The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-07-23
Monerel Politics our Danger.

Mongrel Politics Our Danger.
The State utters a great truth
when it says .'voters in the Demo-
cratic primaries of the South have
question Of great party moment be-
fore them for answer. Perhaps it
has not been prcpounded to them
from the stump; perhaps the news
papers in many Congressional dis
tricts are not concerned or prefer
standing up for a candidate to stapf-
ing up for the purity Of the more
impersonal and urinfuential Democ-
racy. However that may be, the
question is there before the people
and they only ca.a answer"
& The question lis shall there be
momggel politics in the South? ?"
There is, as the State says, in every
Southern State a majority Of whites
who are Democrats-not from ex-
pediency, not because Of fear Of ne
gro domination, but because they
come nearer to truly representing
the American people of the time Of
washington and Jefferson than do
any other people in America. They
are Democratic because they believe
in independence, in self government,
in simplicity IN government, in hon.
est competition and in justice for
all. In: their creed there is no place
for government favorites, no place
for a pampered few fattened upon
that which is by government decree
taken from the many and given to
them.
"But while there is a majority OF
Simon-pure Democrats in every
Southern State, the danger is that
the majority will not rule. The dan
ger is that they are not alert. The
danger is that as it has been many
years since theJ have heard real
Democratic docta inc from candidates
for Congress they have forgotten
some Of these important things for
which Democracy must stand. They
have, because of lack of opposition
to Democrats, got into the habit OF
passing a Democrat without putting
him through an examination, or
questioning his staunchness.
Another danger is the lack of in
terest in public affairs on the part
of the real Democrats. They are
easy and trustful and take no pre-
cautions, while those who are at
heart Republicans, but In the Demo-
cratic party, art continuously active.
Their activity is not so much at cleo
ton time as when Congress is in ses-
sion; it is then their influence is
employed; it is then they bring pres
sure to bear and this pressure the
congressman who are not firmly
grounded in Democracy can not re-
sist. They fall to the plea OF ex-
pediency or profit, and they vote Re-
publican votes. .....
"That is mongrelizing politics,
and is ruinous 70 Democracy. There
is one. way Of checking this piece
meal desertion of fundamental prin-
ciples Of the party b. those claiming
to be Democrats. The voters will
have to be aroused, and real l. no
Gratis will have to awaken them.
When the people are so aroused,
when they know What is. a Demo-
crat,' and decree that their Repre-
sentatives in Congress shall vote as
Democrats or quit, then they will
be no longer treated with contempt.
congressman will not. then violate
their oaths to abide by the party S
principles and policies; Congressman
will not then, delegate to themselves
in determining whether they will
vote with Democrats or with Repub-
licans. They will no longer consider
themselves free agents"
Let us impress on the Democrats
of this county that UNLESS lines are
drawn sharply and tightly, mongrel
politics will blight the South" We
want every Ean who claims to be a
Democrat to read and reread the
above and then act on it. Let US
see that none but true blue Demo-
Gratis are seEt to represent us in
Congress or anywhere else. Let
those who want a ha!f-Republican to
represent them put up their man,
and then we will know exactly where
we stand. Mongrel politics in the
South should be outlawed.