The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-09-09
A Definition of Democracy.

W 9NCCRho0 90 a otatCthCuA VI thO
fundamental principles of the Dem
ocratic party.
Relative To certain surmises Cf po-
litical ambition and other personal
motives alleged to have attended or
20 have actuated some recenc changes
In The Republic, he says. 1t Is well
TO say that this newspaper has no
candidate for tho Presidency OF for
any other office and that II will have
no such candidate for the Presidency
until the Democratic party in Nat
ional convention shall have spoken.
The hope of the country for justice.
progress. economy and peace largely
depends upon Democratic professions
and Democratic performance during
the next fourteen months. II the
wise. vigorous and yet tolerant spirit
manifested by Democrats at the late
session OF Congress shall be main
timed. there can be do doubt that
this hope will be fully realized.
The Republic does not assume to
speak for the Democratic party, but
Il does claim the right of speaking an
q Democrat.
IL Is devoted to equal rights aud
equal oppos' initiea
IL hates privilege and injustice
bosses and corruptionists.
IL would trust the whole body of
iSc people at any time with any re-
sponsibility voluntarily assumed rath-
or than yield control to one man or
TO small group OF men. no matter
how wise or how good.
II holds that the taxation OF one
American for the benefit of another
American Is not only robbery, but
tyranny.
IL believes that the extortionate
protective tariff. falsely upheld by its
benehciaries as profitable to all Amer
leans u I'm fact notoriously un,squai
and oppressive.
It Is committed to the idea that
government as a partisan Of the few
must be taken out OF business and
that business as a self-seeker must
be taken out Of government.
II believes In personal liberty that
does not infringe upon the rights of
others.
IL sees no hope OF prosperity and
progress except I'm obedience to the
constitution and the laws.
Ii recognizes the rights OF labor
and OF men as well as the rights of
capital and Of property. both easily
ascertainable when reason rules and
neither OF them naturally In conflict
with the other.
IL believes In one law for offend
err. rich or poor. high or humble,
strong OF weak.
IL holds that legitimate enter prises
can be encouraged and that bu dness
and industry can be conducted hon
sstiy and profitabiy without bounties
and subsidies.
Finally. ~ In opposed to centraliz-
alton. TO usurpation. to imperialism,
TO all forms Of extravagapce and
waste. TO a constantly Increasing Of
nciallsm. To secrecy In public affairs,
60 irresponsible boards and commits.
sioners. to standpatters of every
stripe. to lawless com bluations In re-
sfraint OF trade and industry. and to
monopoly OF all kinds. whether OF
money. OF goods. OF production or Of
commerce.
We believe that these views are
Democratic and rhat the Demo-
cratic party next year Will present
hish-minded candidate. whose char
acter and abilities Will nlumInate
them; who will have the capacity to
present them attractively 20 the peo
pie; whose temperament will be so
tolerant and yet rosolute that his in
fiuenco will promote harmony among
those who. ignoring mean jealousles
and trines. will agree upon the vital
issues and whose aim Will be the rec
iamation of the government from the
element which has made II the SER
want OF class and not the servant OF
the millions.
The Republic will take pleasure In
sustaining such a candidacy and such
piatform. In any event. II will ad-
here To the platform. which il lts
own. Beyond the concern that all
good citizens and all good Democrats
must have In whatever contributes 20
tho public welfare. 20 good govern
ment and good citizenship. The Re-
public has no personal interest and
no personal ambition whatever.