The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-29

Mr.. Harrity. chairman of the National
Democratic Committee. has had interview
with a newspaper reporter iu which he
denies that he has ever said that the ma
tonal committee would interfere with
the Organization of the national conven-
tion SO as TO give the gold standard men
an advantage ia IL, and he said that no
never for one moment entertained any
such idea. This IS sensible In Mr.. Har-
rity. II the silver men have a majority
OF the national convention let them con-
troll it and work their will in IT, Mr..
Harity continued his interview thus.
"NNn the two-thirds rule for the nomi-
nation of a President. in your opinion, be
superseded al Chicagot
Il should say not IL is a time-honOrel
requirement Of the party and there exists
no solid reason for its abrogatOn now.
The adoption OF a platform. however.
comes FIRST and when that Is settled IL
will probably Doe work OF no great diff
Guilty 90 choose a candidate. inasmuch as
the nominee would in The eternal fitness
OF things. be selected TO match the plat
form. A free siivcrite wouldn't De chosen
II a gold standard platform is adopted,
and vice versa.
"Aud what kiad OF platform will it
be-"
Mr.. idrritv paused a mon ent before re-
plying. and then exclaimed with energy:
Il expect TO see a sound money policy
prevail. / DO not think that when the
delegates of the great Democratic party
gct together i'm national council that they
will think il q wise or eXpedient or safe
course 10 declare for the free and unlim-
tied coinage Of silver al l6 20 !. i have
too much confidence I'm their good judg
mcnt 10 believe that such a course
will be pursued. But under any and all
circumstances the party Will hold to-
eethcr. for the preservation of fits in
teerity is of moro consequence even than
the great financial issue now before the
country
Mr.. Harrity must be a sanguine man.
How he can figure sound money
platform ont Of the present state Of
things is more than we can understand. |
The most we can see any hope for is
another straddlo. and we do not hesitate |
TO say that we would greatly prefer |
straight out free silver platform TO |
any straddle or one meaning one. Such |
q platform would only keep the vicious
free silver agitators alive for another |
four years and we think that would be |
as harmful 10 the country as anything |
that could happen TO IT, The issue has
got 10 be fought ont, and now is as good
a time for it as any.
Mr.. Harrity is perfectly right in saying
that the preservation OF the integrity Of
the Democratic party is of more impor-
lance than any financial issue can be.
But the Democratic party cannot DE pre-
served except upon the true principles OF
Democracy. and there is not the slightest
danger of the Democratic party perish
ing. The only danger that can threaten
the Democratic party is that of COM
hitting il 10 schemes for debasing the
country's money and for rohbing men Of
what is their own by laws that bear
upon one man one way and upon another
man In another way. There are two
objects TO which the recent management
81 the Democratic party has warped It,
and this d0p,artre from the true aims
and purposes of the party is going 20
overthrow the present management of the
party and force a reorganization Of t.
The party is weighted down with dead
wood which IL is go.ng'to throw off in
November next and watch float away
upon the stream. Then the party is go
Ing 90 reorganizc itself upon the true
Democratic principles Of sound money.
Tree trade and. nearly as may be- honest
tlc' lions ana laws that bear IN the same
way upon all men. When il does this
' Will 30 before the country asking con-
troll Of H. because IT'S aims and objects
IRE for the good OF an. and when it
ioes tina; it will be- given that control OF
NE country TO which it is entitled