New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-15
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

THE DEHOCH11Ny 1L5ifOAA'
In accordance with time-honored custom
the Democrats assembled in convention to-day
al Saratoga will adopt platform before they
nroceed to nominate candidates. II there IS
one thing more than another to which the Dem
ocratic party is professionally attached it is
time-honored custom. Whatever it ices or
thinks of doing, leaves undone or refuses to
think about at all. is done or thought or neg
lected or rejected in accordance with time
ored custom 1t makes not the slightest differ
ence to a Democrat that time has 'dishonored
every principle and policy identified with his
party he keeps right on just the same, boast
ing. deprecating and declaring after the old
time-honored fashion.
And that is what he will do at Saratoga.
He will arragn and condemn, and view with
alarm, and point with pride, and hail with satis-
faction, and affirm with confidence, just as If
these macdictons and emotions and auguries
were the most sublime and benefcent outpour-
ings Of the soul And when it appears to the
convention that every interest which controls
votes has been coddled and the charge drawn
out Of every loaded issue, that its friends have
been duly praised and its enemies sufficiently
disdained, that there is nothing in the resoIu-
tons which cannot be cut loose and set adrift
at any moment, and that the rag tag and bob
tail of the party are not going to be able to find
fault-then the platform will go through with
rush and nominations will be in order.
If Democratic resolutions meant anything ex-
cept grovelling conception of expediency the
present task would be harder than usual. For
at no time in recent years have there been so
many members Of the party in this State in a
stabbing and slashing humOr nor 50 many Others
in a fearful and respondent frame OF mind
Tammany is permeated with discomfort at the
selfish and domineering policy of its leaders,
and across the East River is a hostile faction
which longs for chance to make profit out OF
an omen quarrel Governor Hill has toiled des-
peratey to keep the whole Democratic machine
under his control, but he has not been entirely
successful, and his partial successes have been
enormously costly. He has made wounds which
no later concessions will heal, and in every part
of the State can be heard bitter denunciations
of his selfish despotism. 1t is very doubtful if
he will be able to placate the Leutenant-Gov-
ernor that is to be- and the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
that is he has driven into jubilant hostility. In
lIcI. ObUtTdl JOucS II dbOub liiS oIig DNhiONiUN
in sight who is enjoying himself these days.
1t is going to be great year for weighing
machines, whatever happens. and he has fully
made UP his mind not to be found wanting.
Under these circumstances, if the Saratoga
Convention were not a Demcciaic convention
there would be grave danger of fight over
the distribution of encOmums. But as it is,
several hundred men with knives up their.
sleeves and every intention OF cutting some
body's heart out during the campaign, will cheer
vocifer0usly over the wise, able and brilliant
administration of David B. Hill, who has re-
allied the loftiest conception of a Democratic
executive. They will assent with boundleSs en-
thusiasm to the proposition that the party was
never before so harmonious, 50 devoted heart
and soul, from top to bottom, to the welfare OF
the State, and so confident of overwhelming its
adversaries in irretrievable ruin. If three or
four Of the leaders happen to think that ma
jority Of the voters want all their dollars to be
of equal value the convention will rise up
vociferousy and condemn free and unlimited
coinage of silver. If the platform informs them
that a debased and iiuctulting medium of eX
change has undeniable merits the delegates will
adopt that declaration with tumultuous APP
plause The platform will not trouble them a
particle so long as they are told that it is all
right. They will not care whether the reSolu-
tons hold water or not so long as they hold
plenty of whiskey. The machinery will not
crcak until it begins to grind out candidates,
and perhaps the oil will last until adjournment.
But then look out for smoke, sparks and an
explosion.