Evening star., 1925-06-07
WAR ON .sSECTIONALISM''
PURPOSE OF DEMOCRATS
Barrier to Party Harmony Would BE
Eliminated by Leaders-Definite
Program Is Outlined.

ne lnVlSlDic Out SCiIlclliIiSS
penetrable walls Of sectionalism are
the barriers to party harmony that
are next to be demolished in the re-
Gently revived program to win vic
tory for Democratic candidates.. says
the new organ of the Democratic
party. This program. planned by far
sighted. unselfish and non-partisan
Deraccrats. is being built upon con-
viction that Jeffersonian ideals and
past Democratic achievements are
bigger and more powerful than the
prejudices that have been so skillfully
played upon during recent political
campaigns to the undoing of the
party"
The statement goes on to say that
familiar as they are with the types
of men and women and with those
good citizens who are potential Demo
Gratis. 'all thinking Democrats are
confident that the disastrous lessons
learned will not be forgotten in the
future. Counting all that it has cost.
they agree that experience has indeed
been a costly but effective teacher.
'In the elimination of sectionalism
no one presumes to lay hands upon
those local loyalties and prerogatives
which are fundamentally Demo
cratic"
Certain rights have long been held
as basic by Democrats, and because
of them the strength of the party
has survived. 1t is sectionalism in its
selfish sense that is condemned by
those who yet see hope for their party
at the polls.
Denies Party Is Down and Out.
Discarding the suggestion that the
Democratic party is down and out,
the statement advances the argument
that mo arbitrary pronouncement
from this camp or that has sealed the
doom of the party. No demand that
great concessions be made by one
group in return for small favors at
the hands of another could be ex-
pected to meet with compliance.
"The accepted way of salvation is
pointed out by all who assume any
appreciable degree of leadership.
Those who have not agreed upon the
nature of the curse and it's cure auto
matically place themselves beyond the
party pale"
The statement defines what is
meant by "sectionalism." 1t says: I'm
political parlance 'sectionalism' may
be stretched to cover those differences
in thought and attitude that come
through differences in religion, racial
stock and residential location, as we'll
on to elaborate this idea, the state
ment says: THE Southern Democrat,
with his many heritages; the West
erner, with his progressive ideals; the
Eastern Democrat, with an Irish plan
for politics; the Northerner. with well
founded mistruSt of capitalism, NAV
and does have a penchant peculiar
unto himself, but fundamentally he
is disciple of Jefferson, and so when
vicious sectionalism is eliminated must
be loyal to his party creed"
Program Is Provided.
The program for the elimination Of
sectionaliSm is provided. 1t is to be
undertaken in many directions. The
first step is the formulation of a plat
form of basic Democracy. Its blanks
are those upon which every Democrat
can agree and stand firm. 1t is CON
tended that the party is confronted
with the necessity for agreement upon
those that have lent themselves to
controversy in the past. The next
two years give time for friendly de.
bate, public discussions and iour.
nalistic consideration of the nooted
plankS.
A warning is given against the in
trusion of self-seekers after personal
victory. Once working plan is
adopted" it is said, there remains
only pointing out to the individuals
the merit and superiority of Demo.
cratic principles. With this convic-
ton thoroughly inculcated. the self
seekers who have used sectional. feel.
ing in their vain efforts to gain per.
sonal victory will get short shrift at
the hands of the party and a national
victory will be assured"
Republican national leaders are
watching the appearance of the new
Democratic medium of publicity with
interest as marking the inception of
a militant and aggressive spirit in the
Democratic party. Later on, the Re-
publican organization may counter
with some move, but at present is con.
filming its publicity service to COM
munications to the Republican coun-
try press and occasional statements
from national headquarters.