The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1911-03-15
WED. MARCH. ID, 1911,

1t is not the purpose of the News to
try to be CONSPICUOUS in the counsel of
the Democratic party; it is outside of
its real desires when it calls for a
change of policy from the governing
committee of the party. but in so do
ing, it feels that it is clearly within the
limits of duty, and that necessity de
mands it, therefore, we again renew
our plea for platform convention In
another column will be found express
ions from Democratic papers showing
how wide spread is the demand that our
party take position on the questions
that confront the people of this state
There was time when the picture of
the cock directed nearly every Dem
Ocratic voter, and the log cabin bound
to Republican nominees the full
strength of that party, but those days
have passed, in a large measure. and
the intelligent voter demands some
thing more than party emblems. In
view of present conditions. in justice to
the Democratic party, in the interest
of progressive government, we fail to
see why any party should be denied the
right to meet in a collective capacity
for its own advancement and the public
good. Such course is repulsive to in
dependence, foreign to the true spirit
of Democracy, cowardly in ITS inception
and destructive in its final conclusions.
1t can not work to the good of any
individual who may be on our ticket,
and is bound to place US all in defen
sive position. If Democracy is any
thing it is progressive and aggressive,
and not set of pie hunters and retreat
ers. If it is to be the ruling party in
this state it must come from under the
mask of disguise, step out into the
open and stand and fight for the best
interests of the people. A coward or
incompetent may deserve sympathy, but
never merit or win victory. Throughout
the state, and particularly in certain
sections, discomfort is broadcast. This
fact is bound to De clear to every com
mitteeman. and its effects should not
be underestimated. How to bring good
out of bad conditions; how to get
unison where discord prevails; how to
secure victory in the face of defeat,
now confronts our party. To seek to
conceal the real situation will not suf
flee, to expect similar conditions with
the Republicans to prevail, will not
extricate, and to hope is mere folly
Something must be done if we win
1t is not so much question who wins
in the primary, who compose our tick
ct, as it is, For what does the Dem
ocratic party stand? We can not take
a position, as party, unless it is done
in col ective capacity. We have no
recognized Gar, no. boss or bosses.
At this particular time, however, it
seems that we merely have an Exec
utiVe committee, the majority of which
seem Joined to methods contrary to the
crying necessities of our conditions and
party expediency. Appeal after ap-
peal has been made for a platform
convention and still we drift
Gentlemen of the committee, you can
do much to clear the sky and aid your
party in removing the trouble in time
for great victory and likewise you
can obstruct its best interests, you
can help bring peace and good will or
you can eventually, force political re
volt. The solution is largely up to
you and, as we see it, you must call a
platform convention or take the respon-
sibility of the heaviest defeat our party
has ever had. No longer can we hope
to win on the record of any man, no
longer proftby an appeal to passion and
prejudice. By meeting in convention
we can take a position that will dis
prove or justify the accusation of Hon
Ben Johnson. 1t ought to be done.
We can place ourselves before the peo-
pie on the great questions that affect
their interests and forthe welfare of our
State and institutions, this should be
done. There is not single reason
offered why we should not meet in con-
ventlon to formulate platform. Demo-
Gratis, everywhere accept your plan of
nominating candidates but they want a
platform and if denied this right many
of them will not enter the fight as in
DAYS gone by. In short, it is suicidal
to keep within the meets and bounds OF
of your present policy and it is to be
hoped that you will recognize the just
ness, as well as the necessity, OF the
thousands of true and loyal Democrats
who ask for privilege consistent with
all well and rightfully organized bodies.
1t is to be regretted is you fail to do so.