The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-07-16


in fact is spollation, coming 50 cent
dollar and compelling people to &C
cept it at the stamped value. Let
any democrat study the principles of
democracy. the cardinal one of which
is the least Interference with individual
rights consistent with the public good,
and then answer whether the platform
thus far is democratic
The excuse that more important
matters make action on the tariff in
advisable in himsy Postponement of
duty is neglect of duty. Ii the pro
fessed belief of the platform on the
tariff question is in harmony with its
emphatic declaration on the money
question, then action on the one
would be helpful with the other. If
both are the issue of democratic
principles, then working hand-in-hand
they would be complementary forces.
An honest attitude on one question
cannot weaken action on a related
issue Why hold the free trade forces
in idleness if the 16 to l battling is
twin born with tariff revision? Have
they a common parentage? Is each
the child of democratic principle
Why cast discredit upon that whose
paternity is undoubted and take up
the bastard child of populism?
Tie foolish excuse of mo time" is
the puniest that ever walled a feeble
plea for recognition. No time tc
champion an issue which has almost
attained the dignity of a principle
No time for more than a distant nod
of recognition to that cause which
has been so dear to us for years, Yes
no time, because the issue is wholly
at variance with the new darling
which has drawn sustenance from {
populistic breast and was sired by the
heresy of protection. No time! anC
yet the platform bristles with new
issues. Listen. No third term. Revo
lutionlzlng the supreme court Oh
stuffing it as did a former president
to secure a reversal Of a decision
rendered. Federal interference il
local affairs Abolition of life tenure
of office No issuance of bonds. In
come tax. Trial by jury in cases o
contempt.
Many of these are commendable
but they are Target Y matters of mino1
Importance, and on most of them there
is no contest or party division. De
tails Of government naturally cluste,
about the larger issues, and platform
expressions upon them are more per
functory than indicative of party
purpose.
The convention voted down reso
lutions commenting the presen
democratic administration. Tha
would be a proper proceeding for {
republican convention, but cannot b,
deemed democratic act. Every on,
knows how Cleveland electrified tn,
country by his tariff message, ant
| honor is due him for maintaining tn,
credit Of the country under difficulties
from which most people would shrink
In what way has his administration
| been undemocratic? Is it not bette
Judgment to regard the convention
which sought to cast discredit upon
democratic administration as an anti
| ueLnOcrdulc convention!
There is but one avenue open t.
| democrats. That is to nominate
ticket on a platform which is demo
cratic in spirit and in name. 1t is es
| sential that we have higher ideals O
what constitutes democracy than &C
ceptance of the Chicago platform
would indicate. A democrat must 3,
| such because he understands, ant
believes in, the principles upon which
the party is built. The policy which
the party advocates must be referred
to these principles to test its genu
lneness. The party platform is al
enunclatlon of the policy recommend
ed and determines whether the con
vention acting for the party is tru,
to its trust If its action, though
unworthy, is binding, than the con
ventlon is greater than the party anC
the party must be placed above thu
principles which it is organized t.
carry out. Is this democracy? Their
many of us who have been toilers il
the ranks for the love of principle are
not democrats, while the shifty person
to whom principle is a burden anC
obstruction may well lay claim to the
name.
What will this lead us to? Tn,
creation of new party whenever {
convention is held. The person whose
allegiance is given to the convention
and not to party principles, has the
roots of his convictions SO close to the
surface that they are liable to be up
rooted by zephyr. If we build fol
permanence, we must lay the foun
dalton deep and on the rock of con
vlction, so that the gates of hell shall
not prevail against us. The fiimsy
structure bnilt upon the sand of con
yention utterance deserves not the
name of party and is as unsubstantial
as the Fantastic visions of the morn
ing"
Democrats, Will you surrender the
faith because a convention which has
stolen Your livery tells you that what
you have fought so long for is a de
fusion and a snare? Are you willing
to become the puppets of a conven-
ton, or will you hold fast to your
integrity and demand that a conven-
ton be held which will be true to that
old party whose banner you have fol
lowed SO long and which is now beng
spat upon as rag? There is no dis
honor ii defeat, but there is in Dur
chasing victory by the sale of princi-
pie. The democratic party should be
the teacher of the people, and curses
should be his due who would counsel
that it teach them error. There is no
such thing as compromising principle
or dlluting truth by the infusion Of a
lie. Ii the Chicago platform on the
vital issues fairly represents demo
cratic doctrine, then have we ever
since the creation of the party been
pursuing the wrong path? Which shall
govern, the party history or the out
burst of feeting craze?