The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-05-12
nEMoCRACY's OPPORTUNITY
AND DUTY.

AND DUTY.
Hon. Jerry R. Sullivan, of Iowa,
has written letter to The Common
er which should be read by demo-
Gratis everywhere:
Des Moines, Iowa, April 26.-The
unrest in the public mind is an
answer to the work of the republi-
can party. There never was a time
when the enactment of legislation
along the line of true democracy
was as needed as the present hour.
The republican party is doing its
utmost to repeal the legislation it
enacted in the last twenty-five years.
1t has demonstrated it is not worthy
of the confidence of the people. The
democratic party must solve the ques-
ton now pending.
1t is not question of party poll
tics, it is question of the welfare
of the government, and the prosper
ity of the people. Every democratic
candidate for congress, should be
pledged to carry out the principles of
tract between the candidate and the
people, and it's violation is as much a
wrong as the violation of any instru-
lnent is a breach of contract. There
fore in the coming campaign, state
and congressional, the platform
should emphasize the following prin-
ciples and require the candidate to
subscribe thereto:
l. Economy in the expenditure OF
public funds.
2. The fulfillment of party pledges
3. The election of United States
senator's by the people,
4. The enactment of an income
tax law.
S. The elimination of combina.
tons and trusts.
s. The reduction of the tariff and
especially on the necessaries of life
These propositions are crystalized
this hour in the mind of the voters OF
the nation. The nominee who sin.
cerely believes in these principles
will carry out the platform declara-
tons and will seek election because
he believes these propositions should
be enacted into law.
The democratic party is not en-
titled to power or confidence if its
candidates are unwilling to be in
structed by the party. A refusal tc
obey the party platform; opposition
to the election of the United States
senator's by the people; opposition to
the voter having the right to ex-
press his choice at primary cleo
ton; unwilling to destroy combina-
tons that control prices; unwilling
to give to the interstate commerce
commission the right of initiative as
to rates of transportation on the
highways of the nation; unwilling tt
reduce the tariff on the necessaries
Of life. Such men should not be
nominated and if successful at the
primary should be defeated at the
polls.
The party that believes in these
fundamental truths and will seek
their enactment into law without fear
and without favor, will receive the
confidence of the people at the No
sember election, 1910. The repub.
lican party as now constituted, has
violated that confidence.
Democracy must arise to the occa
sion and place as it's candidates only
those who are willing to abide by the
party platform. Unless it does il
will not have the confidence of the
people, and if received, it will not be
continued
The democratic party must b.
democratic. 1t can not become the
party of vested rights. The issue i!
clearly defined, it is system and priv
ilege on one side and opportunitie.
and equal rights on the other The
boldness of Congressman Foss of The
old colony district in Boston, Mass
should encourage every lover of the
right to be true to his convictions L
should be notice to progressive re
publicans that there is no hope OF
salvation in the republican party
controlled by Aldrich, Cannon & Co
Unity of thought and purpose
should guide those of the same opin
ion into one party. The party tha
gives the greatest hope of the sue
cess OF these principles, is the demo
cratic party. It's success means pro
gress, its defeat the triumph O.
privilege and vested rights The
forces seeking to control prices, en-
acting legislation in the interest O.
privileges, can not find a home il
the democratic party. Those who
favor equal rights believe in equa
opportunities can. This class i!
sufficient in number to control legis
lation. They now have the opportun
ity by assisting in the election O
democrats to congress. Let tn,
democratic party be worthy of thei
assistance, that ultimate success
will not be for a day, but for all tn,
time. Jerry B. Sullivan.