Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-22
The Democratic Greed.


Just as Mr.. J. c. Manning, of Mont
gcmery. Ala, president Of the Southern
Ballot-Rights League, which was organ
lied IN New Orleans a few weeks ago,
IS trying to attract the attention of the
country. and Malone and the Populists
and the Republicans tn Virginia are pre-
pairing to combine against the Demo-
cratic party here. Senator Hin comes TO
the conclusion that now is n good time
10 remind the old Democratic party OF
The principles upon which ii was founded,
and which constitute its title to life-its
raison d'etre IT Is time for some Demo
cratic leader 10 open his eyes to the
situation. Mr. Manning's Ballots-Rights
League will Of course attack the Walton
law OF Virginia. and seek in the Populist
and Republican parties for allies In the
work Of destroying the Democratic or
eanization Ii would indeed be placing
the wolf in charge Of the lamb TO place
the originators Of tissue ballots In VIZ
ginia at the head OF party professedly
organized TO purify the ballot.
We observe with pleasure that In some
are organizing for the May elections and
consequently for the November elections.
Now Is no time for true and faithful
Democrats anywhere TO be posing as bal
Iot-reformers. Whatever Is offered to
them in the way OF compromise Is OF
fsred only because they know that in
this old Commonwealth Populists Repub-
ucans and Ballot-Leaguers will in vain
combine TO toll Democrats from their
own party into any new party OF what
ever name. Whatever Is needed by the
people will be done for them by good
and true men within the Democratic or
ganization.
The recent speech Of Senator Hin at
Albany appears to have been intended
as a campaign document. 1t was so well
studied out that Il seems 10 have been
the work OF abundant time and oppor-
tunity There are some features Of 1t
which will not meet with universal
favor. But that does not matter. seeing
that II Is not, and does not claim TO
be an utterance Of the Democratic party,
but that OF a member OF that party.
We ask the reader to peruse 1t care
FULLY. Senator HIN said:
1.-The Democratic party consists OF a
majority Of the American people who
believe in Democratic principles or gov
eminent. who care little for Offices and
patronage. but desire honest admfcstra-
lion and good government everywhere;
who favor state rights; who believe an
legislation TO subserve the greatest good
for the greatest number, and not 10 adj
10 a.
pense OF the many: who DO not believe
IN governmental partnership with private
Interests, but believe in public taxation
for public purposes only. and are opposed
90 the raising OF any more revenues or
the imposition Of any more taxes than
are actually needed for the legitimate
purposes of the nation: who favor equal
taxation: who desire the greatest liberty
for the Individual citizen consistent with
the public welfare; who are opposed 10
all unjust sumptuary laws which need
Iessiy interfere with the habits and Gus
toms OF the people: who are opposed 70
Federal election laws and force bills. %
piutOcracy and to class distinctions and
20 paternai government; who are IN
favor OF money OF intrinsic value, the
money Of our fathers. the coined money
OF the Constitution: who desire to have
legislation. national and State. framed
upon consistent principles applicable &c
all political parties alike; who are opposed
tc summary removals OF officials (excep,
for just cause duly ascertained) befors
the expiration OF their terms fixed by
law"
As we have said, there are features II
this creed which may not be In the plat
form Of the next Democrats natioEa
convention; but taken as IL stands q
nevertheless epitomizes the creed OF tn
Democratic party.