Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-10
,Aso-n,hn Rennhlican Party.


II is not good policy for any party TO
allow its opponents to make its platform
,ba, il. to advocate or oppose any mea-
sure because ITS opponents advocate or
oppose IT. For example, the Republicans
Of Ohio, in the platform adopted by them
in their State nominating convention OF
this week, declared that 1t was the
ayowed purpose" of the Democratic
marty ito repeal the prohibitory 10
ner cent. tax on bank issues and
abandon the present currency system, the
safest and best ever provided In any ma
ton. and supply its place with cur
rency issued under the authority of
each one of the forty-four States,
which latter currency can never be either
safe or of uniform .value." The Demo-
cratic party, we say, would be unwise in
deed if IL were to accept the gage of battle
thus thrown down and enter the lists as
the champions OF currency system of
which that party has never formally de-
clared itself in favor. Indeed, the New
York World has it from sixty out Of ninety
congressman that they will oppose repeal.
The Chicago convention unwisely and I'M
necessarily took up this subject, but had
the good sense not to pledge our party d.
rectly to the repeal of the 10 per cent. tax
upon the ISSUES of State banks. That con-
yention contented itself with the recon.
mendation that the said tax be repealed.
Under the circumstances which surrounded
the Chicago convention and the wild
excitement which prevailed there in favor
OF the nomination Of Mr.. CLEVELAND upon
any platform or no platform the recon-
mendation in question was made and can
no more be regarded as expressing the
deliberate purpose of the national Demo-
cratic party than declaration IN favor OF
agraded income tax could have been so re-
gsrded. In o word, The Chicago conven-
tons work must be overhauled by the
Democrats of the several States. We in
Virginia have the Populists to fight. re-
inforced by the Republicans, and we must
be careful in formulating our party creed.
The Republicans Of Ohio nominated all
of the old State officers for reelection.
heading the list with Governor MCKINLEY.
They commended the national sdministra-
ton of President HARRISON. They declared
for full and adequate protection to Ameri-
can labor and industries, and for the Nc
KIxLxY tariff bill as the best exemplifca-
ton Of the principle Of protection and
reciprocity" Protection and reciproci-
~" is fine phrase in the mouths Of Re-
pubhoans. but it is contradiction in
terms. Reciprocity is the reciprocal inter
change Of commodities. Protection is the
refusal to interchange commodities. The
Democratic party 10 in favor ofreciprocity
The Republican party h in favor Of pro.
lection. II is noteworthy that the Ohio
Republicans say nothing IS to free
breakfast table or ~ to tariff on sugar.
The wool industry 10 largo one in Ohio.
whose ubhcsns always declare In favor
Of protection TO the wooLgrowsrs. vir-
ginia has. unfortunately. not large wool
interest. but ought to have. The Popu.
lists, however. arc aid to be in favor OF q
tax on dogx II the Democrats and the
Populists unto In tho call tor dog law
ono may possibly DO secured. But. a. VI
have sad before. the Democrats must in
sist upon making their own platform.
Tns Reunhlkpans Of OHIO dsnouncs