The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-03
A A CRISIS.
Revolutionary Tendencies of tn
Chicago Platform Alarming.

New York Letter in Philadelphia Press.
At one of the meetings. of which many
have been held this week by those who.
to furnish the federal treasury with gold.
ii was stated that IL was now beginning
to be understood how far from spon-
thoroughly subservicht to political ambi-
tons this newly revealed movement has
been.
AS a political force it was organized
some two gears ago in Washington. Its
first Indictment, SO far as the politicians
were concerned, came from resentment.
anger. and the desire for revenge which
a group Of Democratic senators and some
influential Democrats in the House enter
tanned because of the manner in which Mr..
Cleveland avoided, rebuked and despiSed
some of the leading influences in the DEM
ocratic party.
These men accepted his treatment with
counsel among themselves that they
might determine what would be best TO
do. They realized that If Cleveland had
his way. their influence would be impaired,
many of them would be compelled to re-
turn TO private life. They found the adj
ministration opposing them in their States
and districts. They discovered that q vast
number Of Democrats had come to look up
on Cleveland as a man who thought him,
self greater than his party and who had
contempt for partiSanShip.
The panic of 1893 and the business stag
nation which followed it had made the
people, especially in the agricultural dis
lTlclS. QlSCOnlcnteu. HI TIA CO1QlltOn d.
fered these plotters the opportunity. which
they sought. They began with all the arts
Of the demagogues 10 attempt to increase
this discomfort. to embitter those who
were in distress against those who had
possessions. and finding something of an
organization for free silver. used that doc
them with fine opportunity for just the
sort of oratory which De Quincy says laid
Athens in ruins. They found that their
appeals we're well received. and ut last had
infamed a vast number Of citizens, who,
when reason was with them, were as abid-
ing in their faith and loyalty to the gov
eminent az any other one.
They builded even better than they knew.
They fixed nearly n year ago upon Bryan,
who had the peculiar gifts necessary for
the conduct OF such a campaign as they
proposed. as their candidat tic for the presi-
dency. They knew that he would be as
putty in their hands.
Hill understood this only in part until
after he was present at the Chicago con-
vention. There the whole plot was re-
vealed TO him. partly by his intuitive judg-
ment, and partly by actual knowledge. He
learned that some of the leaders were
themselves in something of awe at the in
fluences which they had created and the
strength of them. feeling doubtful of their
ability 10 restrain them.
Some men who went from this city I'M
heralded to study the Chicago convention
brought back reports which indicated that
the first stage, which was that of pure
politics. and were evidently contemplating
tnat roNOiU1lOn OF sDOlldllOl WHICH Is only
family suggested by the Chicago platform.
They brought back here reports that the
intensity of the malice which is displayed
toward some sections of the country is
greater than that which is witnessed in
war times. These men contemplate
spoliation by legislation, and when such
course is begun no one can tell where it
will end.
So now. nearly three weeks after the
Chicago convention has made its record
there begins to be full understanding of
what il all involves. The inspirations here
are all toward common and united action.
II is not expected that there can be any
Roadway made against a majority of those
who were represented at Chicago and ST.
Louis.
The best tina can be done is to stay the
influence. keep it within its present lines.
reason with the heSitating and doubling
expose the naked truth, and show that in
evit&bly the adoption by legislation of the
principles named in the allied platforms
begins the overthrow Of the American Re-
public. which have been sufficient for more
than one hundred years.
Mr.. Whitney has already limited at this
I'm his letter. In private he SAYS: '.Repub-
lican democracy is itself at stake. and If II
now fails. civilization itself will be al
tered"