The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-04
His Sharp Wit and Sarcasm Used
with Telling Effect on the Chi
cago PopuIistic Propaganda.
For President,
JOHN NJ. PALMER, of Illinois.
Vice President,
SIMON b. BuCKNER, of Kentucky

The National Democratic convention is a
thing of the past but the movement OF
which it is the expression has evidently
only lust begun. When the Chicago con-
yention went wild over the nomination OF
BRYAN it was thought by many that there
was something in the free-silver craze cal
culated to inspire men with an enthusiasm
that had not been aroused for years by any
other issue The convention yesterday
demonstrated the fact that honesty among
men, honor among nations and patriotic
love of country can arouse degree of en-
thusiasm unequaled by any fanatic frenzy
ever worked up in behalf of a crazy notion.
The events of the day will go into history.
The convention was productive of more in
spring scenes, of more notable addresses
by famous men, of more expression of deep
thought, of more eloquent utterance of
lofty patriotism and noble sentiment than
any public gathering that has been held
this year. or, indeed, for many years past.
The outcome of the day is the adoption of
political platform that means every word
it says and is Democratic to the core, and
the nomination of a ticket that is generally
conceded to be the strongest that could
have been selected by the convention.
The first action of the day was the ex-
preston of a general demand to hear w. C.
2. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, a demand
intensified by the published reports of OPP
position to his participation in the public
meeting of the night before. When thus
called upon Colonel breckenridge delivered
an address full of deep and clear philosoph-
ical thought, richly adorned with poetic fig
ure. and delivered with a burning eloquence
that carried the vast audience with him at
his will from beginning to end. 1t was one
of he r1anS rly n Of
remarkable convention, where many of the
greatest orators of the country have been
heard at their best. While the convention
awaited the report of the resolutions
committee other addresses. some of them
scarcely less notable or inspiring than that
of Breckenridge, were made by j. Dewitt
Warner Of New York, Frederick Lehman
of MissourisW. d. Bynum of Indiana, Con-
troller James H. Eckels of Illinois and Mr.
II. A. Hammond of Georgia. The spirit of
these addresses was one of congra atul tion
of the country and the Democratic party
upon the size and character of this conven-
ton; of a determination to defend the coun-
try and its institutions against the Popu-
listic hordes that gathered at Chicago and
later at ST. Louis, and an anxiety to pre-
serve and purify the name of Democracy.
The platform, as prepared by the sab
read by that gentleman to the convention,
is the strongest document from a Demo-
cratic point of view that has been prornul-
gated for many years. Almost every line
of it was received by the convention with
enthusiastic applause, and the hearty ap-
proval of the delegates was so patent that
debate was regarded as unnecessary. and
it was adopted by a viva yoce vote, with
no response when the noes were called.
The platform begins with definition of
what Democracy is, and then proceeds to
condemn the Chicago platform attack
ing individual freedom right of private
contract the independence of the Judiciary,
the authority of the executive and the
monetary standard of the country. 1t con-
demns the Republican party as the creator
of conditions that have mace the rise of
this Populistic agitation possible. 1t de-
clares for a revenue tariff, fer a liberal pol
icy towards American shipping, for the
gold standard, for intelligent currency
reform that will separate the government
from the banking business and provide a
uniform safe and elastic bank currency
and devotes a couple of para agraphs to
praise of the Cleveland administration 1t
demands economy in appropriations, favors
arbitration in international disputes and a
liberal pension policy. The closing para
graph declares for the independence of the
Supreme Court and the supremacy of the
federal law.
In the nomination of a ticket the conven-
ton proceeded with caution and inteli-
gence. General Palmer. the nominee for
President has been looked upon from the
first as probably the best nomination tha L
could be made. all things considered. He
comes from illinois, the most powerful of
the debatable States in this campaign. and
is wonderfully popular among the Demo
Gratis of his own State He has the record
OF a brave general in war and a good, clean
citizen and public officer in peace. His
record upon the money question has never
been tainted with weakness of any kind.
and. while he is well along in years, he is
in vigorous health and in the prime of his
intellectual power.
His companion on the ticket. Gen. Simon