Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-02

Here II Is-the Platform.

eentatlon IN Congress nearly twenty
years ago, and about the same time her
white people united themselves together
in party called the Conseryative-D Demo
cratic party. They assumed that title
because there were nearly or quite half
OF the leading men of Virginia OF twenty
years ago who had been active, voting
Wings, holding principles antsgonistic
10 those of the Democratic party.
In State Convention held some years
ago the Virginia Democrats, rs we now
call ourselves, passed q resolution de-
claring that in national politics they
were Democrats.
But for nearly twenty years, as We
have intimAted, the White Mans party
OF Virginia positively refused to try to
divide the voters on any poiitico -econom-
ical question, contenting themselves
with being the allies of that party in the
North which respects the rights of the
States, and opposes the policy of inter
fering with the elections in tho southern
States.
We don't know Of any good reason
why the Democrats of Virginia should
not pursue the same course this year.
Virginia has voted for every Democratic
candidate for President who has run
since 1876. In 1872 she voted for GRANT
because no Democrat was in the field.
But in 1876, 1880, and 1884 she enrolled
herself under the Democratic banner.
Why cannot we do the same thing this
year?
Our friend of the Lynchburg Adrance |
seems TO have lost his reckoning, or per
haps after making observations is pre-
pairing to take n new departure. He in
sists upon it that the tariff question is
one upon which the voters Of Virginia
should divide. in other words, he would
have the Protectionlsts vote the Repub-
licau ticketand the anti-Protectionists the
Democratic ticket. He may not express
his wishes in those words, but logically
he must hold that position. Either he
would read all Protectionists out of tho
Democratic party, or else he expects
them to do what he claims that the anti
Protectionists ought not to do-vote for
men whose opinions they do not concur
in. He quotes the Indiana Democratic
platform, in full, and asks
Cant our venerable friend OF the
Richmond Dispatch find good enough
Democracy in it for him ? And if not,
why not ?"
Surely we can but we are inclined to
the belief that there are good many
Democrats in Virginia who would put
just such construction upon that plat
form as the Adrance does, and refuse to
vote for Mr. CLEVELAND. We do not so
construe it. Here is one OF the planks
Fifth. The Democratic party being OF
the people, fsvors such legislation as will
guarantee the broadest protection TO the
interests and welfare of the industrial
masses it recognizes that labor is the
producer of the wealth of q nation. and
that laws should be so framed as to en-
courage and promote the interest, pro
gress, and prosperity of all classes, and
especially of all laboring people.
Weendorse that resolution, but we fear
the Adrance will reject it because it de-
clares for 1.-the broadcast protection to
the interests and welfare of the indus
trial masses" II reads as if there were
Protectionists in Indiana to be concih-
ated. Here is another plank
Fourth. The Democratic party Of In
diana favors such rules and regulations ;
for the civil service, both national and
State. as will secure honest, capable,
and deserving public officers, but where |
honesty, ability, and merit are equal,
we believe there would be both justice
and wisdom in giving preference TO those
who would harmonic in principle and
policy with the party having the respon-
sibility of administration. !
That is sly hit at the Presidents
civil-service-reform policy. II Indiana
Democrats can refuse to sustain him in
respect of the offices, Virginia Demo .
Gratis can afford to reafiirm their own q
State platforms Of the last eighteen ;,
years. Now here is the Indiana tariff =
plank: J.
Third. We are opposed to taking I
money from the pockets of the people :
and holding it in the Treasury Of the {
United States beyond the needs of a q
proper administration Of the Govern &
ment, thus converting it into dead capt. b
tai at the expense of the business OF the
country and encouraging extravagant
and corrupt expenditures To the end =,
that these cruel burdens be removed y
from the taxpayers and that such ex- !,
penditures shall cease, We insist that tho q
taxes on imports be reduced TO the low u
est point consistent with efficiency in the o
public service. and We demand a reyi- II
sion and reform OF the unjust tariff AZ ?
recommended in the late message of the u y
President.
Every Democrat can endorse that reso.
luton. All Democrats would reduce "
the surplus. All OF them are opposed g
to unnecessary taxation. All are in 70. 7
vor of removing all "cruel burthens," u
and all demand revision OF 1.-THE uaj Inst D
tariff. as recommended, &c. 81
But Indiana is not the only State whose
Democrats have improved upon the am. d,
biguity of the Chicago platform of 1884. u
The Democrats Of Marion county, (our :"
Did home West Virginia. in convention ~
assembled, have got ahead OF the last -
Democratic National Convention OF the :,
Virginia platforms OF the last decade =
II the Indiana platform Of 1888 (; and of :. :.
II other platforms. "Here it is" Here ., %
> the model tariff platform: -
"a large surplus constantly accumu- :, :.
Iting in the Treasury is o dangerous d
'snsce to commercial and agricultural LIZ
L. Il =