The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-03-27
ITS .VpocRAcY EXPOSED.

At IRE GE al Nau4ArA on me auAA
versary Of the Commoner's birth, Civ.
en- by rhe Democrats Of Chattanooga
Hon. Robt f. Lee Mounfcastle. Of
Knoxville. made a notable speech. Is
peciaLv was Ne forcible and eloquent
in criticism Of the State Committee 5
course in refusing to accede 10 the de
naands OF the party and call a direct
primary This sentiment was gener-
ously applauded. Mr.. Mountcastle I'M
masked he hypoeracy and exposed
the fraud Of the State committe IS
course in endorsing Bryan" and at
the time stunning WITH scorn his mos,
cherished idea Of refOrm,-the right
OF the people to select their public
servants. MIR. Mountcastle is the
Tennessee member of the National
Democratic Committee and his words
deserve the thoughtful consideration
Of every Democrat who Is concerned
for the future welfare Of his party.
Touching the action OF the committee,
Mr.. Mountcastle said:
The only serious rift in the lutte or
democratic sentiment and breaking
away from the ideas of Mr.. Bryan In
regard thereto, is found unfortunately
in our own state, where a majority OF
our own state executive committee
has seen proper, though representa-
tives Of the people and not Of a par
ticular candidate, to obstruct the cur
rent Of the peoples will as to a general
primary and to have provided sys-
tenn without precedent in the annals
of party management in this state, and
one which, IL generally adopted, must
prove subversive of popular govern /
ment. Never in the history OF this
state have the voters Of the democrat |
ic party been deprived of the right
of electing the delegates to their state |
convention, which convention makes !
the platform of the state democracy, !
and in which, therefore, the people
have the most vital interest; and they
are likewise deprived of the right OF
selection of delegates to a state con-
vention, which in turn shall elect del
egates to the national convention at
Denver, where the platform OF the ma
tional democracy is made.
THUS the democratic voter of Ten
nessee is deprived of having his voice
heard either in person or by repre-
sentatives in the making Of the demo-
cratic platform of his state or Of the
nation. II such plan should be ex-
tended to the democratic party of all
the states, national platform could
be prepared for the democratic party
in which there would be no individual
voter who had, at any stage thereof,
any part whatever And it is especially
to be regretted that this action Of the
of the state committee,
against the express wishes of the peo-
Die, has occurred in year when the
democratic party and its great leader
s standing for popular government
iirectly by the people. And yet the
committee announces, as given to the
press, that in its resolutions, there
vas practically an endorsement OF
Nr. Bryan This practical endorse l
nent' of Mr. Bryan in words, while
his principles, is sugges-
i've OF the story of the cashier OF G
,ank. who having squandered all the
,ank's assets. called the directors to- q
,ether, and after stating very compla- Q
emily what he had done, suggested T
lis willingness to have his body cut |
I'D into pieces for division among the q
directors and stockholders. What
lid he saw asked an old, rather deaf L
irector of another. It was explained. u
laid the old director, rising. Well, / p
m in favor of accepting the PROPOSE G
ion, and want to speak now for his
all 81
Such is the latest, and we hope II
he last, evolution OF machine politics,
nd the people should observe care "
nlly Tin view of the statement Of Mr.. p
ryan that delegates may be attempt D
d to be selected unfavorable to him W
{ Denver, seen though under instruc- is
lon for him from the states) the per- Il
onnel of candidates who may offer K
themselves from the various congress q
lOnal districts as such delegates" I