Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-01
Thu RSDAY OCTOBER /. 1891
Massachusetts Democracy.

trast Massachusetts, Democracy with the
Democracy OF the southern and western
States and 10 mention the fact that Massa-
chusetts had not chosen Democratic
elector Of Presiden. Of tho United States
during the last fifty years. We might
have made tho period longer one. That
old State had no sympathy with Virginia
politics even when JYFFFRsoS III lsOo.
MADISON in 1909. and MoNBoE in 1916 began
e. represent this State in the Execu-
tive chair She voted for JOHN QUINCY
ADAMS, her own son. in 1924. In 1873
and 1882 JAcKsoS was elected President.
Ia 1870 HARRISON was elected, for whom
Massachusetts, voted. but he was not II
Democrat. In a word, Massachusetts,
figures as o Democrat in State and national
conventions, but not III presi lental cleo
tions When there is any work 10 lie
donc-any election of President OF the
United States to take placc--she always
appears under the banner Of the party
which opposes the Democrats. In fact, II
was in ante-bellum days Il standing lokc
and reproach upon Massachusetts, that her
Democrats never allowed the Democratic
party in that State to become 50 numerous
tina, the Federal Offices 10 le divided out
IN that State could not "Co around.'
CHARLFs SUMNER and Beast Butler were
ante-bellum examples Of Massachusetts,
Democracy. IUrLYR was n member Of the
Charleston Democratic National Conyen-
iion Of 1850. which adjourned to Baltimore
after numerous unprpductiye ballots had
been taken. on all Of which ballots BUTLER
voted 10 make JEFF. DAVIS the Democratic
nominee for President OF the United
States When the convention reassembed
III Baltimore. there was BUTLER with his
bogus Massachusetts Democrats aiding
and encouraging the Sec.ssiOnst portion
Of the convention. And when the Ma
tional Convention divided INTO two con-
ventions. the DOUGLAs or Union Demo
cratic National Convention, and the
BRrcKISRipGR or SeccssiOn;st Democratic
National Convention. BUTLER and his con-
tingent Of Massachusetts, Democrats. 80
called were found III the SecessiOnist Con-
ven.ion. Ia that body they voted for the
nomination of BRECKISRIDGE. We need
not tell how he afterwards went into the
Union army and treated the South so
badly that he was outlawed by the Con-
federate authorities.
What sort of Democrats are these Mas
sschusetts Democrats anyhow? We an
swer that as they never cast an electoral
vote for a Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent Of the United States. they are not
entitled TO much consideration in Demo-
cratic national conventions. They ought
10 be drummed ont Of the Democratic
camp if their crankiness is to result in
nothing but embarrassment to the real
Democrats Of the country. They are
JOHNNY Hooks, crying Beef. Beef!
or rather Cold" "Gold!' and should
be looked upon as JOHNNY Hook
was looked upon by the Revolutionary
soldiers Of his neiehborhood. The dis
cordant voice Of Massachusetts, if heard
in Republican National Convention
would no longer be discordant but heard
in a Democratic Convention. II is an insult
20 the twerty-three Democratic State Con-
ventions which have declared more or less
decidedly in favor of the free coinage OF
silver. il this movement was intended
to strengthen Mr.. CLEVELAND with the
Democrats Of the South and West. 1t will
fail of its object. However, whilst Mr.
CLEvILANp is "a monometallist he is not to
be held responsible for the action of the
gold-bug. mugwump Democracy of the
Old Bay State. Now read again the silver
resolution Of the Massachusetts Demo
Gratis:
1--WE believe in homes, money, the gold and
- . E.u FL. M In
rency convertible into such coinage without loss
This declaration. expressing the uniform historic
policy Of the national Democratic party and con-
tained In its platforms Of 1884 and 1883, we I'M
reserysdly reaIirm. We believe that oil dollars
coined by the United States should bo OF equal
intrinsic value, aud that all paper currency H.
sued by the Government should be redeemable
IN either gold or silver coin, at the option Of the
holder and not at the discretion Of the secre-
tary Of the Treasury. While we believe
81 the use Of both gold and silver money
and In the full reconciliation Of the latter
metal by international agreement, we are equal
~ opposed 70 the free and unlimited coinage of
silver by our Government independent OF the
action 81 other nations and TO the dangerous
silver legislation enacted at the last session Of
Congress We denounce the claim OF the Re
publican leaders Of this state that they are the
friends Of n sound currency as false and hypo-
critical and charge them with tho sole and
direct responsibility for the present dangerous
condition Of the currency
II Is not so much what is said in the
above resolution rs what Is implied that
makes il so offensive 10 the southern and
western Democrats. Besides. it ia not
pleasant 10 reflect that Massachusetts, will
IN axt
National Convention as Virginia will.
Let us add that the Virginia Democrats
believe in honest money" They believe
that the FIRE. coinage of silver will make it
housst money; that all dollars issued by
the United States should be of equal in
,rinsic value; that all United States paper
money should be redeenablo in coin: that
IN international agreement ought 10 be en-
tered into, and may be forced by the
United States; that the Repub lican leaders
of Massachusetts, are as bad a. tho Demo-
cratic leaders Of Massachusetts,. and that
the SHERMAN law Of last winter cannot be
too severely denounced. We in Virginia
have denounced that law because II makes
silver mere commodity. but the Massa-
chusetts Democrats denounce il because il
did not treat silver a. base metal. Our
Virginia creed is as sound as gold dollar
or silver one, but the Massachusetts,
Democrats charge us by implication with
all sorts Of financial heresies.
Well. we have said more than we set out
T 10 say concerning the Massachusetts, Demo.
cratic State Convention OF Tuesday. As
the founder Of this paper used 70 say
sometimes under similar circumstances,
1--WE are satisfied now" But we must add
that the resolution above quoted is only O
portion Of the Msssac husetts platform,
which declaresfor Mugwumpisrn generally
- wall ss for gold for free schools furnish
ed with free school books. Ia word. the
Massachusetts, Democratic platform is a
Massachusetts, Democratic platform
All these things point TO stormy Demo-
cratic National Convention IN 1892. The
States which will have TO elect the next
-. 4 A a. g