Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-24
rhnt Platform.

The nlatforrn laid down at Chicago by the
Republican National Convention IL rare
structure. The more It is examined the
greater is the surprise that there should be
now In existence party which, condemning
itself by ITS own utterances, tells 10 pam
language that 1t ought to have been buried
ont Of sight twenty years AGO. Sectionalism
IS bad enough under any circumstances; but
10 pander tOasectionalism that is based upon
conditions which have not obtained Tor
twenty years is to renounce all claim TO be-
ing considered patriotic.
The Republican party began its successful
career in 1860 BY denouncing In its platform
Of that rear those twin relics OF barbarism
slavery and polysamY." 1t was, therefore,
natural for tie malguaDts in Chicago TO in
troduce plank into their platform OF 1883
denouncing polvgamy. Like the resolution
IN regard 10 the Brazil negroes, the anti
Mormon resolution was supposed 10 be IN
some sort hit at the South not that the
southern people have ever approved 20
tganv. but because a southern institution
was twenty-eight years ago denounced by
the Republicans IN connection with de-
nuncption Of MOrmonism. Perhaps, too,
the mention Of the name OF LINCOLN recalled
tho fact that he had. rather incopsistently
with his oath Of Office, issued prociama-
ton emancipatiug the negroes; and the
Chicago bunmers thought II might be well
once mere to denounce both slavery and
polygamy.
60 Blinded were the members OF the Chi
cago Convection by their maleySlence to-
wards the south that they insulted our IRISH
feiow-cttizens by coupling them with the
negroes OF Brazil, or rather by sending con-
gratulsiions TO their fell0w> americans OF
Brazil. sud then slguiiying that the Irish
are not fellow americans at all, but merely
feIloW-citizeus OF Irish birth. Well, this
last offence may be forgiyeH, seeing that the
Brazllans are Americans by birth and the
Irish are not; but the Irish will not be 80
ready to overlook the offence OF making
them play second fiddle 10 the negroes. The
IRISH are net slaves. They are white free
men-pure Caucssians. Why should re-
ference to the slaves Of Brazil suggest the
Irish people to the Chicago malignsntsY
Here are the two Objectionable sentences:
owe send fraternal congratulations 10
our fellow A mericsns OF Brazil upon their
great act ei emancipation, which completed
the sbelItiOn Of slavery throughout the two
American continents.
awe earnestly hope that we may soon
cODgraulate our w-citiZeus OF Irish
birth upon the peaceful recovery Of home
rule for Ireland"
The following resolution touching the
5iugwumps is totally out Of place in ma
tional platform. What propriety was there
IN laying down such plank as this: b.
"The men who abandoned the Republican
party In 1854 aud continue TO adhere TO the
Democratic parry have deserted not only
the cause OF honest government, OF sound
Gnznce. OF freedom, Of purity Of the ballot,
but especially have deserted the cause OF re-
form In the civil service"
Altogether the platform is rare specimen
OF workmanship. We have In three several
articles shown that the Democratic stumpers
will have plain sailing before them next fall
when they meet their Republican opponents
on the hustings.