The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-04

1
form cmbodying certain principles. which
| were promulgated 20 control Democratic
| conduct. and nominating candidates pledg-
cd 20 carry out the principles so adopted.
As soon as The Times saw the declara-
| ton OF principles set forth in the Chicago
| platform, as binding on Democrats. 1t in
| stantly protested that no such doctrines
were or could be considered Democratic.
| and declared that they were obligatory on
| no Democrat. and ought TO be rejected.
| and denounced by all who held the politi-
| cal faith Of our Democratic fathers.
For this position this paper has been
openly criticised as inconsistent and insin-
| ccrc. and anonymous letters have been
sent TO its editor taxing him with discredi-
table conduct In taking part In the
| county election Of delegates and
then refusing to support the Chicago plat
| form or the nominees upon II.
The answer to all this is simple enough
10 us. but must be settled in the con-
| science Of every man who, having taken
| part in the primary. now rejects the Chi
| caeo platform and nominees
IF the Chicago platform is Of such
character that. under no circumstances
would the voter have accepted II, and had
any such declaration Of principles and pur-
poses. as binding on him been considered
n possibility. he would not have particle
mated in the primary. then no Democrat
Is bound by the Chicago platform any
4 ~ the
decision Of arbitrators upon question
which had not been and would not have
been submitted TO them.
The question Of the free coinage of sill
yer WAS submitted. and to that extent
every man who went into the primary
was in honor bound to take the conse-
quences as far as his own vote was con-
cerned.
But when the platform appeared the
free coinage Of silver was upheld by
other declarations which obliterated
every landmark of Democracy and es-
tablished a new party-with new princl-
pies and purposes so utterly removed
from Democracy that no one has yet
been able 10 identify the new platform
with any that preceded it.
The platform not only demanded the
free coinage Of silver. but favored 1
such legislation as would prevent
contracts payable in gold. even
where the parties desired to make
such contracts. and, by a vote. the con-
vention refused to adopt an amendment
declaring that the contracts already
made On the gold standard should not be
payable under a different standard of
value. Thus approving tyranny in the
Government. and the grossest injustice
between citizens.
The platform not only attempts TO
extinguish all hope Ct having
the financial relief from the issue
Of State-bank notes by the repeal Of the
ten per cent tax, but denies the right Of
national banks to issue notes as in dero-
cation Of the Constitution, and claims for
Congress alone the right 10 issue money
notes. a claim which is the bald-faced
doctrine of the Populists and Green
hackers. and utterly repugnant to the
construction put upon the Constitution
by Democrats from the foundation Of the
party.
The platform declares plainly that the
purpose Of the party is to re-
constitute Out another name for pacO
the Supreme Court TO obtain a reversal
Of the decision on the income taxa pro-
ceeding which Is dcmoralizing revolu-
tionary. and intolerable, no matter how
desirable the reversal of the decision
may be. The Constitution provides for its
own amendment, and that way should
be pursued.
The platform donounccs the action OF
the Federal authorities in suppressing
the Chicago riot in 1894, although
the President, who was the author Of the
action, was then commended and APP
plauded by many of the very men who
now combine TO denounce the action they
then approved.
Tariff reform was abandoned, increased
control Of railroads was demanded pen
sions were more literally promised. and
civil service regulations were opposed:
these objectlonablc-but less radical-de-
parturvs from Democratic faith as il
has been understood, were also promul-
gated. but they would have been endured
for the sake Of the greater principles #
Democracy had such principles been any
where declared and insisted on. But the
complete surrender of all the canons OF
Democratic construction of the Consti-
tuition, the denial OF natural rights TO
citizens the declared purpose TO pack
the Supreme Court. the denunciation Of
the exercise OF lawful authority for the
suppression of a frightful riot-aH COM
bined 10 eliminate the last element OF
Democracy from the wretched hotch.pot
absurdly called the new Declaration Of
Independence.
To say that such document announces
Democratic principles or can be oblira
tory on any person who faithfully be-
heVes In such principles IS as unreason.
able as 20 say that principal Is bound
by the acts OF an agent who utterly OK
ceeds his authority and dehes the wishes
Of MS principal
The voters in tho primary supposed they
were sending delegates and agents
to Democratic convention the
fundamental principles Of the party
being assumed as indispensable and
not 10 an assembly of men who wopld