The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-07-16
NO POPIJLISM.

Inc llOI refuses TO recognize the
convention recently held at Chicago
as democratic convention for the
reason that its utterances and its acts
are violations of every democratic
principle. The democratic party was
called into being to declare, perpetu-
ate and put in practice certain princi-
pies of government upon which popu-
lar government is based, 1t was not
founded by any man or any class Of
men. Espousal of principle under
conditions favorable to organization.
led to unity of action, and the party
came into existence. These principles
are eternal until government ceases
to be. There may be differences of
opinion as to the best manner of adj
m:nistering public affairs on the line
of these accepted principles, and in
such cases the voice of the majority
should always govern. To this extent
fealty to party is devotion to princi-
pie.
Party is an instrument which truth
ard conviction use to effect their
purpose. Organization is the outcome
of discipline, and when it is used
against the cause it was designed to
serve, it ceases to be the instrument
of those who remain true to the cause.
He is but poor democrat who makes
the action Of a convention the basis
of his political faith. The principles
OF democracy should have deeper root
IN mans convictions, so that, come
what may, he will remain true to
them while he is true to his own
manhood
The democrats who refuse to recog-
nlze the Chicago platform as an ex-
ponent of their principles are the true
democrats Otherwise we have been
fighting the truth for years in oppos-
ing protection, and have long been in
error in closing our ears to the APP
peals of the populists. Is dishonesty
tenet of democratic faith? Is it not
dishonest to declare that debt of
one dollar should be discharged by
the payment of so cents? There can
be no counter argument that dis
honesty Is rampant now, because the
party is laying down a principle. 1t
is making declaration of faith. 1t
is laying down policy which it asks
people to accept, to follow and to aid
in establishing. 1t is declaring that
dishonesty is commendable, that
reputation be openly countenanced
by the party. A clergyman may not
pay his debts, but if he should preach
that dishonesty is moral he should be
hooted from the pulpit.
Nor Will 1t do to argue that this
dishonest step will not prove to be
dishonest because certain conditions
will arise which will save it from
being 50. A faint upon honesty in a
declaration Of principles is dishonesty.
Honesty is an absolute quality and
accepts no notifications nor will it
rest on emergency. Its essence is
fairness with regard to present con-
dltlons. To lie now, and to plead in
justification that a revolution will
make that lie a truth, is to juggle
with morality. The bald fact is that
the financial plank of the Chicago
platform declares that 90 cents worth
of silver shall have a debt paving
power of one dollar 1t is declaring
that the cashier who uses the banks
funds is not dishonest because his
Speculatlons may be lucky and he
can return the amount stolen. That
certainly is not democracy.
The democratic party has always
favored reduction of the tariff to
the needs of government This was
carrying out the principles of the
party that government should be for
the public good and not in the inter
ests of any class. The tariff question
is not of itself a principle. but a detail
OF administration upon which true
democracy can take but one position.
While the platform declares belief in
tariff Legislation which will deny the
right to tax the general public for the
benefit of few, it deprecates action
in harmony with its professed con
victions, and does violence to these
convictions, not only in refusing to
act in accordance with them on this
issue, but by favoring a system of