Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-16
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
Some Objections 90 the Democratic
Platform Answered.

40 lle L4ltQI OF inc DlSlAkCn.
BY this time the Republicans doubtless
realize the mistake they made in nomi-
mating Mckinley. By go doing they
placed emphasis on the question Of pro
tcction-a question that is now exciting
little attention. The majority OF the
people see that IN every respect the pre-
sent tariff Is working satisfactorily. ii
IS producing more revenue than was eX-
pected IL is having a stimulating effect
on industries. IL is giving TO the work
ingmen moro stability OF employment
and TO his employer greater stability Of
prices while 10 furnishes the consumer
with cheaper goods. There is a general
disposition TO give the present tariff
more complete trial, and in making its
change towards higher duties the prime
object Of the campaign the Republicans
have side-tracked their party.
AT the same time the Republicans have
made IL impossible for the boiling Demo
Gratis. who take the ground Of extreme
opposition 10 the free coinage OF silver
TO sever their Old party ties and form
new ones with the Republican party.
These men, I presume, are as bitterly
opposed 20 protection as 10 free silver,
and so long as protection IS made an
issue. even those who would otherwise
Ike 10 go TO the Republican party can
not do so.
The Democrats who were opposed %
Bryan's nomination had right 10. oppose
him before the final vote was taken and
Us result declared. What can they make
10y opposing him nOw2 They would Ger
7inly not consider II again 10 once more
faston on the country tho ouuages of
McKinleyism. Whitney. Flower, BVnum,
et Id omne genus can never again be
leaders Of the party nor wear any OF its
h0nOrs. And II they put up a ticket
(Which ] think is doubtful. because. those
fellows have lost their prestige and
know not what they do), il IS very certain
they would not hurt Bryan. They would
divide the anti-siiyer vote. The silver
vote is united. The vote for Bryan in
States west Of Missouri and Iowa VIII
Doe unanimous beyond the shadow OF
doubt These States Will give the Demo
cratic candidate siXty-one votes. The
South, leaving out II you choose. Della
ware. Maryland. and West Virginia. will
give him AZ. This will leave only twenty
one more votes 10 be gained. Indiana
Illinois, Michigan. and Iowa. with sixty
six; Delaware. Maryland. ana West Viz
giuia, with seVen-een. New YORK. New
Jersey, Connecticut Massachusetts
Maine. Vermont. and New Hampshire,
with eighty-one, are very close, with
chances greatly I'm favor Of Bryan, and
viii easily, at any rate, supply the
twenty-One votes necessary.
CONCENTRATION OF WEALTH.
Now. Mr. Editor. the great majority Of
tho common people are fair and reason
able in sentiment and judgment There
is no opposition 20 wealth. Wealth g.
desirable; there are few would not De
wealthy II they could. Wealth, 10 b
individual as 10 the community, ought 10
be a blessing. The man who dcnounces
the wealthy simply because thev are
wealthy is not a good citizen. he is the
friend Of no man, not even Of himself, he
is either Ounce or a dcmag0gue. There
Is no protest again wealth per Sc. But
against the unjust domination Of wealth,
against IT'S albtion and effort 20 domi
nate and control the country, It's courts
and legislative bodies. and 10 dictate It's
laws, there is protest that Is daily
growing more emphatic, profound and
ominous. II comes from the great masses
OF the pcople-the laboring classes, the
middle classes-frOm those engaged in
legitimate business enterprises and indus
tries, the merchant, the miner
the manufacturer. and people In tho
various walks and vocations Of life
Denunciatl0n o. those who protest car
have only the effect Of making ii all the
stronger and more determined il can
neither decay nor silence It. because it
y
been awed 20 silence either by threats
or denunciations. Daniel Webste~ said
years ago: "No nation can long remain
free when the tendency Of the laws Is TO
wealth into the hands Of the
few" IT can hardly be denied that this
has been the tendency of the laws 10 this
for the last thirty years. Thomas
Jefferson, one Of the greatest statesmen
this country has produced, and the father
and founder Of the Democratic party, de
carCd Bank paper must be suppressed
and the issue Of circulating medium re-
stored 10 the nation 20 which II belongs. /
Banking institutions are more dangerous |
than standing armies" Andrew Jack |
son said, ia vetoing the United States |
bank bill: most Of the difficulty our |
government encounters. and most Of the |
hangers impending over our Union have |
sprung from an abontenment OF the |
legitimate object Of government by our |
National Legislature. Many Of our rich |
men have not been content with equal /
protection and equal benefits, but have /
)esOught us 10 make them richer DIV act /
# Congress" These are the utterances |
II men who were great leaders thinkers /
md political students, "a o spoke nor as
political partisans, but as men having % |
ieart the welfare of the whole people
md who saw the tendency Of legislation |
through the influence Of and in favor OF
he growing money power, and who pre-
lictcd the results Of such Legislation.
We're the men Anarchists? Was Thomas
jefferson an enemy 10 his coun-
ry? Was Daniel Webster foe
O freedom? was Andrew Jack
on for or against the masses?
GOVERNMENT BY INJUNCTION.
II the men that I have refer
ed 10 were living to-day would they
10 deserters, and champions Of the money
,0wer OF OF the plain people, the COM
non masses who are its victims? Men
Who formulated the Chicago platform and
o-day hold tho views these men held are
denounced as Anarchists, Socialists, enc
MES OF the best interests Of the coun-
~ and of public credit and fomenters
4 strife and population. Have our peo-
10 forgotten that Grant reconstructed
he Supreme Court TO get q decision
hanged? Have they forgotten that LIN
on was elected upon a platform de-
.Ounclng the Supreme Court2 Have they
orgOtten that Tildcn was cheated out or
rs election by the Supreme Court? Have
hey forgotten that this proud old COM
nOnwcalth OF ours was degraded ana /
oundcd by government injunction for
even long years? Have they forgotten
hat our Acknowledgement was put In the
an OF this city by the very men VINO
aid their debts 70 the Commonwealth IN
0 cent dollars, and who are now
Merlng US lessons I'm patriotism and mo-
ality7 Have they forgotten how some OF
hese purists, with British bondholders
nd Judge Bond at their backs, thun-
cred at the gates OF poor. proud, old
'irgnia7 Let me tell them 10 lay not
Ich unctlon 10 their souls The peop-e
now them, and when they get done