The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-30
DrMoCRATIC PLATFORMS.

As state Convention after state conNen'
,ion of the Democratic party in every sec.
tion Of the Union come together, and give ef'
pression TO the political sentiments OF then
m.mbers. il Is seen that the party has never
before been so closely united by the force
of a common feeling or so strongly s,imuia-
ted by the impulses of common purpose
The platform Ofthe Democratic convention
which assembled at Indianapolis on 1hurs-
dav. is but faithful echo of the platforms
of all the Democratic Conventions which
have preceded it, and this is the very high
est encomium which can he passed upon
the ability with which ii is drawn. In all
these platforms, in the Indiana platform as
well as i'm those that went before 1t, there Is
n tone that reveals that so far from the
Democratic party being oyerawed 10y the
arbitrary course of the Republicans during
,be nresent session Of Congress, or dis
couraged by the successful contamination
of some OF the most outrageous OF their
schemes, that party has not only been LOOK
ing 10 the future with resolute courage ana
the tirmest confidence. but has been oppos-
ing the measures Of the Republicans with
patriotic zeal and vigor that would enutle
it 10 the eternal gratitude of the American
people. lift had no other claim TO the ma
tional consideration.
Holding the rens of legislative power,
the history Of the Republican party during
the present session Of Congress is written in
its acts, acts that Will consign 1t to lasting
odium in American annals because utterly
inimical TO the safety and prosperity OF
American institutions. If the Republican
party were given the fullest liberty to en-
force every purpose which it has recently
been striving to carry into effect, the pres
ent framework of our government would
he practically destroyed. The established
institutions of the republic would come to
a fall without having been preceded by a
serious decline.
The speeches that have been delivered IN
Congress by Democratic members in oppo-
sition TO the Republican measures nave
been deserving Of the warmest cOmmenda-
ton. but the best expression OF Democratic
sentiment with reference to these measures
is TO be found in the series of platforms
which only few days ago received nota-
Bile addition in the resolutions which consti-
tuted the platform of the Democratic Con-
yention of Indiana. 1t is TO these platforms
that the American public must look for the
strongest expression Of that devotion to our
republican principles of government ana
tina, Latred of every form OF tyranny,
whether domestic or foreign, which charac-
terizes every American citizen whose spirit
can rise above the lowest plane OF parli'
sanTy.
As Democratic platform after platform
is drawn and comes before the pub
lie. the protest which they embody
seems to grow louder and more weighty
because its justice becomes more apparent
AS the Republicans in Congress grow more
reckless of the nature and consequences OF
their legislative acts. This protest has PEN
etrated the ear of the American people and
it will receive reply at the Congressional
elections in the fall that will shake the throne
Of Reed and the principles which he repre-
sents into thousand fragments which nc
political joiner can ever again reunite into
their original shape.