Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-08
WEDNESDAY. 80. AUGUST 8. 1894
A,.b.m. xl.o.ion-rhe Platform.

8AxRVoAA4e
The results Of the elections held In Ala
Oama on Monday last indicate that the
Democrats may reasonably hope to Sc
cure a majority in the next national
House OF Representatives provided new
tariff bill shall become the law OF the
lana before the present session of Con-
press shall end. Georgia has q delegation
eolidly Democratic (eleven) in the present
House of Representatives.. The House OF
Representatives stands Democrats AS ana
Republicans LA 0aking no note OF changes
which have been made in the cases OF
contested eiectIons). The Democrats cam
not possibly lose the control of that body
~ II passes tariff bill before adjourning.
We fear that 1t might be said with equal
truth that they cannot hope TO retain con-
troll OF that body II It fails to pass new
tariff bill before adjourning.
There were a number of important Is
sues involved In the Alabama election.
First. was the question OF the return OF
Mr.. Morgan to the seat In the United
States Senate, which he has so well hiied
for many years. He took the stump, not
for himself particularly, but for the DEM
ocratic party, and his unbounded popu-
lar,ty added to his abilities as speaker
had much to do with carrying Alabama
for the Democrats. He may be considered
ms already reelected to the United states
Senate.
The Nicaragua canal scheme was an
other issue in the Alabama election, Mr..
Morgan had distinguished himself by MS
outspoken advocacy of that scheme. we
are not surprised that any southern man
should feel an interest in this projected
great international highway OF commerce.
but we are surprised when we ma SOUTH
ern men opposing its construction OF
rather. opposing the proposition that the
United States Government shall lend It's
countenance and its credit TO 1t.
The late Alabama Democratic state
Convention also came out very solidiy IN
favor of 1.-THE reform of the tariff and the
sneedy repeal Of the 10 per cent tax on
the issues of State banks we doubt
whether this declaration this Is just the
way in which the two subjects were INK
ed together) brought up many voters 10
the support OF the ticket. But however
this may be, the fact remains that the
State Convention pledged the Democrats
of Georgia to those two measures.
But the utterances of the Alabama
Democrats on the subject Of the free
coinage of silver and on the general policy
of Mr.. Cleveland's Administration We're
the most prominent issues in the election
of Monday. These utterances were as
follows:
1.-THE Democracy Of Alabama, in con-
yention assembled. reaffirm the princi-
ples of the Democratic party IS declared
in the platform of our party at Chicago
in 1892 and congratulate the country upon
the success of those principles In the
triumphant election of Grover Cleveland.
who by his generous treatment or our
people has shown that he Is the Presi-
dent Of the whole country, knowing no
North, no South, no East, no West
1--WE recognize the wisdom and patriot
ism Of our President and believe in his
fealty to the principles Of our party. and
endorse his administration of the Federal
Government While some Of us may diff
fer from him In matters of policy, we
are agreed In the belief that lie Is actu-
ated by motives of highest patriotism
and by an unselflsh devotion to the
highest good of the whole people.
While there are differences of opinion
nmong us I'm matters of detail, We all be-
lleye in the free coinage of silver when
ever IL can be done consistently with the
maintenance of q sound and safe cur
rency."
These utterances bear upon their face
the marks Of Compromise. They were
worded as they are in order to bring
up TO the support of the State ticket and
OF the county candidates all factions of
the Democratic party. This platform is
drawn up with the utmost care. as every
body will perceive who shall give 1t a
careful reading. If the Democrats of
any congressional district in Virginia
shall find themselves at loss as to what
sort Of platform TO lay down, let them
adopt the Alabama compromise.
But for the clouds that lower in Wash
iEgton city on the Democratic party and
its policy, we should feel like exclaiming,
as Father Richie used TO exclairn on nc
casion. 'The skies are bright and bright
ening" So long. however. as Congress
shall continue to wrong the Democratic
party and the country. by its dilatori-
ness-nay. by its refusal TO do Its bounden
duty--there viii be no occasion afforded
10 any good Democrat for rejoicing In
anything which that body may do.
a.