The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-11-22
PRUNING up roR rHE PRIMARY.

Some weeks ago. in talk at a bar
nuet OF Oklahoma Democrats. a repre-
sentative Of the Express voiced tn
opinion that 1t is not the duty Of tn
Democratic press in the coming cam
palgn to select the party nominees bu
instead, that duty was up to the Demo
cratic voters.
Just at this moment the spirit moves
us TO give some reasons for the faith
within us as to this particular mat
ter. With one candidate for governor
openly in the field and bees Of all
sorts buzzing promiscuously through
out the length and breadth Of the
state. the proposition becomes q. peril
nent one to consider at this time
It is not our purpose TO dogmatize
on the subject for we recognize
grounds for large amount Of honest
difference Of opinion. It must be con-
fessed that there are some very fine
points that arise in this discussion
and whatever view we take, there is
no reason for holding that those who
don't agree with us are fools or luna
tics. We simply express our own
views and these viii govern the Ex-
press.
We cheerfully concede the right of
any editor to advocate any political
views or pursue any policies that he
conscience dictates. These viii de-
pend chiefly upon the mental make up
Of the Amoulder Of public opinion"
We have newspapers independent,
Republican and Democratic and num-
erous other brands Take your choice,
but we happen to be of the kind which
holds to those political principles and
policies that are known as Democratic
In a word, it agrees with our religion
and politics to publish a Democratic
organ" We are well aware of the
fact that it is a custom with certain
self-admired and self-cannonized para
gons of political virtue to refer with
gleeful contempt to the political or.
gan An examination of those iourn-
ais that view the organs with so
much condescension, however, gener-
ally reveals the fact that 1t Is simply |
case Of the pot calling the kettle
black. They are organs OF the editors
own wisdom, or somebody else's. Be
tween a personal organ and a party
organ, it agrees with constitution best
to be the latter We believe that SO
long as the party system prevails and
that will be a mighty long there
Is legitimate and necessary place for
party press advocate, and SO long as
we adhere To the view that the prin-
7iclples and policies of the Democratic
party make for the best government,
we expect TO be a Democratic organ, :,
unfolding the Democratic party and
doing all in our power to advance its
interests.
And that brings us, brethren, after
considerable meandering, back to the
main point in this discourse, i. e., the
duty OF the Democratic press in the
campaign We believe that
the policy pursued by the party paper,
while the contest for nominations is
pending should be governed BY the
welfare Of the party rather than by the
interests Of the politicians. Remem-
Der We are speaking now with refer
ence to the party paper. not the per
sonal organ What does the best inter
ests Of the party demand. during a pri-
mary campaign, more than full and i'm
partial information concerning all can
for the guidance of the voter
In making his selections? viii the
voter get fair and impartial informa-
tion from the newspaper that assumes
the role Of advocate for this candidate
or The other2 Not SO long as human
nature IS what It Is; an advocate will
be an advocate: a violent champion of
one candidate cannot see the bright
and shining virtues Of that candidates
opponent
And therefore it is our contention 4
hat 1t is not the duty Of the Democrat
e papers 10 attempt to dictate to he
Democratic voters whom they shall /
shoose for any office, but rather is it I
heir duty to lay before the people
he data which will enable them to
ELECT wisely. It isn't an easy thing /
Or an editor to do this; the tempta. /
ion TO thrust his own conclusions up-
"a bis readers IS very strong indeed;
'ut II he bears in mind the princinIe z
( party welfare rather than personal Z
las, he can do justice to ALL We
elieye that this course is Justified
Ton the basis OF public interests as G
'ell as party expediency. A news Il
aper may err in it's editorial con- c
lusions. but it cannot nislead its Z
andare bv rfvinv fun aua fu,narfsal !,