The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-28

ADDRESS TO DEMOCRATS OF vIn-
GINA.
The Democrats OF Virginia who believe
that the principles OF the Democratic
party ere founded In the laws OF nature
which relate TO society and government.
and, therefore, cannot be changed TO meet
tho den ands OF any section OF their
cral State cCnNenticn assemblies;
rfat their political allegiance IL held
firmly 10 the party OF Jefferson and Jack
son, because OF their unaltered fQith In
the principles OF government which were
consp'cuousiy cNenpliiicd in the teachings
and administrations OF those great states
men Of the Democratic party.
That they are unwilling 70 accent the
new theories OF government which havo
been anntDnced at Chicago under the I'm
posing name OF Democracy, because sucn
theories If carried into practice. 0s tho
advocates thereof are pledged their ut
most ability TO do. would revolutlonizs
the Constitution OF the United States as
II has been construed and understood by
Democrats frCn. the foundation OF tho
Government.
The Demo Gratis OF Virginia will not
abandon their conviction that the OBJ
ssryance OF certain fundamental princi-
pies OF government is indispensable 10
securing 10 each individual citizen tho
right 10 enjoy liberty without molestation.
and TO pursue. as he may himself think
hest, the enjoyH ent OF happiness and tho
acquisition of property.
Among these essential principles they
reckon:
An insistance upon the absolute and
fore the law.
Under no pretext whatever will the
Democrats OF Virginia tolerate the per-
/ version OF government TO the creation OF
| classes among citizens, either as objects
of inimical legislation or OF fayorltsm
| and bounty.
Every citizen in a true democracy is
Ihe peer OF every other citizen. and 50
long as he conducts himself peaceably
and honest tly, is entitled to tho equal pro-
| tectlon and benefit Of the law.
! ~ further defence OF the rights OF a
/ clii1en, we hold that a jealous and watch
| ful resistance should be made 70 every
! encroachmcnt OF Government, especially
| where such encrOachments are made by
! the Governments assumption Of any bus
| mess which may be done by its citizens
! II the Government undertakes to conduct
business for citizens, the duties and oc-
| cupati0n Of citizs MS will be transferred
from their accustomed pursuits To the
! business OF COVER nment exclusively, anI
/ IN place or "A people with the least amount
! or government, there would be substi-
! tuted "A centralized socialism. In, which
the citizen will be lost in the government,
/ sOnal liberty abridged.
| The increasing tendency OF the people
TO constantly look TO government for aid.
| q tendency encouraged by the Kepublican
| party and its political progeaitors and
! carried 10 its natural and logical cOnclu-
sions by the Populists OF the present
DAY Is opposed 10 the principles OF The
| Democratic rafty. and should be stead
| fastly resisted. The government Should.
| rely on lis citizens, not the citizens on
! the government.
We lament the spectacle present by re-
! cent leaders of our party. who when the
| names Of anarchy had been extlnAlisntd
| IN Chicago, and the red hanf OF murder
had been arrested by the President under
tne eNtrcise or lawful authority. passed
| In the Senate Of the Unitel States raso-
lntions OF appreciation and Of thanks:
but In that same Chicago, scarce two
| years later, under malign influence and
| regardless OF their duty, condemned
| what they Tad so recently approved
We are alarmed at the purpose to sap
| and undermine a decision Of the United
| states Supreme Court by methods which
womi bring that court, SO long adorned
I and Illuminated by John Marshall into
| contempt and disrepute and shock tue
! nation $ resrect for an law.
Ihe Democrats OF Virginia approve the
- 9siinpncity ana economy with which tho
| Government was administered under tho
| tatAerS or tLeii party, and they propose
| methods.
For the purpose OF raising sufficient
| reNtrue for the Government thus econom-
| lcaliy administered We adhere 10 the
| doctrine OF a tariff for reyca fe only, and
| we regard with satisfaction the great in
| crease Or our experts under the rnodinca-
! tonS which a Democratic administration
ms ms ensiaited upon the oppressive Me-
The sufieringu OF those of our people
engaged IN aerlcultI raj pursuits. brought
| about largely by the excessive Drodfic-
| tlon or articles OF food In all parts OF the
! world can be relieved In no way 50 ef.
| iect'ely as by the reduction OF the bur-
dens OF taxation. To this end the Demo-
| Gratis OF Virginia viii welcome any svs-
! TEN OF taxation which is impartial be-
| tween citizens. and which will secure the
| contribution Of taxes By every pronartv.
holder IN exact proportion to his means
| ana his ability
jefferson. tho founder OF the Demo-
| cratic PARTY, and jackson, its great re-
| StOrcr. having both left the in1uress ~
their wisdom upon the financial system OF
| the GoFcihment, the real Democrats
| or virginia see no just cause To depart
| from the hLes laid down by them. I'm
| Following which the national and iudi-
| Nidudl credit OF the people of this coun-
Try nave stood unblem.shed before the
| world.
The standard Of value which was put
| INTO practical use by Jackson ant ias
remained the STANDARD OF value of thls
| country ever since. was gold and Is thar
| which has been adopted by an the great
coiuElercial nations OF the world aud
/ mas been the substantial basis OF cKsry
| contract made in this country for over
| sixty years. To abolish that standard Of
| value now and substitute an Inferior. de-
| bdT'ili ana uutll dliNS stdD11fi would ba
| unwlse as 10 ali future contracts. but az
| 10 those already made would he tho
| most stupendoUs financial crime e.er
| CONSUMING ted.
such convulsion OF the bussneS Of
| THIS coHLtry as would result from the
| adoption Of such a policy wOuls occasion
| incalculable losses TO all the people. and
especially 10 labor and others least able
! TO bear them
The Democrats OF Virginia approve tho
| uso OF silver 10 the greatest extent con-
! sistent with its maintaining its rarity
with gold, but they will protest against
| a debaacment OF our money which would
baniSh gold from circulation, and will re-
| slst with their utmost power any act Of
| Injustice TO the savings " the prudent
and laboriOys.
They resA { as an arbitrary act OF
tyranny the proposition IN the Chicago
| platform 10 forbid citizens to make con-
tracts in any kind or money they may
select.
la order to afford full and proper flnan-
ciai relief 10 our people. we will urge
/ such LEGISLATION by Congress will re-
| move the oppressive features OF the ma
| tional bank law, and permit an enlarge
ment to banks OF the right 10 issue notes
| redeemable on demand In lawful money,
| gold, silver, or other legal tende.> under
! such limitations as may be deemed Wise
| and safe.
We favor the termination OF the endless
| chain OF Govern ent notes. the existence
| OF which constantly menaces the Treas
| ury reserves OF gold. while the enlarge
| ment OF the currency under the plans
herein suggested will so increase the cir
| culatirg medium OF the country as 10
enable the Government without con-
traction. to retire It's demand notes and
|In