The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-18
ANDREW d. WHITES LETTER..
Says the Chicago Platform Is An
archistic.

ITHACA, N. Y, July 17.-An open
letter from Andrew Dixon White has
Just been made public. 1t is addressed
TO j. Sterling Morton, of Nebraska.
William L. Wilson, of West Virginia
Wayne MacVeagh, of Pennsylvania. St
Clair McKelway, of Brooklyn, Frederic
Coudert, of New York City, Charles S.
hairchild, of New York City, Roswell
p, Flower Of New York City, and
other prominent Democrats, and says
in part:
AS one who feels honored by a personal ac-
quaintance- with you, and who respects you
ior your character abilities and public sery-,
ice, permit me to address you regarding the
present political crisis. I believe that MANY
OF you know that l. though lifelong. Republi-.
can, nave always attempted to do Justice to
the motives, theories and acts of all honest
IN i,e no, ~ your party Sometimes even risking
What l shall now say will not be at all the
utterance OF Republican such to Demo-
Gratis, but as citizen to his fellow citizens
Wnom ne knows to be experienced thought
full and patriotic. l recognize the fact that
from the days of Jefferson and Hamilton two
parles, representing two great natural
classes, of political thought, have been ne
ceSslty; that they are a necessity now and
will long remain so, and that the restriction
debasement or perversion of either is an in
| jury TO the other and to the whole country
Inc majority, masquerading under the garb
| ST,
1t has made platform which is diametri-
| cally opposed to Democracy as developed by
Jefferson, Jackson, Benton, Seymour Tilden
and all the great leaders of the party On
the details of this platform | need hardly
dwell. You know well as l that it is the
negation of modern civilization to say moth
ing Of justice, honesty and honor. You all
know how contemptuously all efforts to miti-
gate the most deadly features were repealed
But, bad as this is, it is not the worst For
you must know, too. that it is but the first
installment of anarchist doctrine If not re-
sisted and overwhelmed now it is absolutely
certain to be followed by other parts of the
programme, especially the absorption of the
bonds and stocks of railroads, telegraphs and
various productive enterprises of the country
with payment for them, if at ALL in paper
currency of nominal value, and their manage
ment by the central government, under the
cry that all such things have been built up
for the people, belong to. the people, and
should be managed by the people.
Nor will confscation stop even here. Other
extreme measures are already vaguely fore
Swallowed and will be pushed, and some
which even the boldest have hardly dared
hint at will yet be put in platforms to attract
new votes of cranks and dupes, and in the
hope, perhaps some new folly may ebviate,
modify or obscure the consequences of the
old. You think this overdrawn. 1t is but the
logical outcome Of the present situation. Let
me ask you candfdly is this future platform
any more improbable to you than the present
Chicago platform and candidate would have
been to you four years ago?
For the first time in the history of the
| United States have an anarchist and So
cialist platform, and for the first time, ALSO
a candidate who has never given the slightest
| evidence of craftsmanship. can see but one
way eventually to preserve the Democratic
party, as well to prevent national catas-
trophe, and this 1 trust you will allow me to
suggest.
This one way is for you and the sound
Democracy frankly, boldly, unqualifedly, to
break loose from this wild mob masquerading
] ~, +I,o noYoO flo rh md tlro he
war Democrats during our civil struggle, to
cast in your lot fully, for the time at least,
with the party which you have heretofore OPP
posed. I fully believe that this is not only
the patriotic course as regards the country,
but the expedient course as regards your
party and yourselves.