stais
ticket. All party dissensiuns between
democrats have been eliminated, and
'hG democracy Of Oklahoma presents
solid 'front.' to the foe. II full vote
~ registered next Tuesday the demo
cratic party will have a larger major
ty than was shown in either OF the
:wo former statewide campaigns.
Every democrat in Oklahoma
should remember. however. that no
natter how strong his faith in the
principles OF the party. how enthusias-
:ic his admiration for Bryan, or ardent
lis desire for democratic success that
ais faith, his admiration and his de-
sire will count for nothing unless he
exercises his right as an American cit
zen and goes TO the polls TO vote.
This Is a duty which must be eX.
.rcised by every individual in order
% make elections an actual reflection
1f the will of the people. 1t is a
iuty which cannot be delegated and
should not be neglected.
"The management OF the republican
campaign in Oklahoma realized at the
Inception OF the fight that in order
- win this ptate they must accom-
oiish one OF two things; either win
democrats 10 vote the republican tick
-, or devise some method which
would cause democrats TO stay away
rom the polls and fail to vote. The
candidates and principles of the two
parties made It evident from the first
| sUdA uO utlilbNl ats 'buAl bf AHAhN'h
his fall TO vote the republican ticket,
so the cunning political tricksters OF
he republican party laid their plans
y bring about the alternative condi-
| ions. Realizing that the heaviest
| democratic vote of the state is in tho
Red river region and southwestern
/ oklahoma and embraced largely In the
| attn congressional district, their first
move to induce democrats to stay
iway from the polls was TO leave the
| democratic congressman from that
district without opposition for re-elec-
.ton. Realizing that Chief Justice
| Williams had strong personal follow
ng among the democrats in the south
srn and southeastern parts OF the state,
| hey failed to nominate a candidate
against him for reelection, in the hope
hat by so doing his friends might be
Kept from active participation in the
light. Following out this idea, the
republicans failed 10 nominate can
iidates in about thirty OF the repre-
sentati and Material districts in
he southern part of the state where
the democratic vote is heaviest. The
purpose sought was TO arouse as little
interest in the heavy democratic cen
ers as possible. BY leaving the con-
grsssonal, state and legislative can
idates of the democratic party with
out opposition for reelection, the re-
publican managers hoped TO bring
about condition OF l?thargy. among
democrats which would keep large
numbers of them from going to the
polls. With this accomplished, and a
vigorous campaign in the northern
portion OF the state. where the vote
between the two parties Is more equal
| ly divided, the republican managers
believed that they would be able to
carry the state, or at least greatly
reduce the democratic majority.
Whether or not they will be able
to carry out this cunning political
plot. remains absolutely in the hands
Of the individual democratic voters OF
Oklahoma TO determine. II the in
terest OF the Oklahoma democrats In
the success pf the national party,
VIXEN for the first time in twelve years
victory is within their grasp, Is not
sufficient to bring every democratic
voter 10 the polls, then this republi-
can scheme may be successful. II the
faith in the principles OF pure dem
locracy is not strong enough in the
breasts of Oklahoma democrats in
cause them to cast their ballots for
the success OF their party the hope
o. the republican managers may be
realized II the gratitude, the affec-
ton and the admiration which the
democrats OF Oklahoma. above all
other people, owe TO William Jen'