The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-31
Red Wing Mans Idea of the Issues
OF the Day.

To the Editor Of the Globe
For the purpose of comparing the platform
of 1886 of the Democratic party as adopted
at Chicago with that of former ones, l sub
NIT the following extracts. as far as pertin-
emit to the questions of today. The test of
true Jeffersonian Democracy is embraced In
Equal rights to all-special privileges to
none. He who follows this in theory and
practice is true Democrat. and he who
Is not In bearing with that principle be-
longs to the opposite-the monarchial ele-
ment, though he may call himself follower
Of Jefferson.
From the platform of the Democratic party
in 1885, I'VE declare unqualified hostility to
bank notes and paper money as circulating
medium, because gold and silver is the only
safe and constitutional currency-hostility to
any and all monopolies by legislation, because
they are violations Of equal rights Of the
people-hostility to the dangerous and un-
constitutional creation of vested rights or
prorogatives by legislation, because they are
usurpations OF the peoples sovereign rights.
We hold that each and every law or act
OF incorporation passed by preceding legisla-
lures can be rightfully altered and repealed
by their successors, and that they should be
altered and repealed when necessary for the
public good and when required by major
ity of the people
From the platform of 1856: THAT we be-
lieve such an Institution national bank) one
of deadly hostility to the best interests of the
country, dangerous to our republican insti-
buttons and the liberties of the people, and
try within the control of a concentrated
money power
From the platform of 1858: Where the
obligations of the government do not ex-
pressly state upon their face or the law under
which they were issued, does not provide that
they shall be paid in coin. they might in
right and in justice to be paid In the lawful
money of the United States equal
taxation for any species of property accord
ing to the value, including government bonds
and any other public securities. One cur
and thn
the laborer and the off1ceholder, the pensioner
and the soldier, the producer and the bond
holder"
From the platform of 1880: Honest money,
consisting of gold and silver and paper, con-
vertible into coin on demand"
From the platform of 1892: 1--WE denounce
protection as fraud, a robbery Of the great
majority of the American people for the bene-
fit of the few. We denounce the Mckinley
tariff as eliminating atrocity of class leg
1sla The homes and farms Of the coun-
try have become burdened with a real estate
mortgage debt Of two and half billion dol
lars, exclusive of all other forms Of indebted
ness
eve denounce the Sherman act Of 1890 az
cowardly makeshift fraught with POSSIBLE
tiles Of danger in the future
We hold the use of both gold and silver as
the standard money of the country and to the
coinage of both without discriminating against
either metal or charge for mintage but the
dollar unit OF coinage OF both metals must be
OF equal intrinsic and exchangeable value or
or by such safeguards of legislation as shall
insure the maintenance of a parity of the
metals and the equal power of any dollar at
| all times IN the markets, and the payments of
debts, and on demand, that all paper cur
rency shall be kept at par with and redeem
able in such coin. We recommend that the
| prohibftary 10 per cent tax on state bank
Issues be repealed. "
| Now will you, who are SO fond of boasting
OF ancient Democratic doctrines and platforms
point out to me, in what way the platform
lie tn
| Of 1885, or more dishonest or dishonorable than
| that of 1868; that you should make it a pre-
text for organizing q new party and dis
ruptIng as far as in you lies, the party of
Jackson, who was engaged in a similar fight
against monopoly? What a mockery to have
| some of the nominees of 1892 offer to Join
| the creator Of the eliminating atrocity OF
class legislation, with offers to elect him SO
that the atrocity may be reinstated. What
| spectacle for men and angels to see every
monopoly of this republic arrayed on one
side, and so-called Democrats, even those
that have served sixty years, and honorably,
to leave the side Of the people, engaged In
death struggle with monopolists of every
kind and backed up with gold coin be-
| yond the seas.
I charge upon you ard the promoters of the
new party that the action is caused by re-
! sentiment because Of the improper treatment
| of Mr.. Clevelands administration at that con-
vention, and because the old leaders were
! then and there deposed, perhaps too rudey
| by q radical majority. But who can blame
that majority anxious to see carried out, what
was so clumsily promised in 1892 and never
carried out? l myself have no fear, but that
| the people will come out victorious and that
the government by the people will not perish
hut prevail over plutocracy eventually. BY
your actions you are aiders and abettors OF
monopolists; you have ceased to be Demo
Gratis and have Joined the aristocrats and as
such you will be looked upon in the future
and so treated by rejuvenated and trfum-
plant Democracy. Charles Cherbet.
Red Wing. Mimi, Aug. 81, 1896.