The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-17
Garb,,pp Mr. Ruvner,s speecn.

The Neac York Times Is trying to make
the Hon. IsIDoR RAYNER Of Maryland a
witness in favor of its plan for the repudia-
ton Of the Democratic platform. During
Mr. RAYNER's speech in the House on Fri
day, member inquired II he was In favor
OF keeping the other pledges in the Demo-
cratic platform as we'll as the pledge to re-
peal the makeshift SHERMAN act. Accord
ing to an editorial article in the Times. Mr..
RAYNER expressed Ibis contempt for the
twaddle that Is still occasionally heard
about living up to platform Pledges In
these words:
"As far as am concerned. desire to say that at
this critical hour Of the country's need mn not In
tho slightest degree disturbed intmidated by the
glittering catchwords of political conventions am
guided by purer and higher faith. 1believe In for
striking from tho tensts Of creed the super
stious folly that tho nation grows prosperous In pro-
portion to the of worthless money 1t can coin:
and In lieu Of this idolatry would plant high our
affairs that all mankind could read. the inscription
which, like pillar of fire. will lead ms to deliverance,
that We believe in honor much we do in our
liberty and that would rather fall and perish than
dishonor any of the obligations upon which we have
imprinted emblazoned the emblem OF tho republic"
AS the Democratic platform calls for the
maintenance Of the parity Of gold and sill
yer. Mr.. RAYNER's remarks about worth
less money can contain no reference to that
platform; and his remarks about the gilt
tering catchwords Of political conven-
lions" must have been meant for such con-
ventions as the recent silver meeting in
Chicago and the political conventions in
the silver States. That he had no intention
Of setting himself up as higher law than
ha Nott al ~ rfy ~
recommending his party to dishonor itself
by dishonoring Its pledges. is clear from
this report in The Sun OF last Saturday:
"A few months ago the Democracy of the Union in
convention assembled denounced IN the most vehe-
terms the SIBERIAN BILL and pledged itself to its
repeal. lie was in favor Of keeping that pledge
"Amember inquired whether Mr.. RArSrR was In favor
ofkeeping the other pledges m ade in that platform
"Mr RArsrR REPLIED that he know that the deelara-
lions of that had construed in various
to tho views of the interpret
ing them. but there ambiguity about the plat
FORM and there escape from the binding obga-
tions imposed upon the Democratic party except by
base betrayal of tho people. tho Democratic party
betrayed the people now. 1t might DO long time before
1t had another opportunity to betraY them"
Then follows the passage quoted by the
Times. The part Of Mr.. RAYNER's speech
preceding that quotation shows that he in
sists upon making good the Democratic
obligations. not upon repudiating any Of
them. There is nothing In his speech which
can justly be taken as contempt for the
twaddle about living up to platform
pledges" However. we may look to the
Ne,o York Times. If it carries its backslid-
ing much further. for contempt for the
twaddle that n man should keep his word.
II a party. which is only a collection OF men.
is justified in breaking its word. surely any
ono man is likewise justified: and il he may
lie in politics. how shall general license to
lie DO refused to him?