The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-04-08
An Earnest Plea For
a United Party

- AA4NS0
We have been prone to lean conf
IDENTIFY upon the democracy or the
Tampa Tribune as strong, support
ing rock-staunch, immoyable, thor
Oughly dependable. Judge then, the
dismay occasioned by its criticism of
the democrats in congress who bolt
ed the policy of their party's caucus.
After printing the names of the bolt
ers, our much esteemed Tampa con-
temporary makes these remarks:
Despite the storm or criticism from
democratic sources which has visited
these gentlemen. the Tribune aonereS
TO its previously expressed opinion
that they were thoroughly jusufable
in pursuing the course which their
own good judgments dictated in this
matter; and they do not deserve TO
lose one iOta of their record for loyal
ty to party by reason Of their vote
Members of congress are supposed to
be guided by the interests of their
constituents as well as of their party.
These particular members have much
TO ask of the republican majority, and,
at the present outlook, they will re-
main in that position for years to
come. Are they to permit their dis
tricts to suffer, tie industries of their
people to be destroyed, through
policy of stubborn opposition to every
proposition advanced by the dominant
party, right or wrong?
And Congressman Clark, who such
short while ago gained the esteem and
admiration of every FIoridian, of every
southern man, by his fiery defiance of
the contemplate eX-Attorney General
Bonaparte, demanding a thorough in
vestigation of the peOnage charges
made against the people of Florida IN
order that BonapaTte might stand
condemned before the people and the
fair name of his state be protected.
Is it possible, as we learn by Wash
ington dispatches, that he, too, for the
sake of a petty, selfish and at the same
time almost ChimeTical advantage
would abandon allegiance to the prin-
cipIes of his party and sail alone on
the aIluring sea of expedtency?
The Tribune must know, and Clark
must know that the one thing most
needed by the democrats is an iron
bound organization, a perfect unity of
purpose and long fight, strong
fight. A fight all together. They can
not be so blind as not to see the gold
en- opportunity within the party's
reach if its members will fight Shout
der to shoulder with the solid, spear
hristling front of the Macedonian pha-
lan6.
How then, is it possible for the
Tribune to plead justification for the
boIters because, forsoOth, their lack
of party loyalty may secure for their
constituents some small taste from
the tariff fieshpOts after they have
been licked almost clean by the hon
ored guests at the unhallowed feast?
The Tribune is a great and strong de-
mocratic journal and we confess our
inability to comprehend its weak po-
sitiOn-
As for Congressman Clark, his def
ance of his party and his party's plat
form is equally impossible to under
stand. 1t is not like him. 1t is not
like any Of the southern representa-
tives who have acquired a name for
stern adherence TO party principle IN
the face OF every vicissitude. 1t Is
impossible to sympathize with him,
however greatly we have admired
much of his conduct in the past It
is difficult to pardon his erratic out
hurst. We can only insist upon a
united party which would surely
bring a future result of such great
good to the country that the paltry
ADVANTAGES to be gained by compro-
mise with exped1ency would pale into
utter insignificance beside it.
The Journal turns with pleasure to
the following words of loyalty and
wisdom which appeared the other day
in the Jacksonville Times-Union:
There was never a better opportun-
ity than now for passing revenue
tariff bill through the houSe-that IS,
if every democrat would remember
the declaration OF the Denver conVen-
ton and live up to it. The republican
majority is not large, and there are