The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-21
SILVER NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT
ESTE


John r. Tanner, the Republican candi-
date for Governor of Illinois. has made
public statement that. in his opinion.
the money question would Doe practically
eliminated from the campaign within six
ty days. and that moro vital issue
Will send the financial question TO the
rear.
1T will soon develop as the campaign
progresses" Doe said, that we are fight
ing noi Democracy. but Populism, this
year. We shall first combat the free
silver sentiment, then we shall show that
Mr. Bryau's platform strikes cot the
very foundation of our Government. Tie
assault upon the Supreme Court and
the entire Federal judiciary system is
more dangerous If possible than t1e att
tack upon the national credit. We will
show the motives behind the proposition
to abolish the rule of life terms I'm office.
which now applies 10 Judges OF the Fed
eral courts, and TO the army and navy
General Edward Bragg. a distinguished
Democrat. of Wisconsin. has published
an address TO the Democrats OF that
State. IN which he charges the South
and the Populists with oyerthrow.us the
Iong-ostablshed rules cnl customs of the
Democratic party, and being controlled
by the spirit of Coxcy ami Herr Most.
~ that we have an eminent Republican
and an eminent Democrat making public
statements about the same time in re-
gard 10 the Chicago platform. ana sc find
the two in substantial accord.
Mr.. Tanner is perfectly r.sht. The Re
publican party is not lighting Democracy
in this canvass. There is no Democracy
in the Chicago platform except its OPEN
ing declarations that are Immediately
dcncd 10y the specific measures that il
pledges The party to. The platform was
made TO suit the Populists and ii is an
expression Of Populist opinions except
where it is the work Of Altgeld. and
at those points it declares for that am
arcny which he loves SO well.
We should De delighted 10 think
that Mr.. Tanner was right. and
that the financial issue was going
20 DE eliminated from the discus
sion Of the other issues presented I'm
the Chicago p,atfcrm. But We fear no
such result is TO De attained. The delu-
sions of cheap money make so strong an
appeal to ignorant men that we greatly
/ fear that those who are now under their
/ sway cannot be diverted % the considera-
! ton of any other questions. But, i'm
| portant as the issue OF free silver IS. -
| IS by no means so important as other
issues presented in the Chicago platform.
/ That platform calls upon the Democratic
party. If It comes into power. TO pack the
/ Supreme Court of the United States SO
/ that a decision ii has made urOn most
important constitutional question may
be overruled and upturned. II that propo-
sition is TO become an accepted one IN
our scheme of government. then We have
rs,shine fixed and established az all: We
have no rights whatever that are rights
We hold our lives and all that we pos
scss AT the will Of whoever may chance
10 rule in high places. and the constitu-
ton of government might just as well be
torn up and thrown away.
THAT platform declares in effect, when
tie gloss is cast aside and its true mean
irg is considered. that power shall not
inieryeaa to arrest tho fury OF = mol