The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-27

much was left. The principles Of that
party yet remained in its keeping. a rally
ing point around which even when de-
| feated as it was fated in any event to be.
the members of that party might gather
and through which they might hope to
again secure the cooperation of their fell
| low-citizegs, and at some more fortunate
and it may well be believed, early time to
| win a victory and again attempt to put
| into operation throughout the land the
beneficial effect Of it's policy.
A CHARITABLE VIEW.
But the degradation and humility of
the party yet to occur. 1t came and
| has increased with appalling swiftness I'M
til to-day those who best loved and most
| earnestly strove for the success of that or
ganization are appalled, to see into what
unworthy hands the organization has
passed. and to what ignoble and treasona-
| bic purposes its forces are being applied
firmly believe that this feeling of aston
| ishment is even shared by those who most
| loudly support this degradation of the par
| ty machinery and it's voting strength.
have never for an instant believed that the
men who have dragged the proud Demo-
cratic party in the mire deliberately con-
templated such a result at the beginning,
| They seem rather, out of the despair into
which the party was plunged before the
campaign. to have evolved a condition of
things which, eliminating in the delirium
of the Chicago convention, swept these
venturesome marplots Tar beyond the point
they had ever expected to go, ana left
them high and dry in the hot-bed of Pop
ulism and communism, where they now lie
without the courage to withdraw. and I'M
der the pretense that they are comfortable.
am not willing to believe, much less to
charge, that the great body of those who
participated in the Chicago performance,
or who now approve its work, are inten-
tionally wrong or knowingly unpatriotc.
The truth is, that under frenzy arising
out OF conditions then and now prevailing
they have fallen under the control and di-
rectlon of few political deSperadoeS, most
of whom were not Democrats or We're
driven into a false position, the enormity
of which they did not for moment COM
prehend; Be that as it may, it IS not
profitable TO spend time in seeking after or
classifying classes. We are to-day face to
face with the fact that the great Democratic
party which we so loved and served, the
party OF Jefferson. Jackson. Tilden, Hen
bricks and Cleveland the national party
which knew neither section nor distinction
among the people, the conservative party,
carries in government and stood jealousy
and earnestly for the Constitution; the
party of law, and which always taught
ership and is to-day dominated by the
Ohio. an Anarchist from Illinois. and a
belated secessionist from South Carolina.
Il know that much is said about the
claim of regularity and the duty OF mem
bers of the party to support its nominees.
If [ may be permitted to again make
personal reference, no man has ever more
strongly asserted this duty than myself.
Throughout the State of Indiana there has
passed current in the press my own asser-
lions to the effect that the only man who
is a Democrat is the man who votes the
Democratic ticket, and that no profession
of faith could determine mans PARTISAN
ship. but the sole and only test is how
he votes at the election. l believed that
and. you shall presently see. am quite
willing to be judged by the test | put to
others, and be classified according to my
own rule.
AS TO BOLTING.
But the sufficiency of the objections
raised against the Chicago platform are not
to be determined by this consideration of
party regularity at all. We hear much of
boilers nowadays, but the term cannot
properly be applied to any who dis
sents from the action of the Chicago con-
vention. For the second time in the his
tory of the country the refusal of enor-
nous number to support the ticket arises,
not from objections to the men nominated,
but to the platform. Heretofore betting,
called, has arisen out of refusal to support
particular candidates because of personal
objections to them Now the objection is
deeper and more vital, because, while
body in particular objects to the personal
ity of the candidates named in Chicago, al
most every Democrat dissents from the
platform except those who fail to give the
matter thoughtful and impartial considera-
ton, or those who are hidebound by party
prejudice. hooded by party name, or in
fected by the prevailing cowardice as to
party deSertiOn And indeed, this platform
is most astounding screed so different
from anything heretofore delivered by the
Democratic party, that it would not be rec
ognized as q Democratic platform except
that its authenticity is otherwise fully es-
tahiished Read in the light of the circum-
stances under which it was adopted and
considering the influences by which it was
created, 1t is seen to be a tumble of Popu-
lism. notification, laWlessness and dishon-
esty, abhorrent from any point of view. /
am aware that it will not do to merely in
dulge in general denunciation of this
platform without pointing out at least some
of the parts which are Objectionable Those
VINO support it do much tbat
while it is much denounced. there is an alb
sence of specification. This is a just com
plant. and | do not propose to submit my
self to it, though to be sure the limits of
this modest effort viii not permit a discus
sion of all the objectionable features.
Il propose to consider some of the mat
ters in question, and in that connection it
inclined to discuss the money plank at ali
The land is covered with orators going
ABOUT discussing the money question. In my
Judgment the only criticism to be made
upon the campaign now being waged
against the .abominable doctrines pro-
ton is being given too much prominence
and the result is that a vast majority of
our people think that the only question Of
vital Importance between the parties is a
currency proposition. And the manner in
which the discussion is CARRIED on makes
the same low plane that the tariff discus
sion was placed during recent campaigns |
listen. The discussion should rise higher
and stop far short of where it now goes / |
make II u question or patriotism, not of
pocket. and declare to you that inasmuch |
as the free-silver proposition at the thresh- |
old involves partial repudia ton of the pub
lie debt. to the pyment of which the ma
tional honor is pledged, and partial repu-
diation of private debts to the pavment of |
which the individual faith of millions of orr
citizens has been pledged then I saw 7 will |
not stop to discuss the pros and cons the |
advantages and disadvantages of a system |
which cannot be given even trial exceut |
at the awful expense of national disbonor |
and wholesale private dishonesty
POPULISM, NOT DEMOCRACY
Nevertheless there are things in the Chi |
cago platform, stated either directly or nv |
beside which the enormitv of all |
this sinks into insignifcance. These things |
can only be properly understood when con-
sidered in the light of circumstances which |
and the forces which dominated |
the convention that adopted them Let us |
see The very atmosphere in which the |
Chicago convention assembled was charged |
with the spirit of characterization. treacherv |
and departure from the time honored |
OF the party Observant men
saw the beginning of the end when our own |
lis. AT the capital of the great Democratic |
State a party assembled which in the past +
so far as the memory of man extends had |
been distinguished for its fairness. toler- |
ance, conservatism, obedience to marry /
usages and adherence to party principles
But in June all was changed. Though thou
sands to COMPRISE the eOpx-aptio,,