Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1911-06-02
THAT CHURCH ANALOGY AND
THE PRIMARY

itorials, and the kind expressions of
the writer concerning this paper are
most highly appreciated. Our analogy
between members joining church
and Republicans joining the Demo-
cratic party, we recognized at the
time, might be considered, technical
ly little far fetched. Reasoning by
analogy is always hazardous, and, as
our distinguished contemporary Is
well aware, the points of an analogy
should never be pressed beyond the
legitimate. particular point aimed at
in the illustration. What we meant to
bring out, and what we still hold. is,
that~--..Ife must be some one first
vote. That if man wants to vote
the Democratic ticket he should be
allowed to do so at one time as well
as at another. eff man wants to
vote in the Democratic primary, and
understands and so declares, along
with all the rest of us, that he will
(be expected to- support the ticket
so nominated, at the polls in Novem-
Der, upon what grounds of reason or
common sense, should he be denied or
kept out? % We requote the above ex-
tract from our editorial as stating the
point as clearly as we can. We do
not see that our contemporary refuted
this position AS to the church analogy
being "most unfortunate, let's
see. The one act which constitutes
one member of a church in this
country. we believe, is baptism, and
a formal recognition follows. In most
churches it is single act which
makes the applicant n member, and
that one act, say, is baptism, or con-
frmation, or what not. Candidates do
not join churches, generally, at
business meetings. They present
themselves at the proper time and
place, having previously settled the
question in their own minds, and if
otherwise worthy and acceptable are
received. What makes a man a Dem
ocrat? Clearly a single act, that of
voting. Having previously decided
and determined to become n Demo-
crat he presents himself at the door
the polls. signs the pledge, and
asks to be admitted. What shall we
say to him? "Unless you have pre-
viously voted the ticket we can't adj
NIT you?' But" says the candi
date, 81 was converted only a few
days ago, or have just become of
voting age since the last meeting.
and this is the first opportunity I've
had. and l may not have another, and
want to identify msyelf with you"
We contend, that to deny him the
privilege is denying him the only
means by which he can ever become
member of the party. A primary is
not a private business meeting. 1t is
meeting to obtain the will and wish
of the whole people, to select a can
didate to represent the entire people.
and all the people should have a saw
so In the matter. Every meeting held
by Democrats should be meeting for
the reception of members. How about
the young men who have Just become
of voting age?
Now all we contend for is, let every
man vote who is qualified. Let every
man vote the Democratic ticket who
Will, unless he be trickster who
regards not his word and pledge. in
which case he is not fit tn vote anv
ticket, not even Republican ticket
whether to "help Claude out" or to
help Carter ill.,, makes no differ
ence whatsoever with us. And. while
we are at it, is not this" help Claude
out business the real milk in the
coacoanut. or rather, "the negro in
the woodpile?" How would our
Lynchburg contemporary feel about
this whole matter, if opening the
primary to Republicans would "belp
Carter out" instead of helping
Claude out? AS for us, we believe
that opening the primary to Republic
cans in this. the Ninth District, if
any difference. will not "'help Claude
out, as Republicans are generally
constitutionally and otheraise, fer