New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-10
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.

Once more Chicago invited all sOund-mOney
Democrats to walk out by yesterdays vote OF
626 for the Free Silver and Anarchy platform
against Senator Hills amendment. Inc seiz
ing Of 20 votes in Michigan and 16 in Nebraska
by decision of contests gave the revolutiohisls
more than the two-thirds vote which they de-
sired and predicted. Not line or word was
changed in the most indecent platform ever
offered to National Convention Opposition
of New-YOrk and other Eastern States only
made the mOrsel sweeter to the palate OF men
whose shameless complaint Is that the East
has loaned money and wants to be paid Sen
atOr Hill made, as he usually makes, speech
which was adroit rather than strong. and While
he reused the utmost enthusiasm OF the Demo
Gratis who are derisively called 'straddle-bugs
at Chicago he did not affect vote, nor did
he fail to advertise himself as a Jealous b.
metallist His assertion that, excepting the
money plank, other parts of the platform were
exactly like thO,e Of the Republican party, was
a wasted untruth, at once impudent and with
ont effect The Senator himself, with much
more reason, might have been charged with
Offering the Republican money plank In place
of the Democratic, and supporting 1t with
arguments borrowed from Republicans. 1t
was for Democratic ears q good speech, but
sheer waste of time, for everybody knew what
the result would be-
Virtually thrust out Of their own party. the
sound-money Democrats are advised to stick
TO their seats. lest others should actually or
constructively fill them. but to refuse to vote
This course had the shining merit OF making
II easier for the widest fanatics to secure for
any favorte twothirds Of the votes actually
cast. If the 300 who followed Mr.. Hill were
TO withdraw their seats would be "dlled' anu
their votes cast for them by an omnibus load
of delegates or alternates. who would stay II
they voted at ALL they deprived the silver men
of some part of the rope with which they might
hang themselves. For men in such position
II must be admitted, some allowance must De
made. even if they are largely responsible, as
many of them are, for the fostering and en-
couragement and the broken promises IN 1S)2
which have produced disaster for the country
and this wild outbreak for the Democratic
party The gold Democrats seem to have
chosen TO make the revOlutionists offensive to
the country by compelling them to exhibit as
much as possible their real spirit and char
acter. Afterward separate ticket can still be
set up, through the measures adopted Mt the
first meeting Of the gold Democrats, provided
1t is thought wise, but the question needs care
ful study. for that course obviously might help
in some directions and hurt in others.
The nominating speeches, which began at
about o'clock last night, New-York time, were
not expected to possess very thrilling interest
for the outside world But thoughtful people
will probably find in them much food for future
digestion. Altgeld and Tilman and Bryan have
already contributed something to the worlds
knowledge of this tailof-the-century Democ-
racy. Not even the silver enthusiasts who
proposed to finish things on Wednesday, had
any expectation Of reaching nomination last
night, and the complimentary first ballot often
means nothing But 1t is further revelation
of the character Of this Democratic party that
Bland, of Missouri, still seems likely to be the
first choice Of more delegates than any other
candidate and that stampede for Bryan, OF
Nebraska, is actually thought possible.