Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-04

to the fraternal fold and MS Welcoihe'
and regalement with pure, unmixed Bour-
bon Democracy. loud and long-continued
cheers)
SORROW FOR RUSSELL.
After Mr. Breckenridge had left the
platform and taken his seat. Mr.. Sparks,
of Tennessee. offered a resolution, de-
claring the sense of the convention at the
great loss sustained by the Democratic
party and the nation in the death OF the
Hon. William T. Russell. OF Massachu-
setts, and expressing "the profound sor:-
row OF the convention at Mr.. RUSSELL s
untimely taking Off"
The vote on the resolution was taken by
a rising vote, and 1t was carried unani-
mously. every delegate standing.
DR.. William Everett, of Massachusetts,,
was called upon TO speak in acceptance
of the resolution, which he did speaking
with intense feeling and earnestness.
Mr.. Savage, Of Kentucky. read to the
convention telegram from Senator Lind
say, OF Kentucky, in these words;
Give us an unequivocal Democratic
platform and an old-time Democratic
ticket. and all will be we'll" (Cheers)
Mr.. Savage said. In connection with the
telegram, that there was mo more show
for Bryan's carrying Kentucky than there
cago." Cheers and laughter)
Brief speeches We're made by John De-
Witt Warner, of New York; Frederick
Lehman, OF Missouri; Bynum, OF Indiana;
Comptroller-of-the-Cu Eckels, and
Mr.. Hammond, Of Georgia.
At the close of these. speeches the
band struck up the "Star-Spangled Ban
ner," and all the delegates and those I'm
the audience rose and joined in singing
the national anthem with great fervor
and enthusiasm.
In the interval Of waiting there were
numerous cries for Belmont" but Mr..
Belmont did not respond.
THE PLATFORM.
At 1:J0 p. NJ. the announcement was
made that the Committee on Resolutions
was ready to report. and Senator Villas,
chairman Of the committee. took the
stand, and read the platform in his clear,
resonant voice. with much emphasis. be-
ing accompanied by applause. at every
telling point.
At the close of the reading the whole
convention stood up and waved flags.
hats, and handkerchiefs while the band
played America" TO the usual tune Of
"God, Save the Queen"
when order was restored Mr.. Villas
Edlls MI lfTlItiAs DfAOlt SUN ~ bohy
as this no argument can be deemed ne
cessary to a full understanding OF the
principles set forth i'm the platform
which is proposed for your consideration.
Therefore, with true recognition of all
the circumstances of the hour, l shall
make no argument. but will proceed di-
rectly TO the discharge of the office which
the committee has imposed upon me,
and move the adoption of the resolu-
tions."
The platform was unanimously adopted.
TEXT OF PLATFORM.
1t reads as follows
This convention has assembled to up
hold principles on which depend the honor
and welfare Of the American people. and,
in order that the Democrats throughout
the Union may unite their patriotic efforts
TO avert disaster from their country and
ruin from their party.
THE Democratic party is pledged TO
equal and exact justice to all men OF
every creed and condition; to the largest
freedom OF the individual consistent with
good government: to the preservation OF
the Federal Government in its consttu-
tional vigor, and TO the support Of the
States in all their Just rights; 10 economy
I'm the public expenditures. and TO the
maintenance OF the public faith and sound
money, and IT is opposed to paternalism
and all class legislation.
THE declarations OF the Chicago con-
ventiOn attack individual freedom, the
right OF private contract. the independ-
ence Of the judiciary, and the authority
OF the President 10 enforce the Federal
laws. They advocate a reckless attempt 20
increase the price OF silver by legislation,
70 TIE debasement Of our monetary stand
ard, and threaten unlimited issues or
paper money by the government. They
abandon for Republican allies the Demo-
cratic cause OF tariff reform, TO court
the favor of protectionists 10 their fiscal
heresy.
'In view of these and other grave de-
partures from Democratic principles, we
cannot support the candidates or that
convention. nor be bound by its acts.
The DemOcra tic party has survived many
defeats. but could not survive a victory
won in behalf of the doctrine ana pollcy
proclaimed in its name at Chicago.
THE conditions, however which make
possible such utterances from a national
convention are the direct result OF class
legislation by the Republican party. II
still procaims. as IL has for years, the
power and duty of the government 10
raise and maintain prices by law, and IL
proposes no remedy for existing evils,
except oppressive and unjust taxation.
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES 60.
1.-THE national Democracy, here recon-
vened therefore renews its declaration
of faith in Democratic principles, espe-
cialiy as applicable to the conditions or
direct, is rightfully imposed only for pub
lie purposes. and not for private gain.
It's amount is justly measured by pubic
expenditures. which should be limited by
scrupulous economy. The sum derived
by the Treasury from tariff and excise
levies is affected by the state of trade
a"d volume OF consumption. The amount
/ ~ Tired by the Treasury is determined ny
the appropriations made by Congress.
The demand of the Republican party for
an increase in tariff taxation has its pre-
text in the deficiency Of revenue, which
has its causes in the stagnation OF trade
and reduced consumption, due entirely 10
the loss of confidence that has followed
the Populist threat of free coinage ana
depreciation of our money, and the Re-
publican practice Of extravagant aDDro-
priations beyond the needs of good gov
ernment. We arraign and condemn the
POpulistic conventions OF Chicago and
st. Louis for their cooperation with the
Republican party in creating these condi-
tiOns which are pleaded In Justification
OF heavy increase OF the burdens of the
people by a further resort 10 protection
We, therefore, denounce protection and
it's ally. the free coinage Of silver, as
schemes for the personal profit OF a few
at the expense of the masses, and oppose
the two parties which stand for these
schemes as hostile TO the people OF the
republic, whose food and shelter. COM
fort, and prosperity are attacked by high
er taxes and deprecated money. In iine,
we reafiirm the historic, Democratic doc
trine OF tariff for revenue only.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
1--WE demand that henceforth modern
and liberal policies towards American
shipping shall take the place of our imi-
tation OF the restricted statutes OF the
eighteenth century which have been
abandoned by every maritime power but
the United States, and which. TO the
nations humiliation. have driven Ameri-
can capital and enterprise to the use OF
alien flags and alien crews: have made
the stars and Stripes an almost unknown
emblem i'm foreign ports, and have yir-
tualiy extinguished the race OF American
seamen. We oppose the pretence that