Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-04-27

COMMUNICATED.
Are Party Platforms of any Force
Whatever?


Are Party Platforms of any Force
Whatever?
The venerable Richmond Dispatch,
in recent issues, has taken such novel
and dangerous ground upon this ques-
ton that a conclusion as to the real
value ola party platform ought to be
reached. A fair, logical deduction from
the recent teachings of the Richmond
Dispatch, the recognized administration,
organ in Virginia. places the inaugural
address of the executive far beyond and
superior to the pledges made to the peo-
pie in the party platform. What Is
platform? It is a formulation OF the
consensus of the judgment, will and
wishes of a party, as expressed by dele,
gates fresh from the people, and elected
for this purpose. What is the aim ana
object of a party platform =? Twofold.
LIST. Presenting distinct propositions
and policies for discussion and deter
mination by the whole people. "a.
Serves as chart, compass and cheek
on the administration, not only 10 Dc
observed by executive and cabinet, but
by Congress also. As the constitution
and laws of the land are the deposlto-
ries of the past wishes of the people, SO
the party platform is the Synopsis ana
embryo of the present wishes OF The peo-
pie. Before election this platform is
only a candidate for the endorsement
of the people, but after election the
platform of the successful party has the
imprimatur Of the highest expression OF
popular will, and not to be lightly set
aside. We submit that this is the pure,
pristine use and value of q platform, as
prescribed and is practiced by Jefferson,
Henry and the fathers of our republic.
The executive, in earlier days OF democ-
racv, before mugwumpery was as
cendant, was selected as nominee ofthe
party because of his sympathy with,
and devotion to, the platform prlncl-
pies. He stood as the exponent OF
principle. Now we have the anomaly
of an executive, and platform at antip-
odes. Now we have such journals as
the Atlanta Constitution and Richmond
DISPATCH, both claiming to be demo
cratic par excellence, teaching doctrine
Numerically opposed to each other.
The former in simple honesty declares
for a fulfillment of platform pledges on
the tariff. The latter says: "Of course
our Atlanta cotemporary is joking
but Joking upon a serious matter.
The Richmond Dispatch actually de-
rides the Atlanta Constitution for urg-
ing redemption of its tariff pledges.
That paper was foremost and loudest
in its denunciation of republican tariff
robbery. 1t screamed itself hoarse with
its wells of "turn the rascals out and
reform their thieving tariff" 1t advo,
Gated the election Of Cleveland upon
the Chicago platform. Now it derides
its contemporaries, who seek to carry
out that platform. 1t aids and COM
forts the executive in going back on the
platform. 1t suggests to Congress "re-
pudiation" of the plainest platform pro,
vision. "The Chicago platform also
declared that no tariff ought to be
levied except for revenue. Will Con
eress act upon that theory? Nay
rerily" The Richmond Dispatch is mol
Joking. and this is serious question
Here is ground taken hostile to the
earliest doctrines of democracy, sub
versive of the very latest pledges of It's
national convention. 1t has been fol
months an open secret that the recent
election was a triumph ofmugwumpery
but it is only recently suspected that the
Richmond Dispatch would defend such
uudemocratic usurpations.
nENnrRAT