The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-11-05

The Benton Trlbune-Democrat ex-
posed the same mental processes in
ARRIVING at the conclusion that the
popular primary under the state cleo
ton board, at which party com
mitteemen as well as candidates
should be named. is the only remedy
for existing conditions. which have
well night wrecked the Democratic
party in Tennessee and the Repub-
lican party in Ohio, and is threaten
ing the Democratic organization in
the Third senatorial district
After that he says. the initiative
and referendum and the recall
should speedily follow.
Much opposition will be raised to
these measures by politicians now
|entrenched in power. II is only by
the united efforts of the state press
that reform can.come about. and this
effort will be opposed by such organs
as owe their continued existence to
their support of some self-seeking
politicians schemes.
Socialism they VIII call e.; and
yet we know that the astonishing
growth OF so-called socialism in this
country II due a confusion of democ-
racy with socialism. Every innOva.
ton is now contemptuously dubbed
socialistic. just as many things the
Democratic and Republican parties
now espouse were once just as con-
temptuOusly dubbed populism.
The socialistic party is being re-
cruited from the ranks of political
protestants. who are not afraid OF
the sound OF a name. They are not
socialists at ALL but real democrats
using the term in its government
tai. and not partisan. sense. Social
ism involves a far-reaching re-forma-
ton of the whole social compact
family relations. wages. time.
recreation and everything else affect
ing social conditions. including re-
ligion. Unless the two great parties
heed the protest, the socialistic party
will continue TO recruit until il ac-
complishes its mission: but the vast
majority of its members will revolt
at the last against real socialism.
As regards politics. socialism and
democracy are antipodal. Broadly
speaking. socialism means the great
est possible control Of the individual
by the government; democracy
means the greatest possible partici-
patton by the individuals in the gov
eminent, commensurate with the
greatest possible individual freedom
of development.
The popular primary is merely an
of the theory of democracy,
giving the voters the right TO choose
their own party managers, as well as
candidates. The initiative gives the
voters the right to direct legislation:
the referendum gives them the right
to veto legislation; the recall gives
them the right to dismiss incom-
petent and unfaithful officials at any
time by popular election, just as any
employer has the right to dismiss his
incompetent and unfaithful EN-
ployes at any time
Is there any man who pays taxes,
and would be willing 10 deny him
self this privilege of protecting his
own interests? Is there any man,
who believes in popular government.
yet denies that the people are com
petent to decide what they want?
These rights and privileges and
responsibilities belong to democracy.
not to socialism. BY their use the
editor of the Carlisle County News
could see unfaithful committeeman
ousted and reorganization
effected without rending the party to
pieces as is being done in Ten
nessee and the Third district of Ken
lucky.
We should like 10 hear expressions
on this subject from all the press of
the Purchase. IL IS the one import
ant political question of the hour. II
the press is merely going to stand as
Il has done in the past, making de
mands between elections and swal-
lowing what the politicians care to
present to the press during the cam
paign. well and good: but II the
press IS to become a real moulder of
public opinion, The press must de-
mand a change Of conditions. With
the popular will controlling party
as well as elections,
the power of the press will be multi
piled a thousand fold. instead Of re-
the tool OF whatever poEti-
cal coterle happens 20 be in control
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