Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-30
A Platform Called For.


LEFT which the Federal Government IL bound
10 respect. Whoever agrees with the Demo-
cratic party on this all-ipportant article OF
its creed ought to be recognized as Demo
crat.
There are Democrats who are to cer-
tam extent PrOteciionsts. They can DO
rood service within the Democratic
party though not claiming to be en-
tirely orthodox, nor recognized as being So
There are other Democrats who do not
agree with the Democratic psrty on the si'
yer question. The National Democratic
Convention OF 1880 declared as follows:
owe believe 10 the honest monoy-gold
and silver coiusge--oi the Constitution and
circulating medium convertible into such
money without loss"
We suppose there are not bali as many
rnonometsllsts ~ bmetallists in the Demo-
cratic party, yet we hold that there is room
in the Democratic patty fer monometallists
and work there for them to do. BY the way.
n is said that the Republicans are so much
afraid that the Democrats will make capital
in the four new States on.the silver question
that they rbe RepublIcans) will probably
soon try TO steal the Democratic thunder on
this question. hoping TO save Montana,
Washington, South Dakota, and North Da'
kOta by protesting TO he bimetallists.
There are some Democrats In Virginia who
do not agree with the body OF the Demo.
cratic party on the debt question. Mr.. Wis
LIAM l.. ROYAL, the Petersburg Index Ap-
peal, the Alexandria Gazette, the Amherst
New Era and other persons aud journals
have their own opinions Of the RIDDLEBER'
GER bill and Of the manner in which the
States creditors should be treated; but
they are ell sound Democrats on the maiu
question-ihat is, the duty OF the Demo
cratic party TO contend for the principles OF
JEFFERSON, MADISON. Monroe, and JACK
son.
In view OF these facts, shall the Demo.
cratic State Convention soon TO be held in
Virginia lay down a platform? The VIM
chester News says it ought to do so. We
quote:
ave msy make whatever question we
choose the issue, and the prevailing issue
Will vary in different sections OF the state
bat the platform is the declaration OF the
party's principles and should speak upon Gil
the living issues Of the day.
"All that the platform contains need not
be the subject OF discussion upon the hust-
ings, but the position OF the Democratic
party should be pronounced and uneqnivo-
cal. It's position upon the tariff and internal
revenue should be iearltssv proclaimed.
There has been always tariff plank in the
plstiorm,-to retain il would call for no
criticism, but 10 omit II would signify q
great deal. There must be no suspicion OF
surrender upon this point. Let the party
principles be emblsZoned upon the party
standard. and let us stand upon that and the
psrty's record IN the state"
1.-THE administration OF Governor Lee has
been wise and iudicious, and our legislative
record il clean and strong. The Agricul.
iurAl Commission has been created, and lbe-
raj appropriations have been made to en-
courage agricultural progress and TO induce
immigrants TO settle Niihin our borders.
The mechanics lien law has been enacted,
SECURING 10 the laborer the price OF his labor.
The schools have been meintaihed aud are
flourishiDg rs they never fiourished before.
The asylums bsve bgeu supported and ens
larged, aud The State debt has been settled rs
nearly IS \ settlement is possible at this time.
This record contrasts strongly with the fraud
and pecaktfon and Encouragement OF the
previous Republican administration.
There has always been a tariff plank in
the platform: TO omit il would signify good
deal, says the News. True enough; but
shall We retain Il as It reads in the Rosnoke
platform, or shall we change 1t? II there
reads as follows:
TARIFF.
Third We favor raising the revenue re-
quisite for the support Of the Federal Gov
eminent by a tariff upon imports, limited TO
the necessities Of the Government ecOnomi-
esllv administered, and 30 adjusted in its sp-
plicatiou rs 20 prevent uneqal burdens, en-
courage productive interests at home, the
DEVELOPMENT Of our msterisl resources, snd
sford Just compensation 90 labor, but not 10
foster monOpoiies.
The BLAIR bill, or rather plank declaring
for Federal aid 10 education IN the States,
was feature Of the Roanoke platform. II
we adopt platform this year and neglect or
fail TO endorse the BLAIR bill, "or = better
one" our nominee for Governor will have
hard row to hoe and our Democratic stump
ers will Wish they had never undertaken to
formulate a creed for this year. We must
have all the good things coutsIned IN pre-.
vious platforms, or the voters will be sure 70
want to know "the reason why " any OF them
were cast aside.
SO as to the public debt. We dare not lay
down q platform without reaiiirming our ad.
berence TO tbs RIDDLEBEKGEs settlement
The Democratic party pledged itself in 1881
"never" 20 support or sarction "any nd.
iustment Of the debt which shall impose
larger liability upon this Commons ealth thar
that recognized sud provided for by" thai
bill.
SO as 70 the iuternal.reyeHue system. We
must again declare for the abolition OF tht
tax on tobacco and fruit braDdies. II II be
said that the las. national platform Of the
Democratic party did no, deelare for H.
abolition, We msy reply that tue Democratic
party OF Virginia cannot ignore a measure o
revenue reform which II has advocated fol-
many years because the Democratic National
Convention did not endorse that measure.
The Democratic State plstiorm OF 1885 De.
elared against convict labor. We must take
care DOT 10 omit tha. declaration. II also de.
elared for elyil-sefyice reform.
We ask for fair play. II there Il 10 DO a
baTbed,wire fence constructed by the next
Democratic State Convention for the pur-
pose OF keeping out men who DO not agree
with one Of the utieranees OF The party in
convention assembled, then there ought 10
be = fence OF the same description con-
strueted for the purpose OF keeping out
each aud all Of the disseDters.