The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-01
LOOK AHEAD TO 1900.
All Its Principles Have Been Adam
doned and Its Organization Sur
rendered to the Peoples Party
Its Only Salvation Is Adherence
Hold 1t Together.

~
Hold 1t Together.
In the nation al large the actions OF the
Snicago convention split the Democratic
| party IN swo- The Democrats who tndorse
the PLATFORM and the nominees OF that
convention claim that they constitute the
regularly organized and the only real
democratic party of the country. while
lhe democrats who denounce that plat
form ana the nominees of that conyen-
ton point 10 the declaration OF the lndi-
anapoas convention as the true EXPIRES
sion on Inc established and time-honored
pHhcipies or Democracy. and they insist
that these principles must constitute in
the iutura as they have in the past. the
iouhoation structure of the Democratic
party.
10 any one who has read the Chicago
Platform and who is familiar with the his
tors OF the Democratic party there can be
no oAiHcuity and no hesitation in deter
mining which side is right Indeed. it
may with reason and justice be said that
no intelligent man, whether conversant
WITH democratic principles or not, but
Simply advised of the fact that the Dem
occalc party is the oldest political party
in the Oaitsd States. and that for more
lnaH Sixty Years it shaped the policy and
administered the government OF the coun-
Try. could read the platform OF the Chi
caso convention and not be instantly inn
pressed WITH the conviction that no polit-
lcat organization based upon such a de-
ciaration could have been formed in the
saiN Gays OF our national existence, or. IL
formed could have secured the confidence
ana support OF the American people. The
seeas or death are in that platform. II
Is not only un-Democratic and un-Ameri-
San. II Is fanatical and sef-destructive.
Like an angry serpent, 1t bites its own vi
'aIs and poisons itself 10 death.
ms Is the platform upon which the
ShicaSo nominees stand and ask the sup
port of the Democratic party-nay, de-
mand tnat superior the ground that it
- the work or the regular party organiza-
uon. ana that they are the regular candi-
dates of the party
IL Is indeed the work and they are the
Sahoidates, OF the Chicago convention.
NJ man disputes 1t. But when that con-
seition put forth that platform 1t made
every true Democrat in the land shud-
def AND when IL nominated young pol
ltician. 80 years old, for president Of the
oniteu states. who being present in the
convention as a delegate freshly made TO
order, stepped to the front and in wild
ourst or defamation defended the enun-
cations OF the platform. the great body
OF the Intelligent and patriotic Democrats
OF the country. in sorrow. shame and in
dienation. declared that they would not
vote for him
another convention was called. two old
gray halred men. one United States SEN
ator the other an ex-governor. one a gen.
eral IN the Federal army. the other a
general in the Confederate army more
tndn thirty years ago. and both brave.
able and tried. were nominated. and a
platform of principles was adopted which
uas the clear-cut ring of bugle note,
and which received the instant approval
OF every true Democrat in the United
States.
The only true sense in which Mr. Bryan
and his Democratic followers are the
regulars" Is that the Chicago conven-
ton deliberately and regularly manu-
featured its two thirds power by force
and fraud, and that with like elaboration
and regularity it trampled under foot the
principles of Jefferson and Jackson.
sErned a deaf ear to the appeal of the
only true Democrats in the convention.
and adopted series of '.planks" which
are rotten and dangerous to stand upon.
and which were fashioned by such states
men as Tillman and Altgeld.
From such regularity may God save the
Democratic party.
Turning now to the condition of things
| in our own state. what do we see?
| recall nothing in the history of Ameri-
can politics that is more shameful than
| the action of those Democrats who went
| as delegates to the Elensburg conven-
| ton. unless ii be the action of those, par
| ticularly. who sought and secured nomi-
| nations for congressional and state off,
| ces in that political bawdy house.
| We have in our country. unfortunatel
men who make politics their business.
| They live from year to year on the mon
| ely that party candidates corruptiy put
| in circulation. But these men pretend. ct
| least, to have political convictions, and.
l IS a rule. they are loyal and faithful to
| their party
| The Chicago convention. in its platform,
in its nominee. and in the decker that
/ was openly made with the Populists at ST.
| Loiiis. gave notice to all the world that
| political principles were to be disregarded
| and trampied under foot. and that the only
| object and purpose of political organiza-
! ton and action were TO secure election to
| Office.
| 1t was no surprise, therefore. to see the
| Democratic delegates at Eliensburg. who
| themselves Endorsed the action OF the Chi
| cago convention, plot and scheme for
| fusion with the Populists and the free
| Silver Republicans. but as their friends at
| Chicago had managed 70 secure the in
| dorsement of their candidate by the Popu-
| lists. and, at the same time to retain the
| Democratic name. there was yet one step
| lower in political infamy and baseness
| which Ii was possible 10 take. and the
/ Elienshurg Democrats took that step.
| AT the command OF the Populists they
| abandoned the name Of their party. and
| from that time on they have been. and
! they are today. supporting the nominee
/ OF the Chicago convention not as Demo
/ Gratis. bat as members of the Populist
/ party In this state The only nominees VINO
| were certified 20 the secretary of state
| from Ellensburg were certified by the
| chairman and secretary of the Populist
/ convention, ana the only party name In
| thai certificate has no reference TO or
suggestion OF the Democratic party or
| Democratic principles.
| The Democratic delegates got down on
| their knees and begged their Popusist
| masters for permission TO name two or
| three men on the ticket. some OF them
| made feeble and riflfal appeal 10 have
/ the word Democrat linked In one way
/ or anotherSwith the name OF the dominant
| Popultsis in the certificate that was TO be
/ sen, IN 70 the secretary OF state, but the
| appeal was sternly refused
| And were Il not fer the action taken by
/ those Democrats who neet In convention
/ a Tacoma on the 18th DAY Ct September
/ last. the name Of our old party would not.
/ n tbs presidential election year. appear
| upon the official ballot in the STAKE of
| Washington.
| Such being the facts. what future Is
there for the Democrats party n this
sfase2
In tire East we may confidently expect a
| successful restoration OF our party o-gans-