Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-12
LET Us REASON ToGETHER.

We have no quarrel with fellow-D- mo-
Gratis who have waxed indignant over
the Chicago declaration. Some Of the
provisions of that declaration are open
20 criticism. from both political and n
business point OF view, and others are at
variance with time-honored Democratic
doctrines. The Dispatch has recognized
this fully in its previous comments on the
platform. But now that the smoke
Of the fight in the convention IS clear
ING away. let US reason together eoberly
upon the platform. as a whole. and con-
slider in its broader light what the con-
test between the two parties IN Novem-
Der involves.
AS we said the other day, in the OPEN
Ing deliverance OF the declaration and
underlying the obnoxious features. is the
oundation-stone Of the true Democratic
faith. Here in concrete form are the
cardinal principles % Democracy-the
irn.autable principles OF the party-as
against policies which are subject
10 mutation. through the influence OF en-
yironments and new con -itons. These
principles arc summarized In the incon-
trovertiblo assertion that the Democratic
party has resisted the tendency Of selfish
interests towards the Capitalization OF
governmental power, and solidly main
tanned the integrity of the dual rights of
government established by the founders
Of this republic Of republics; and that
under is guidance and teaching the
great principle of local self-government
has found its best expression In the
maintenance of the rights Of the States
ma in its assertion Of the necessity or
,onfnlng the General Government to the
exercise OF tho powers granted by the
Constitution Of the United States.
Under the policies enumerated In the
st. Louis platform lies the foundation
stone ~ the Republican party. That
stone was quarried IN iniquity. laid in
the miro 90 corruption, and consecrated
by the high priests OF Capitalization. and
tha legislative superstructure the party
has been building upon 1t from and in
Guiding the days OF reconstruction TO the
present time Is cementod with hatred
of one great division Of tao .epubAc--the
South
When. therefore. we come down 20 the
zeal. paramount issues OF the campaign
81 are The same they have always been
The parties are orrayed against each
other on the Same lines upon which they
have always stood, and 10 the South.
especially. the maintenance Of Demo-
cratic supremacy IS az vital as 1t ever
WIS. Tho southern Democrat who al
lows the currency. the tariff or any other
minor question. or the unwise policies OF
mis- party In one campaign to obscure the
fact that through Democratic ascend
ancy alone can he expect the continu-
ance OF local self-goyernment and white
supremacy III the South makes great
mistake. TIE southern Democrat who
expects that shouid the Republican party
again become entrenched IN power 1t woula
not be true 10 its record as the enemy Of
the South IA every particular, and who
Rs consequence, becomes iukewarm.
invites. however unwittingly. not only de-
noralization OF the national Democratic
party, but demoralization OF his State
Organization. negro supremacy, and the
teath of local self-government. We re-
peat. therefore, let us reason together,
feuow-D Democrats. and 10 tho end that
we may do our full duty to our party.
the republic. and our States. II this shall
be our course We will have nothing to
regret IN tho long run.