Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-09
DONELSON CAFFERY.
HIS REASON FOR OPPOSING CHI
CAGo TICKET AND PLATFORM
DEMAND FOR HIS RESIGNATION.
His senntorshIp and the Nature of
the Democratic Credentials He
UoIds-He Cannot Follow New
Hammer with Strange Devices.

NEW ORLEANS. LA, August s.
Senator Donelson Canory has recently
been the subject Of much adverse criti-
cism I'm certain newspapers on account OF
his opposition to the Chicago ticket and
platform. An effort has been made to
bring sufficient pressure 70 induce his
resignation as a United States senator.
The following interview with the sena-
tor appears in this evenings States, and
fully explains his position:
ITO the Daily States:
''You have asked what reply. IL any,
wish to make TO the criticisms Of GER
tain individuals and newspapers on my
attitude towards the so-called Democratic
ticket nominated at Chicago. and to
their suggestions that 1 surrender my
commission as q Democratic senator from
louisiana
THE invitation to resign my seat in
the United States Senate because OF my
abandonment o. the Democratic party in
wolves the question. What is Democra-
cy?
IF the late Chicago convention IN its
platform has abjured the principles OF
that party, the call Of these individuals
and newspapers has no significance.
whether the platform mas abandoned
Democracy or not is q matter of resson
and argument, not one to be settled by
the declaration OF a convention composed
OF men formerly belonging to the Demo-
cratic party. II a set OF men, temperate
ly representing political party. vio-
late In their platform the doctrines
tenets. and traditions of that party, there
is not only no obligation on the mem
bers OF that party to support either the
platform or its nominee, but II IS their
duty to oppose both.
when the Democratic party honored
me by electing me TO a scat in the United
States Congress It stood:
WHAT DEMOCRACY STANDS FOR.
Il. For sound money and the mainte-
nance of the public faith and credit.
"2 For the enforcement OF the law,
both State and Federal, under all cir
cumstances.
90. For the maintenance Of the three CO
ordinate branches OF the Federal Govern
ment as they are.
Il. For the freedom and inyiolability Of
all contracts. both public and private.
1.-THE Chicago platform assails sound
money and erects the standard Of infia-
llOls II threatens " uAaAOHJI the III
tional honor BY paying fits gold obligations
in deprecated silver. IL denounces gov
eminent by Injunction, and the interfer-
ence Of the Federal Government I'm State
affairs because President Cleveland pre-
vented the ChicaCo strikers from interior
ing with and destroying railroad property
I'm the custody Of receivers appointed by
United States courts and carrying United
States mails. Ii threatens the destruction
Of the Supreme Court of the United States
as presently organized, and II threatens 10
invade the liberty OF the citizen, hereto
fore unlimited. 10 contract for payment in
any commodity known to mankind, and
not OF a character TO injure morals or
threaten society. IL is a matter. there
fore, Of serious contention whether the
Chicago platform, as adopted. with such
utterances, Is deserving thc support and
allegiance OF Democrats. Every man must
judge this question for himself.
STRANGE DEVICES.
From my standpoint, with the exercise
Of my judgment and conscience. I cannot
follow the new banner with strange de-
vices The Old flag OF the Democracy Of
sound money, sound honesty rigid en-
forcement OF all law, maintenance Of our
admirable system OF Federal government
in its fun integrity. and the widest liberty
OF the citizen 10 contract for payment in
any legitimate commodity OF commerce,
IS good enough for me- / have followed
II for many years. in defeat and In vic
try. in storm and In sunshine. and I pro-
pose to follow it to the end OF my days
mo sudden ebullition OF popular delu-
sion can swerve me one iota from the con-
victions OF my whole life. ! have no am
bitiOn TO subserve, no purpose 10 accom-
plish, outside the plain duty that lies be-
fore me to keep unsullied and unimpaired
the Democratic credentials that / bear
when such a party as elected me de-
mands my resignation. II will be given.
Until such a party speaks. IL is useless,
though 1t may serve TO herald the exalted
patriotism OF certain persons who have
demanded my retirement, for any indi-
vidual TO ask me 10 resign.
(Signed) 'DONELSON CAFFERY."