The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-10-20
ALETTER FROM DANIEL
The Senior Virginia Senator Writes Explain.
Ing His Absence from the Campaign.
DISCUSSES THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
The Letter shows How GroumdIess IL
the Criticism that Et Deprives the
Preaident OF the Power I Main.
tain Law and Order-It is JcHer.
Honinn An Its DenunciatiOn.

sohAhh All Ltb Deuun Citation.
The Lynchburg News Of Yesterday
published the following:
Lynchburg, Va, Oct. 1G, 1896.
carter Glass. Editor of the News:
You and 1 were members OF the Ma
tionai Democratic Convention which
nominated Bryan and SewaI, and YOU
are We'll aware of the great anxiety |
nave felt to participate actively and
continuously In the canvass. You are
also FAMILIAR with the circumstances of
professional obligation which called me
10 europe Tor some weeks after the con-
Vention. and OF the trial Of the case in
the United States Court, In this city,
Which began September ED and closed
lnconclusively at II o'clock last night.
IN the brief interim between my return
from Europe and the opening OF this
trlai L was earnestly engaged in the
campaign work, speaking in Bedford
DanVille, Richmond and Fredericks-
burg and otherwise aiding the cause to
the extent of my ability. You can,
therefore, appreciate how cruel and un-
Just are the criticisms which have been
made upon me in some newspapers
upon the alleged ground that have not
been duly active In this campaign. Per-
init me to say that there has never
been a campaign in which | have hon
opiS commanded my own time. my
physical ability would have been the
only limit to my eXertions in behalf of
our splendid ticket. and from now until
the campaign closes there Is nothing
mat i can co that will not be done to
| promote it's success.
GROUNDLESS CRITICISM.
The suggestion which has been made
that i am sensitive about the Demo-
cratic platform, and that I regret II rs
| M 4, tnb 7 Of
Tered In the Senate supporting the Pres
ident in sending troops TO defend our
postal and Interstate commerce rights
| at Chicago. is criticism which Is utter
~ groundless. The Democratic plat
form has been grossly misrepresented
| 1t does not in the least encroach upon
the principles Of that resolution. The
establishment of postoffices and post
| roads and the regulation OF Interstate
commerce are matters placed by the
federal Constitution under Federal jur-
lsd.ction. and the same Constitution
makes 1t the duty of the President to
see that the laws respecting them are
faithfully executed. When the Presi-
dent sent troops to repel violence direct
ed against the Federal postal establish
| ment and against the vehicles of inter
State commerce., l thought he did right,
| and still think SO, and IL the Chicago
| platform should be fairly construed to
mean differently would to that extent
dissent from 1t. But In my opinion 1t
does not.
WHAT THE PLATFORM DE-
NOUNCES.
| 1t denounceS the arbitrary interfer-
ence by Federal authorities in local af-
| ralrs. and especially objects to govern
ment by injunction as n new and highly
| dangerous form Of oppression by which
| Federal judges in contempt OF the laws
OF the States ard rights of citizens be-
| fol
cutioners. In naming these ~ the spa
| cial subject of its criticism is clearly
discloscs the kind of arbitrary interfer-
| ence by Federal authorities in loca! ar
fairs. which 1t condemns. 1t il only II,
| the imagination of those who seek pre-
text to stigmatize Democrats as anar-
| christs that there exists any repugnance
| between the Democratic platform and
| the resolution of the Senate of which
was the author. The platform approves
| the bill passed by the Senate. and of
which Hon. David B. Hill, of New York
was the author, which provides for trial
| by jury In certain cases of contempt Of
| court. and which would I'm large degree
remove the abuse OF the power of in
junction by Federal judges. The APP
proval given that bill in the Senate by
the members of al partiea is proof that
| the supporters OF Bryan are not moving
| on any eccentric line in their devotion
| to popular rlsht and to trial by jury
A GREAT BULWARK OF LIBERTY.
I believe the trial by jury to be the
| greatest of all the constitutional bull
| warks of popular liberty. l believe also
as did Thomas Jefferson, that the en-
CINE OF consolidation to be feared is the
Federal judiciary" Such powers Of in
junction were never before exercised by
the judiciary of any State of the Fedora
| Union. or by the judiciary of the United
states. and are unknown in the jud.cia!
history of Great Britain. from which w.
have copied for the mos, part our judi
| cial system. supported the President
| In sending troops TO defend the d.stnc-
tive Federal rights which were assault
ed at Chicago. l supported also. and
was one OF the committee which favor
ably reported. the bill of Hon. David Il
I'M. providing for the extension of trial
| by jury. and no repugnance between III
TWO positions was ever discovered until
hypercritical opponents of the Chicago
platform sought a preteXt for the use of
hard names in stigmatizing Democrats
There are some phases OF the Demo
cratic platform in which do not concur.
but they contain no assault upon the
liberties of the people and convey no
menace to their interest. I have never
seen any platform dealing generally
with a multitude of subjects in which
did not discover something not entirely
| in accord with nv own views and In