The Alaska daily empire., 1914-03-11
DEMOCRATIC OPPORTUNITY AND
 DUTY.
THE FAIRBANKS CITIZEN says,

THE FAIRBANKS CITIZEN says
 all things being equal, the Dele
 gate to Congress from Masks
 should be a Democrat" True; and it
 could have added that, all things be
 ing equal. the Legislature of the Ter
 ritory should be in political sympathy with the Delegate, the Governor. and the National administration. It could have said. also, that it is more es' seutial that the Delegate and the Leg islature should spell their democracy with a little I'd" than it is that they should spell 1t with a big "D."
 We believe that the majority of the electorate of Alaska is in large measure independent and not disposed to attach itself hard and fast to politi- cal organizations, yet We believe the people of the Territory are democratic to the core. We believe they are firm believers in the democracy of Presi- dent Woodrow Wilson. We believe that. all things being equal, they would rather vote for a Democratic admin istration in this Territory that would be in harmony with the National ad. ministratiou than for anything else.
 But the voters of Alaska stand for progress. Their eyes are toward the
 future. The slogan of the late David B. Hill "I am Democrat" will not satisfy them. They will cast their votes with those who offer the pro gram that appeals to them most
 It the Democrats of AlasSa-mem- bers of the political party of Wilson, and Bryan. and Lane. and Underwood and Chamberlain. and Houston and the others who have done so much for the Nation and for Alaska in the last year-desire to secure the prize that the people of the Territory are ready to give them they must prepare Co serve Alaska better than anybody else or any other organization can serve it. They must make it plain that they stand for progress here just as the National leaders stand for pro- gress in the Nation.
 The people Of Alaska, if We mistake noy. are ready to abjure mud.throwing and to let those who desire to fight and picker over personalities and ami i mosities and matters and things that have no connection with the future, continue their course, if they wish, unhampered of public duties. They are ready to give support to a workable constructive program for their Terri tory-a program such as will prepare Alaska to become a commonwealth commensurate with the foundations that are being laid by the National government - a commonwealth in which the people shall rule.
 The situation in Alaska demands the application of those democratic principles Of government that lie at The foundation of the Democratic party. It demands that the people of the Territory must be placed in con. trol Of their own affairs. It demands a wider-a far wider-measure of self. government. It demands a primary election law and everlasting rest for conventions made up of a few men gathered from widely separated sec tons Of the Territory. It demands a comprehensive road building scheme in which Territory and Nation may cooperate under Secretary of the h. terior Lanes treaty" plan. It de- mands all of these and many kindred things that the people will insist that those to whom they give support must stand for.
 Democrats should consider the Ter. ri,ory first and last. Let them pre- pare a program of progress. and per init who will engage in the game of personal politics. Let them deserve success and the people will support them.