Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-14
SPIRIT OF STATE PRESS.
virginia Journals on the Work mt
Chicago.

Fredericksburg Star: Sink or swim, live
or die, the fortune Of the Star is cast
with the Democratic party in this fight.
For twenty-seven years this paper has ad-
vocated Democratic. principles because 1t
believed them right, and while the paper
is in no sense a party organ, and is con-
trolled by no machine. clique. or ring, II
stands for the Democracy simply because
IL believes that the great underlying prn-
ciples Of that party are for the good OF
the common people of common country.
ACT OF THE PEOPLE.
Danville Review: The selection OF a
great majority Of the delegates to the
Chicago convention was the act OF the
people taking into their own hands the
management Of the party affairs.
ACTED WISELY.
Portsmouth Times: The Democratic Ma
tional Convention acted wisely IN select
ing William J. Bryan. of Nebraska. as the
standard bearer of the party. Young. tai
ented, eloquent, and with firm BELIEF IL
the wisdom Of his party platform, ana
with no unfavorable past record to raise
up enemies against him, he will rally 10
his support the friends Of the money OF
the Constitution all over the country
OUGHT TO BE SATISFACTORY.
Roanoke Times: The platform adopted
by the National Democratic Convention,
and the nomination of Bryan. Of Nebras-
ka, for President, ought TO be satisfactory
to every friend of free silver, no matter
what his political predictions may have
been. and there is no reason TO doubt that
the ticket will poll the full strength Of
that element throughout the country.
In nominating William j. Bryan, OF Ne
braska, for President, the Democratic
National Convention. at Chicago, has de-
cided wisely and well. A better man for
the position could not have been selected.
NO STRADDLE.
Shenandoah Argus: The platform leaves
no room for a straddle on the money
question. but places the issue squarely be-
fore the people as 10 a gold standard. or
silver at l6 to l.
PLAINLY MEETS THE ISSUE.
Norfolk Virginlan: He Bryan) is stall
wart man of splendid presence and
possesses a magnetism that is remarkable
The platform is a radical one. yet IN
fuestionably represents the faith ana
views of the great mass of the Democracy.
Ii plainly meets the issue and there Is no
stfaddle about it. The voter Of the coun-
try cannot fail 10 take one side or the
other.
THE ABLEST MAN.
Norfolk Ledger: Mr.. Bryan is, in our
opinion, the ablest man that the conven-
ton could have nominated 20 defend the
platform that was adopted-a platform
which eliminates the States of New YORK
New Jersey and Connecticut, with their
fifty-two electoral votes. from all calcu-
lations that may be made OF probable
Democratic strength-and renders 1t very
probable that Delaware and Maryland
may elso be found in the Republican
column in November, with their eleven
electoral votes
THE QUESTION.
Danyille Register: In Mr. Bryan's
veins good old Virginia blood flows, and
no one questions his ability. He is man
around whom young America, which Is
Internationally in the saddle, can rally
with unbounded enthusiasm. The
question that goldite Democrats will have
to settle is: Shall they attach too much
Importance to one issue and allow what
they honestly believe to be mistake to
drive them from their old party under
whose banner they have so long fought?
When the smoke of battle shall be cleared
away. most Of them, we believe. will be
found under the old flag.
A STALWART DEMOCRAT.
Roanoke World: Mr.. Bryan is a BRILL
ant young man, and he has always been
a loyal Democrat. On the great issue OF
a tariff for revenue he is a worthy sue
cessor OF Mr.. Cleveland even. He has
been one of the ablest champions of the
Democratic policy. and he is thoroughly
grounded in the fundamental principles
of the party. Barring his financial views,
there Is no more stalwart Democrat,
and IL we are to have a silver candidate,
the World could not have been more
pleased than in the selection of Bryan.
A SURE WINNER.
Bristol Times: It Is the unexpected
that has happened again. At a time
when II seemed that everything was going
for Bland. Bryan's great speech set the
convention wild, and his nomination was
a foregone conclusion from that time.
II Is in all respects the best nomination
that could have been made. Young, bril-
liant. aggressive. Bryan will make a sue
cessful campaign. He is clean man,
above reproach In both public and private
character. He IL sure winner. for the
people are with him.