Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-15
THE DESERTER

~ INCE William Randolph Hearst
n deserted the Democratic party,
~ for the temporary disruption of
which he was mainly responsible, he
has occupied himself with the inven-
ton of excuses for his action. He
knows as well as he knows his own
name--and that is saying a good deal,
for he manages to get his name into
print oftener than any other human
being who ever lived and was not
really great-that his conduct toward
the Democratic party has been gov
erned and is now governed by his per-
sonal ambition. If he had found there
was the slightest disposition on the
part of the Democratic party to give
him the undeserved honors for which
he has been pining ever since he came
of age, he would have been a Demo-
have been a Democrat IN name. In re-
atty he has never been anything more
than selfish individual, without any
thoughts except thoughts for that in
dividual. When the Democratic party
did not think fit to offer a nomination
for the presidency to a man who will
be remembered in history as the only
American who ever dared to revile and
defile a chief executive of the United
States, he promptly began to think out
ways and means of capturing a presi-
Dental nomination. We say "he began
to think" but take it for granted
that our readers know that Hearst
keeps a thought factory, manned by
laborers in the thinking industry, who
are prepared to produce thoughts for
their master at his bidding. Because
the Democrats and the Republicans
alike are at one in their estimation of
Mr.. Hearst he declares his indepen-
dence of both parties. Neither is good
enough for him.
He says: ct declare that the earnest
citizens DESTROYS of honest elections
waste their votes when they vote for
either one Of the old parties 1
repeat that the business man, the
working man, the farmer. the reformer,
the typical American citizen, waste
their votes when they vote for the old
parties and not when they vote for
the independence party"
If we were disposed to take Hearst
seriously we would ask why do Ameri-
can citizens waste their votes when
they vote for known candidates who
represent principles with which all
voters are more or less familiar? When
a man is a Republican We know what
he is and what he represents and what
his party will do to the country if it
remains in power. and with clear
conscience and without hesitation we
vote against him.
When a man is a Democrat we know
what he is and what he represents and
that his party when returned to power
will endeavor to restore Democracy
and Americanism to this republic, will
give the citizens a reasonable guaran-
tee of regular employment and full
dinner pail and will work for the
greatest good for the greatest num-
Der and for the emancipation of
two million child slaves who should be
attending school and not toiling in
factories, mills and mines. But when
alIs said and done, and in spite of
declarations and protests, what is an
independence party man? He supports
Hearst A few other citizens and a
million dollars also support Hearst. III
dollars could vote there would be hope
for the success of the independence
party. At present it is a mirage on
the political horizon, and it will not
befool Democrats.