The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1909-11-10
AN EARNEST TALK WITH
DEMOCRATS.

Admist all the Democratic victories OF
the State. where Republican strong
holds were either broken up or the
majorities greatly reduced, Ohio coun-
ty remains practically the same. Her
Democrats seem to have hung their
harps upon the willows. Alone we
stand amidst Democratic triumphs.
There seems to be lack OF courage,
energy, enthusiasm or the prevalence
OF some unfortunate condition which
brings about this result. There is ev-
identity something wrong politically In
the Democratic ranks of our county.
Just VIVA, this is, let us pause a mo-
ment to consider--or guess.
Time was when Ohio county went
Democratic by large majorities. A
nomination was equivalent to cleo
ton. That was about twenty years
ago. Since then the Republicans have
been steadily gaining until political
conditions are now reversed. There
must be some cause for this change.
We can hardly believe there has been
any widespread or radical change In
our political complexion. Surely all
the people who have moved away
we're not Democrats and all who have
moved into our county were not Re-
publicans, Ia this length Of time.
Then what is the trouble? Where lies
the remedy?
Let us be plain about this matter
among ourselves, even If the public
does hear what we have to say. Dem
ocratfc principles are just the same
We have nothing to conceal from
anybody. We should all, as true Dem
ocrats, work for the common good of
the party. Surely We all desire po-
litical supremacy and success, or we
would not be voting as we do. There
is no room and this is not the place
for chickering's or selfish ambitions. w
must haze a united party if we would
succeed at any time in the future.
OF course all parties and their men,
bers are susceptible to mistakes. HUI
man nature is the same in politics as
in the everyday affairs If life. ~
true party or layman will deny this.
Then let us say, as becomes political
patriots and loyal party men, that
mistakes have been made by the DEM
ocrats of Ohio county in. the conduct
of their party affairs. Otherwise,
what must we assign as the cause of
our continued defeats? We firmly be-
lieve that Ohio county is Democratic
under normal conditions. We must
cease to assume to profit by the mis-
takes of the Republican managers and
rather seek to make our own party in
vulnerable, if possible.
The first move in the premises
would seem to be complete party re-
organization. This should be ac-
quiesced in by all true Democrats. An
by reorganization we do not mean to
utter a word Of disparagement or cast
a shade Of reflection upon the honest
and true Democrats who have mad
charge Of party affairs in recent ~
years agone. But the reorganization
would undoubtedly help. Then our
men,when nominated, should wear the
full party insignia, the word Demo
cratic" prominently displayed on their
cards aud blazoned forth in every
move they make. There should be
no subtcrfuge Of any kind to gain
votes, nothing to muddy the political
waters. The affairs of the party
should be entrusted to men of known
political ability and prestige, men who
are popular with and well known TO
the masses. There are plenty of DEM
ocrats OF this kind in Ohio county VIII
have not been called to the political
directorate. The displacement of 9TH
er men for these would reflect in 10
way upon the personality or prestige
Of their predecessors.
More interest should be taken by all
Democrats in the success of their
party. No cause will succeed without
enthusiastic supporters. Too many
Democrats stay away from the polls
at every election recently. There is
an old adage that it is sometimes nee
essary to fight the devil with his own
implemcnt-fire. We might employ
some of the tactics of the Republicans
those methods which would stand
the test Of public scrutiny-in prose-
cutting "A canvass. We will not name
these methods, as the opportunities
develop during campaign and es-
pecially during the closing days. Eter-
nal vigilance is not only the price of
liberty but the shibboleth of every
successful political party. The SOL
der who sleeps OH his arms must ex-
pect surprises-and defeats.
There are other things which might
et...,-