The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-05-05
WHAT IS MEANT BY PRO
GRESSIVE DEMOCRACY?

There is a great deal being said lately
in the public press and by the public men
in speeches, about Progressive Democ-
racy and that the Democratic party
mustb progressive.
We have been anxious to see some
expression or explanation of what is
meant by the Democtatc party being
progressive. As used so far it is very
obscure expression. 1t may mean good
1t may mean bad-and it may mean
little, either good or bad. The press and
the public speakers, both should in their
efforts to inform or educate the people,
be very definite and clear in their
statements as to Just what they mean.
Is it meant that the Democratic party
J must make progress in its principles and
' policies, or in its organization, or what is
a it that is meant when they say that the
? party must be progressive?
The cardinal principle of the Demo-
4 cratic party as laid down by Thomas
: Jefferson is equal rights to all and
special privileges to none. 1t is the
greatest principle as applied to govern
ment, that was ever laid down by mortal
4 man on this earth, and ifhonestly carried
Il out and observed by this government
" it would solve all of the problems and
h fully protect all of the rights of the
3 people?
t Can anybody think of, or suggest any
problem of government that cannot be
solved by this principle?
y Every step taken by this government
n contrary TO this rule or axiom, has been
N step in the wrong direction and has
i resulted in injustice and wrong to some
part of the people.
Now do our friends who talk so much
about Progressive Democracy mean
c that we shall make progress away from
nthe old Democratic principles and try
'lsomething new?
Ifso, will they please tell us what it is
'.that can supply in the place of them or i'm
tprove on them?
,f We believe that the truth of the matter
is, that what Democrats must do is to
progress back instead of forward, to the
Did and well established Democratic
corlnciples, and stand on them and put
chem in full operation in the adminstra-
Dion of the government
Give the people an actual and practical
Experience of Democratic principles and
policies, and let the people see how
Their rights, prosperity and happiness are
'ffected by the operation of Democratic
Principles
In other words, let the Democratic
sarty have Democratic principles and
lien have the courage to carry them into
ae administration of the government.
b hen if those principles do not give the
eeople better form of government let
vo' abandon them and progress towards
nme other principles either known or
NNknown.
The only progress that the Demo-
W, attic party needs to make is the prog
CT IS that makes all men who profess to
Democrats to be real and true Demo-
" ats, or get out of the Democratic party
d get into the party whose principles
IL ~ believe in. No man who believes
DaSpecial privileges should be tolerated
rthe Democratic party. No man who
H. ieves in or votes for high protective
ia i'll should be tolerated in the Demo-
tic party. Not that he may not be
ksspd man, but because he is not a true
nocrat The Democratic party can
tail ,er perform Its duty TO the people and
mis- he country until it repudiates and
hes out Of its ranks all Of the traitors
Suctne principlesland to its organization.
a. this is what is meant by the ex-
6nfssion that the Democratic party must
les progressive, then the expression
A,ns something for it is an absolute
recf ssity before the Democratic party
Mrfoe effective IT. on the contrary, it
, can't by being progressive the Demo-
ny party must adopt some or all of
sist,rew tangled ideas and schemes that
Niow being put forth, such as the
timttive Referendum and Recall, then
Slsineople of this country, but especially
i0s Democratic party want no such
-, fess. That will only mean progress
Pe,.A direction of socialism and anarchy
!. a. means virtually the repeal of all
Of nd all constitutions, National and
hose of the States. That means the
III Of ali laws and restraint Of the will