Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-19
WHAT is DEMOCRACYs


vember Sd the State newspaper, Of this
CITY, in view of the claims being made by
the PaImerites that they are the real
Democrats, addressed to Mr.. Bryan, MI
Bland and others a circular letter asking
each why he is Democrat and what
constitutes Democracy. Several of these
answers the state published yesterday al
ternoon All these are dated during 'he
last week In November, except that OF
George Fred. williams, which was written
some two weeks later:
In his answer, the Hon. ". j. Bryan
says:
I have not time TO answer your queS-
tons at length. In a broau sehso'
Democracy is a government In "hlch tnu
people rule and a Democrat is one wiz
believes i'm such n government. In party
sonsa Democracv IS defined by the chi
caeo platform. and the person who sup
norts the party and its platform can can
himself a Democrat The platform was
entirely satisfactory TO me. In my )uue-
ment il applied Democratic principles u
present conditions. ,,,-.,, ,r,,
IF A MINORITY HAS \ D. -
GIVE A PARTY DEFINITION cf
DEMOCRACY. THEN THERE MAJ
or Ac MANY DIFFERENT DEFlNl-
TIONS OF DEMOCRACY AS THEFT
ARE PERSONS WHO DESIRE IL
WEAR THE NAME
The Hon. r. p. Bland, OF missouri
writes as follows:
A Democrat is one who supports the
platform and votes for the nominees OF
The democratic party. l am Democrat
because that party in its platform VI
nrinciples as announced from tme 10
time. and especially at the last natiolli'
convention Mt Chicago, comes nearest my
,aao ~ a government "of the people, py
tbe neonle. and for the people than any
other political organization now eNlstins'
Governor Stone. of Missouri, replies as
follows:
regard all those as Democrats VINO
snbscribed TO the Chicago platform, ana
Who desired the election OF the cahdl-
dates nominated upon it. L do not re
card any others as being entitled 10 re-
cognition as Democrats.
Fx-Congressman George Fred VIII
Hams. of Massachusetts, says:
The policv laid down in the Chicago
,,to,fornn Of 1896 constitutes Democracy
md am a Democrat because l approve
everv article Of that platform. and am
firm in the faith that 1t contains the
seeds of the political contest OF the next
decade.
Senator Morgan. Of Alabama, replies
az great length. but avoids any endorse
ment of the Chicago platform. lie says
do not think that any mans right
10 be classed as a Democrat is TO be oe-
termined always by his acting with or
against the majority Of his party on
particular measure.
In Virginia. Bryan received nearly loo'-
900 votes, while Palmer received niue
more than 1900. The former fought the
Republcans from start to finish, while
Tho latter were on very intimate terms
With the enemy-in some instances hold
ing Joint meetings with them, and speak
| ing from the same platform with them.
There were other Democrats who left
us-left us for the time being, certainly
and voted for Mckinley. All THESE
wandering brethren ought now TO come
hack to the old party. 1t Is useless for
them to pretend that the Palmer party
is the Democratic party. How can ii
be? The Democratic party is that party
upon which the Republicans bestow theiT
blows. not their affections
Whenever one is in doubt as to which
If two. or more claimants is the Demo
cratic party, he has only to watch th'
| Republicans and accept their decision
| They hit Democrats; they hug the Other
| fellows.