New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-29
VIJN HINT FOR 4 Platform.

The chief purpose subserved by the Demo
cratic party to-day is demonstration OF the
fact that whatever progress the country is max
ing it owes to the Republican party. The
Democracy is Just now busy discussing candi-
dates for the Presidency, but when it comes TO
platforms to put them on a dreadful void Is
apparent. The Democratic difficulty in regard
to platform is largely due to the fact that Tor
several years it has been desperately trying to
avoid the creation Of record for Itself; It's
former record having been so disastrous that 1t
has grown to be nervously afraid of the very
name. When, In 1864, 1868, and 1872. it tried
the experiment of taking direct issue with the
Republicans it was beaten so badly that it con-
Guided thereafter to change its tactics, and In
the ensuing contest 1t tried to take the wind out
of its opponents sails. 1t discarded all Is dis
tinctiye issues but the tariff and when1t was
compelled to decide whether it would make an
old fashioned fight upon that the remembrance
of its recent experience with square" fights
oyercame it and 1t merely straddled tho fence.
Since the rarity obtained control of the House OF
Representatives it has been struggling to
avoid committal upon all important questions
1t has shown that it dare not touch any question
which involves decided public opinion. 1t IS
MORALLY afraid even Of so simple a subject as
the silver question. 1t will not take position
upon anything, lest 1t should offend some ele-
ment or section.
1t does not know what to put in its Platform,
but it is perfectly safe to predict that 1t will not
take issue squanely with the Republican party
upon the tariff or upon any question of conse-
quence, and that the platform it adopts will be
washed out imitation of the Republican pro-
gramme disguised as much as possible with
Democratic clap-trap. In fact the Democracy
has so long ceased to have policy of its own
and has been so long fighting for nothing but
the spoils, that it is increasingly difficult for
it even to simulate serious excuses for its exist
ence. Having practically accepted the Republl-
can principles by copying them into its plat
form. it ought logically to have adjourned SINE
die; but it seems doomed to live on If only that
it may show the country how incapable it is Of
assinilating the doctrines it has been forced to
cease resisting.
In fact it has such a notorious dearth Ofissues
that public attention cannot be diverted from
those facts in its career which it has the least
desire to display. In this absence of issues, the
lawessness of its Southern procedure acquires
an unpleasant prominence, and contrasts pain
fully with the platitudes of it's machine
made platform. And between the actual facts
of the Southern situation and the conspicuous
pretence of policy at the North, the Nation
is in a fair way to be cOnvincingly impressed
that the Democratic party is too feeble TO oe-
wise real programme of its own; toe lncapa-
BILE to criticse the Republican programme sue
cessfully and not possessed of sufficient recu-
perative virtue to cure its old vices, even though
it be perishing of famine, and would give what it
is pl sased to call its soul for return to power.