Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-07-23
Democratic Bolters.

IN spite OF great snow OF enthu-
siasm i'm the Chicago convention there
was plenty of sulking there, and the
result is meeting with prompt repudia-
ton outside. The Detroit Free Press.
which has for 80 years been
the leading Democratic paper in the
state, only waited until the morning
after the convention adjourned to bolt
both platform and candidates. Speak
ing of the decision upon the money
question it says that, aside from ques-
tions of mere party policy, lit is felt
that not only national honor and repu-
tation are at stake, but the foundations
Of industrial prosperity. 1t is incum-
bent, therefore, upon Democrats to
choose between adherence to the party
and standing by their convictions.
The Free Press will stand by its con
victionS. and not indorSe the Chicago
platform nor candidates. Waving any
discussion as to the methods used in
securing the adoption of that platform,
we denounce the monetary utterance
as Democratic, and fraught with
serious menace TO the country and its
prosperity. Believing this, there is no
alternative course possible for the
Free Press but the sacrifice of honest
conviction: and that sacrifice we can
not make"
The Chicago Chronicle, which was
the only Democratic daily left in that
city, said: The declaration in favor
of Reputation and financial chaos is
just what everybody expected from the
Chicago mob of homogeneous elements
Of destruction, fraternizing in incen-
diarism and the hope of a general con-
fiagration. The Chronicle follows
this up with this prophecy: There is
no possibility of free silver victory in
Chicago, in Cook county nor in Illinois.
The nominee of the Chicago conven.
ton is beaten as surely as if the re-
turns were already in. He will lose
the state by 100000 votes. Let the
fanatics who believe otherwise mark
the prediction. The men who cheered
Hill in the galleries will be at the polls
i'm November.
The Chattanooga, Tenn, Daily Times
says: I'VE will not stultify our record
by advocating the election of the nomi-
nees. We are Democratic; this plat
form and ticket are anarchistic, social
istic. We cannot join a movement
in which Altgeld and Tillman and their
sort are set up a. apostles"
In all parts of this state there are
mutterings of discomfort amounting
eases in Detroit and Grand Rapids,
these have found explicit ex-
preston. I'm the former city Rufus
w. Gillett. a lifelong Democrat,
says that the enactment into law of the
Democratic platform would result in
disaster to the entire country and he
cannot support the ticket or platform.
John ID. Conely. of Detroit, says the
platform is impossible for him and
neither he nor his brother, Edwin f.,
can support it.
James Phelan. another prominent
Detroit Democrat says the silver men
have wrecked the party and defeat is
certain
University Regent Levi l.. Barbour
says he wouldn't vote the Chicago plat
form even If the APOSTLE Paul had been
at the head.
Cornelius Sheehy declares that if he
votes at all il will be with the Repub-
Leans. VIM V. Moore. delegate
from the First district to the Chicago
convention says that in no ease will he
vote the ticket aud Samuel Il. Douglas
has announced that he will resign from
the state central committee.
In Grand Rapids DR. q. X. johnson,
a lifelong Democrat, is the most out
spoken. with the expression, III regard
the platform as un-Democratic, un-
sound and dangerous, and scorn it."
Thomas IIcfrron. another Grand Rapids
Democrat who attended the conven-
ton. said he was thoroughly dissatis-
fled with the convention, did not regard
the action n Democratic and did not
,arc to stay through.
And the dissatisfaction does not di-
minish A. people have time To think it
Jser.