The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-05-09
REASONS FOR DEMOCRACY.

The Republic takes pleasure IN re-
plying to the request made in this
communication from a resident of
Oklahoma:
eve are organizing Young
Mems Democratic League in this
county. It's purpose is to study and
teach the fundamental principles of
democracy and political economy.
You are possibly aware that we
are pretty closely divided here be-
tween democrats and republicans,
with the socialists trying to break in
We have large floating element of
young men here whom we would like
to reach and can draw into our ranks
by making our plea strong enough.
Having the utmost faith in the
sincerity of your allegiance to dem
ocracy, l ask you to kindly give me
ten good reasons why young man
should be a democrat.
l.. Because democrats sincerely
believe in popular sovereignty. They
do this without equivocation or men
tai reservation. They always are
willing to prove their faith in the
rule of the people. They known
that, under proper safeguards, it is
wise and effective.
2. Because democrats would re-
strict government to its legitimate
purposes, knowing that every de-
parture therefrom leads usually to
favoritism and corruption, as in the
cases of tariff and subsidies, social
ism and other experiments.
3. Because democrats are natural
ly distrustful of Emperors, Kings
and other sovereigns, of bosses and
of necessary men. Where one such
despot has been wise and benevolnt
thousands have been foolish, cruel
and unjust. No man is ever to be
trusted with unlimited power.
4. Because democrats hold more
closely than anybody else to the
principle of equal rights and oppor-
tunities under our laws, thus deny
ing the wisdom of and the necessity
for the partially and privilege which
underlie aristocracies, would-be ar
istocracies and other privileged
classes.
5. Because democrats contend that
too much government is not only
wasteful, but tyrannOus. This
means that there may be despotism
of silly and vexatious law affecting
habits and customs as we'll as des-
potism of thrones and sceptors. The
democratic proverb is that that gov
eminent is best which governs best.
6. Because in government demo-
Gratis always apply the theory of in
dividualsm and individual RESPONSE
bility, whereas their opponents gen.
orally advocate socialism or some
other form of paternalism based up
On the idea that government is wiser
and better than the people. Govern
ment, of course, is nothing but men
"a few men.
T. Because democrats in tEe'r~ de-
Tense of the dignity of the states, or
the people, have shown their belief
in the dispersion and not the con-
centration of power. They resist
Capitalization at Washington. They
hold that freedom and independence
cannot be lost while the states en-
dure as demOcracies.
S. Because the democratic idea of
taxation is that it has no constltu-
tional warrant except as it is re-
sorted to for public purposes. Taxa
ton of one man for the benefit of an
other man is robbery. Taxation for
the purpose of mere extravaganza
is unjust and corrupting.
9. Because democrats regard our
constitutions, national and state,
their accompanying bills of rights, as
absolutely binding upon every citi-
zen, high or low, never to be lightly
set aside and never under any plea
of necessity to be violated by courts,
congresses, legislatures or execu-
tives.
10. Because, while democrats sus-
tain the judiciary in the exercise Of
all lawful authority, thsy have al
ways regarded most jealousy the
disposition Of courts to extend their
power. In the nature CT things OPP
preston grows and nowhere is this
more likely to be the casa than upon
tho bench. Democrats contend that
judges should be held to stric: ac-
countability, and, when clearly in
the wrong, subjected to impeach-
mont
We have given cur young friend
ten -ea sons, every one of which OBJ
viously involves SCORES of other rea-
sons which we hope will occur to
him, on reflection, but which Cannot
be dwelt upon in this place today.
The study of American democracy
is a noble and inspiring pursuit. II
it were undertaken pretty generally
by our young men we should soon
have a happier people and better
with less wrong and
more certain justice.-St. Louis Re-
public.