The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-27
rho Necessity for a Platform.


There will probably be differing opinions
among The delegates 10 the Lynchburg Con-
ycntion-first, as TO the cxpediency Of lay
ing down a platform at all, and, secondly,
as TO the kind Of platform IN case 1t Is de-
cided to be expedient and proper to lay
down ono. Some Democrats contend that
a few words expressive OF opposition 70
Bossim will suffice for a working creed
Others think that a formal declaration OIL
principles ought 10 be made. Inc TWO
sides are equally sincere in their opinions
on this subject.
There Is one consideration which may
prove to be controlling one. the Demo
Gratis ere peculiarly circumstanccd so iar rs
the state debt Is concerned. Ihey nave
never as a party declared tito be their pur-
nose 10 acquiesce in the settlement MADE by
the las. Legislature, though 1t Is wei
known that they are opposed to any itir-
Their agitation OF the question, and would
oppose as vigorously as their opponents
any action looking to disturbance OF
the present condition OF things. they
have turned the matter over to the
courts. Shall they or shall they not pro-
claim this fact 10 the worldt Or, rather,
is il not absolutely incumbent upon them
10 proclaim its We have among us now
number OF Democrats who were Read
iustcrs as long as there was anything to
readjUSt. but who are now as jealous as
ID. Il
Democrats as they recently were rs Read
iusters. These gentlemen are constantly
told by their late associates that they VIII
find themselves mistaken in the end, ana
are solicited TO continue their connec-
ton with the Mahoneiies until there
can no longer be a question in any
ral's mind rs TO the intentions IN
this regard of the Democrats. When shall
we quiet the fears OF these Democrats II
not AZ Lynchburg: When shall we have
the opportunity TO do so: Never. Either
a, LynchbuTg, or never. This work Is TO De
done. Either there OF nowhere the re-
turned Readjusters are 10 be told authori-
htiyely that the debt question has indeed
been eliminated from Virginia politics. II
the Democrats are i'm earnest in declaring
rs individuals that such is the fact, there
can be no good reason urged why they
should not as a party make the same decla-
rltiOn.
The fact that the Lynchburg Convention
is expected to declare the debt question no
logger nm issue between the two parties is
an imperative demand for such an utter
ance on its part. III after considering the
proposition we reject it, the Coalitionists
VIII make capital out OF the refusal. 1t will
not be a. if the question had never been
considered. ON the contrary, the rejection
will he treated as equivalent to an aflirma-
tive declaration that il we carry the next
Legislature a new funding bill OF some sort
is 10 be the result. We cannot afford to
put ourselves in this position.
Let il be conceded, then, that a platform |
OF at least one plank is necessary, and it |
would seem to follow that other planks must |
be added. What sort of planks? There's !
the rub. Not planks raising national issues.
some will say. But Just here is where the |
ulIDtNlN VIII Cont lus EbihS ltlNohr |
will argue that il any platform is to
be adopted. it must be n cOmpre-
hensiye and all-embracing one-must
have national planks as well as local
ones. In Ohio, the liquor question:
local one is to befthe controlling issue in
he campaign/ get the Democrats laid down
national p,l1Mks in their platform. Some
God Democrats will doubtless expect and
ask the Lynchburg Convention to follow
this precedent. To 90 far enough and not
too far. is the problem, or, in other words,
t. say what ought to be said and leave I'M
said what ought not TO be said
Let the delegates to the Lynchburg Con-
yention ponder this question OF platform
before they leave home and ascertain the
wishes Of the people in regard to it. No
other subiec, SO important can come up III
that Convention for consideration. The
Indications are that that body will be a
truly representative one. 1t will act wisely,
we doubt not; and its decision will be ac-
cepted as final by every good Democrat.