The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-23
CONSISTENT DEMOCRACY.

Those Democrats who are going 20 vote
for Bryan. rsa Populist. claiming that
their own party has deserted them, are
not very well posted on the history OF
their party. During the discussions on
the money question within the past few
weeks the views of Jefferson on the sub
Jet OF sound money have been pretty
freely repeated. A continuous policy Is to
be found. Also throughout the platforms
adopted by the Democratic party I'D 10
the present year, when the true blue De-
mocracy was outvoted by the Populistic
element.
some Of the platforms OF rhat party have
not, Republicans were disposed to believe.
been for the best interests OF the United
States, but those differences have always
been founded upon a logical policy. and the
contrast between them and the platform
adopted at Chicago this year Is very
marked. For instance. the latter recites
a. a grievance that the first coinage law
passed by congress under the constitution
made the silver dollar the unit OF value
aud that this has since been changed. IL
was immateriai which dollar was the unit
provided that the silver dollar was pro-
porticned in the true value 10 the gold
dollar. or the gold dollar TO the silver dol
lar. That Is TO say, IL the true ratio was
Is 10 /. II did not matter whether the unit
was IS or l. II a foot Is always TO consist
OF twelve inches. the ratio would be
twelve inches 70 one foot. and 1t could
make no difference whether United
states law made the foot or the inch the
unit
But this absurd grievance Is OF small
matter compared TO the deviations be-
tween all prior platforms and that Of 1886
on the subject of sound money. In 1892 he
national Democratic convention had
sort OF plank which seemed to favor free
coinage, OF silver. but IT was safeguarded
by a provision that ''ths dollar unit OF
coinage OF both metals must be OF equal
intrinsic value
AS neither metal has an intrinsic value
except that accorded 1t in the markets of
the world. 1t could not by any sort OF
twisting be made 20 intend now the ratio
OF l6 to /.
In 1850 the Democrats specifically de-
manded honest money" In 1875 the
Democrats declared that reform is neees-
sary to establish sound currency. restore
the public credit and maintain the ma
tsonal honor" This was aimed at paper
money. but the principle is the same. In
1858 that party declared in favor of zone
currency for the government and the peo-
pie. the laborer and the ofiiceholder. the
pensionsr and the soldier. the producer
and the bondhoher."
II unnecessary 10 20 very far back in
| refsrenc. to state Democratic platforms
| but those of lae Empire state. In which
| Senator David y HJn wieids so powerful
an influence. AFFORD good example OF the
! rest. In 1856 The New York state Demo-
/ cratic platform declared "a tollowsi We
| are against the coinage OF any silver dol
lar which .s not OF the intrinsic value OF
/ every other Dollar IN the United states.
/ In 1893 The state platform denounced the
/ silver purchasing act Of 100 and called for
rs speedy ans unconditional repeal" In
/ 1891 the following plank was adopted:
/ we rejoice that ay the repeal Of the sher-
/ man law for the purchase and storage Of
+ silver button all fear OF a deprecated cur
reacy has been allayes.~ Substantially
| ~. money plank Of 1905 wss: sound
money. GOLD and silver the only legal ten
| der: no free ana unlimited coinage OF
! silver"
In 1885 the Democrats state platform ~
] New York contains This clause. FIRES
| coinage q silver BY the Ualted States
alone should BE resisted with the fervor
! Of both par,isauship ans patriotism by
/ Democrats sveryw here
PR over ore hundred years the policy
of The Democratic party, inherited from
/ the founders OF the constitution, has de-
/ rlares n favor - sound money and
against The coinage OF slther metal al a
/ fictitious ratio
Throughout TIE lie o. the United states
TO party has ever demanded shs free and
uaIinited coinage % silver At fictitious
ratio except the Greenaackers. who in ISIS
advocated the issue Of notes bearing e rate
o. Interest rot exeeeting esnt a cay o.
Zach SO. and tas Popaiists IN sAe ornaAs
| platform q fss7. wAe secisre saSootcdly
! far Eat money.