New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-09
ALLIED TO ANARCHY.

The Democracy just now is afflicted with SO
many different kinds Of lunacy that it is hard
ly possible TO keep track Of them all. When
the financial question is brought so prominently
forward by the wild rush Of the free-slver
men, attention is likely to be fixed on that feat
ure of the Chicago performance, and some other
parts of the Democratic policy equally danger
Gus TO the country may be lost siA.it Of. The
platform perfected by the silver men on the
Committee of Resolutions is more than a Pop
ulist document. 1t is an Anarchist manifesto.
DemagOgues have come to the front before now
in American politics, treason and reputation
have been eulogized for political purposes. but
never before did one Of the great political par
ties of the country become the avowed cham
pion Of the right Of pillage riot and train-wreck
ing. Atged may not be so much the dictator
as was promised. but II is his spirit that has
animated the Convention.
I'VE denOunce the arbitrary interference by
Federal authorities in local affairs as a viola
'tion Of the Constitution of the United States
land crime against free institutions" That
Is unmistakabe in its meaning 1t is the echo
of Parsons. the bOmbthrower. and of Debs and
Altgcld. II is the call TO every criminal seeking
chance for outrage. and every envious person
vote the Democratic ticket. he may hope to
create disorder without fear Of the Federal Gov.
eminent, and will have to reckon only with
local officials, like Altgeld. who will do all they
can to make rioting easy. This declaration
may seem comparatively harmless bit of
demagogy, thrown In to catch the favor OF
In mIsnamng the labor vote forgetting that
the laws Of his country and wants nothing so
much as n chance TO earn his bread In peace
The declaration Is more than this. however,
and. though the question Of honest money is
one Of the greatest moment. it is not more i'm
pOrtant than the question thus brought to the
test. Everybody remembers what happened Mt
Chicago two years ago, and the tension Of feel
inc among all law-ablding citizens, when for
an instant there seemed to be doubt of the abil-
ity of the Nation to make its authority respect
ed by its own people, and the feeling Of relief
which swept over the land when the autbori-
ties showed not only that they could maintain
order and execute law, but would do 1t regard.
less OF the fumings Of lawbreakers and their
sympathizers
Now In two short years comes one Of the
great parties-the party. in fact, which was in
power when the authorities stood up man
fully against the mob-and 1t protests that the
Federal Government has no right to maintain
order, so long as weak or corrupt State Off
Gals are willing disorder should reign. The
Democratic party Is to be made the formal ally
Of Anarchy. 1t is TO make a campaign. saying
to the sympathizers with the IIaymarket bomb
throwers: Vote with us. Our Altgcld par
doned the Anarchists" TO the friends Of Debs:
Vote with us. We deny the right Of the Army
Ito suppress n rebellion undertaken In the name
'Of labor" To the men who wreck mail trains:
"Vote with us. We say the Government must
not protect life and property" And that is the