The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-07-15
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, JULY L. 1910
THE COMING CONGRESSIONAL
CAMPAIGN.

Ing one this fall. The Republican adj
ministraton has proven to be a monu-
mental failure, It's most prominent
representatives in Congress have
brazenly betrayed the trust eonfided
70 them, and a war within lts ranks
exists between those who kept their
word to the people and those who
broke 1t. 1t is party with lts ranks
divided, and It's followers Disguised
and discouraged Its defeat at the
hands of well organized and beiliger-
ent party would be foregone con-
eluslon. Is the Democratic party
such
In the early spring everything In
dieated that the Democrats were
united and In fine lighting trim. No
Republican in Congress could stand
up successfully for his party's record.
and If he attempted to, he was i'm
mediately contradicted and pounced
upon by some Democrat, With all the
rest eager to take part IN the fray. In
addition, he was lucky to get on WITH
out some OF his former associates at
lacking his statements. The Repub-
liean organization went 10 pieces,
the days OF plutocraey seemed at an
end. and every one conceded that
there would be overwhelming DINO
cratic victories this fall.
But this very hope of victory, which
was then apparently 30 well assured,
caused relaxation of the vigilance
Of the Democrats Instead Of de-
voting all their energies 70 the defeat
Of bad measures, and preparing to
fight hard this fall, some Of the lead
ers began Immediately dreaming of
the honors that they hoped would
come to them. and organizing
private campaigns for these honors.
instead of public campaigns for VIC
tory. A notable exception was
Champ Clark, the Democratic floor
leader. who the public look upon
naturally as the next speaker. Yet.
opposition to him has already been
fomented In the Democratic party.
BY some leading men who seek the
same honor Opposition among the
leaders is never good seed for a
crop of victories
Another thing that the leaders have
omitted to do is to lay down POSI-
tive policy to guide the party In event
Of victory. A source of our weakness,
heretofore, has been thai the Demo-
cratic party was simply : party of
opposition as II told the people only
IN general terms Its proposed policy.
! notable exception vas the Bryan
eompaign of 1896, In which hIa plain
promise of the free coinage Of silver
II ie to ! made votes. for the people
knew what to expect If he NaH elect
I'd. His clear and definite policy en-
abIed him to make the most wonder
ful campaign of this generation.
It Is not sufficient to tell the people
yon are In favor of reduction Of the
tariff: you must 60 further md say
upon what articles. No one can
Justify the tariff being retained upon
those goods which are By our own
people sold TO foreigners for less
money than 10 us. Then say that the
tariff on those goods will Be removed
No one can support the action Of the
Republican machine In forcing an
amendment upon the postal savings
bank bill. at the eleventh hour of
Congress. which enables The money
deposited in one locality 10 be re-
moved from circulation 1T home, and
sent TO New York for the benefit OF
Wall street. Then say you I'LL change
II. And so with any other measure
Or reform, tell the people what you
vii do If elected. and put It In
writing. and then when elected they
.ean Judge how faithful servant you
are. BE positive. not negative. be
particular not general. and the party
vii gain strength and yigor.
And In Maryland, where we have no
great daily which Is party paper to
rely upon. how necessary I i for the
leaders In the different Congressional
Districts to come together and map
out some plan for the Campaign, q
plan which should include ; unanim-
TT in their platforms and should
stand for something. At present each
one appears to be thinking forhImself;
State leaders are laying plans and
building fences for future fights for
political prestige or once. instead Of
putting aside their no doubt COM
mendable, yet, nevertheless selfish de-
sIres. for the partys present success.
This Is not the time for fights and
esaablnes within the party. but the APP
neia1ed time for all Democrats In the
1aee Of the common enemy to get to-
ga111er and tell the people plainly
what We propose to do, i successful,
aid fight for 1t until we yin. The
PRESS of independent views would not
then oppose you. If what yon promise
Is right and you are honest. and you
vii then win. II you promise to do
something that is not right. Or If you
are not honest, then you should be
opposed by II and will be rightly de-
IeaIed. The people have been be-
IraYed so recently By those they
trusted that they want honest men for
representatives, standing On q plat
form that ig so plain that 1t cannot