The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-19
ABOUT DEMOCRATIC "PRINCIPLEs.,

One reads much of Democratic ''princi-
pies" There are a great many of them,
and they do not harmonic. If there are
not as many Democratic principles Dem
ocrats it is because so many Democrats
take no interest in principles. They are
simply content to say, II am Democrat
because my father voted for Andrew Jack
son." Then each one knows that if he col
lects a choice assortment of Democratic
principles they are likely to be as worth.
less next year as last years fashion plate.
Recently Senator Hill felt called upon to
define the Democratic principles which he
and New York Democrats generally have
in stock. He declared that income tax
was not Democratic principle and never
had been. He might have further declared
that even Senator Voorhees, was opposed
to such a tax during the war. President
Cleveland, first and last, has had an as
sortment Of principles bearing the brand
Democratic" They are labeled free trade,
anti-fee coinage. sound money, and SO on.
o.
has issued another set of Democratic prin-
ciples. They are free trade for Northern
States. but protection for Alabama coal and
iron ore and Louisiana sugar; the free and
unlimited coinage of silver; the repeal of
the federal tax which prevents the circula-
ton of shinplasters as money, and an in
come tax, because his constituents will pay
none of it and Northern savings banks de-
positors and stockholders in loan associa-
lions will.
There is reason to believe that the Nor
gan brand is the real article-''the original
DR.. Townsend's, blown in the glass;" More
Democrats believe in or adhere to that set
Two-thirds of the Democrats in Congress
indorse them. Besides, they are not only
the most vicious set of principles in exist
ence, but they are nothing else than vicious,
which is the unimpeachable evidence of
their genuineness. The most of them were
held by the Populists two years ago. In
fact, the income tax was originally a Pop
ulist principle, and in the South the lead
ers of that party are angry because the
Democrats have appropriated it as a dis
covery of their own. The Populists might
retaliate by espousng the proposition to re-
peal the tax on State bank notes, but they
have declared for national legal-tender
money, and against any sort of bank paper
If bank paper should not be made redeem
able in coin or in anything having intrinsic
value, the Popuists may accept the Demo-
cratic principle labeled free issue of shin
plasters."
That there be no mistake about the DEM
ocratic principles held by the largest num-
Der of Democrats, let us recapitulate again:
"Open markets for the foreign competitors
of Northern industries, but specific duties
on Southern coal, iron ore and sugar; the
free coinage of forty-seven cents worth of
silver bullion into legal-tender dollars for
silver bullion spectators and silver mine
reach all prudent people who have savings
in banks and loan associations; the right
of each State to assert its sovereignty by
permitting corporations to issue an un-
sound currency without legal-tender quail
ity, to the end that spectators may live
from the toll of the poor, who will be
forced to take such money"
Take a vote of the Democrats In Con-
gress. and two-thirds of them would say
aye to the foregoing principles" put,
to be sure. in different language. How
many sensible men believe that such prin-
ciples. If put in force, would not bring
general disaster?