The sun., 1893-07-01
Wriggling OF the Platform.

We are sorry to see that the Buffalo
Courier is trying to squirm away from the
Democratic platform. For instance:
~ -we do not believe th there 10 largo number OF
Democrats who recognize the platform adopted by tho
Chicago Convention of 1902 an infalbie declara.
tion OF Democratic prncipes and policies, and that
the party must regard itself as absolutely bound to
sysry sentence and expression OF it. Most Democrats
who have closely examined that noteworthy political
Document will admit that. IL it were to be adopted
sgan. 1t could bo materially improved by certain
ehangea"
B; II any part Of tho platform Is not to
our Buffalo contemporary mind, 1t has a
right to say 80; but in assuming that there
II no particular binding force In the Demo-
cratic promises. 1t seems to be trying to
cover it's own nakedness or cowardice with
the pretence that the platform doesn't
amount to much anyhow. Doubtless there
are plenty OF Democrats who think that
they could improve the phraseology of the
platform. and others who would like to re-
place tho original declaration Of the Com
mittee On Resolutions in regard to revenue
thrills instead Of Mr.. LAWRENCE T. MEALS
substitute. but this substitute was adopt
ed by>the Convention. and must stand.
therefor4 Us tho opinion and wish Of the
Democratic party. Until a new National
Convention is held. the party is bound by
the platform OF the Convention Of 1892.
absolutely bound by every sentence and
expression thereof. 1t has made it's con-
traot, and It cannot honorably or feasibly
try to get out Of 1t by saying that 1t has
changed Its mind, or would make differ
ent contract now. OF course. the declara-
lions OF National Convention are not "in-
fallible" in tho sense OF being free from
error and the possibility OF error: but. error
or no error. they are authoritative and final
until tho next Convention. There Is no
ether way TO ascertain the opinions Of the
whole Democratic party as to public policy
than to call National Convention: and the
policies approved by that Convention are
the policies Of the party until the next Con-
yention. Unless Convention declarations
were 30 regarded and so respected, the
party would have neither dignity nor con-
sistency nor responsibility. A pretty figure
the Democracy would cut IL 1t were to follow
the Buffalo Courier. and whimper like
d whipped child. II didn't mean it."
Tho platform is tho constitution and by
laws of tho Democracy for four years. 1t
can alter them in tho wny by which it
mado them. 1t can alter them In no other
twill dishonor itself.
So much for tho imperative obligations Of
tho platform in general. Now for particu-
lnr part OF that platform which the BuGaso
Cburier Is trying to nullify:
4" Republican papers and Tnx Sun have recently rs.
ffsraied tho old uisstatement that tho Democratic
platform OF the last year has denounced protection
atrapi-, The most advanced OF tariff reformers and
opponents OF the Republican policy would hardly go so
fAr as ,ha. senic OF them may believe that protee'
tsn has always been delrsion. and that the indus
tria aud economical condition of the country would
not be but better to-day no protective duty
had been levied. But these. while holding
that protection is and always has been mistaken
pqiiey. could declare It deliberately dishonest
policy for that is unquestionaby the meaning of the
word fraud in tbs connection. II the Chicago Con.
ssnton had used such language. II It had thus
ebsrscterzed the system OF protection which in this
country Ia much older than the party which b RESPONSE
l1sfor our sxstinE tarn system. no one would now
to defend language so mmOderate and eccentric"
SThen the Courier quotes the denuncia-
tion OF Republican protection as fraud.
asrobbery Of the great majority Of the
american people for the benefit OF the few"
and tries to show. after the manner OF the
other weak-kneed brethren. that the en-
phasis is on the word Republican" and
that thereby "the Chicago Convention de-
nouncod as a deliberate deception and a
sxindlo upon the American people that
system of'protection which is embodied In
tho Republican tariff OF 1890" We must be
pardoned for believing that 1t Is dlsingenu-
ousness rather than density Of the intel
lectuals that produces such lodging OF the
facts. The very next sentence In the plat
form proves that not Republican protection.
but all protection Is denounced as fraud.
"ws declare IL to bs fundamental principle OF the
Democratic party the FEDERAL Government has
power 10 Impose and collect tA-in duties except for
the purpose OF only; and demand that the
solsotion OF such shah be limited to the
stiles the dovsrnmsnt when honestly administered"
Thus. protection is fraud against the
people. because 1t is n fraud against the
Constitution. The word Republican" In
the first sontepce OF the tariff declaration |
is In fact. superiiuous Protection cannot |
be Democratic, because the Democratic doc
trine is that no tax can bs constitutional |
al..ch is not lail for revnlus only. Tho !