Middletown transcript., 1896-07-11
DEMocRA rIc EDITORS SPEAK

|
| DEMoCRA rIC EDITORS SPEAK.
| Will the Democrats repudiate The
Chicago platform and nomineesP Ger.
t,inly the Democratic editors of the
eastern papers cannot bring themselves
to accept either. Insttai of feeling re.
joiced that SO great-calamity-has be.
fallen the Democratic Party, to be
captured soul and body by populistic
doctrine, we regret it and not without
some alarm. If the great body of that
party has been so completely and SO
speedily captured by the "free silver
craze" may it not sweep the country
and march on victorious to the White
Housep We do not believe That it will,
but we are not rejoicing to see a great
party lend itself towards that end.
The opinion Of Democratic editors on
the Chicago Convention is very inter-
esting. Here are some selections that
thoughtful Democrats may read with
| profit from the "Philadelphia Times''
of Thursday
1.-THE spirit of reputation and
anarchy ran riot in the Chicago So
called Democratic Convention yester-
day when its committee adopted a
platform on which the party is to make
its battle for the next Presidency.
There is not single paragraph in the
platform enunciating distinct prin-
ciple or policy of government that
gives any recognition to national honor
or to the integrity of American citi-
zenship. Reputation runs through
every paragraph relating to money,
and anarchy is blended with the dregs
of the old States Rights idea in the
declaration that the greatest Republic
of the earth shall be powerless to MAIN
tain law and order within its dominion.
''Such platform logically commen-
ces its declaration of principle with a
deliberate falsehood when it declares
that the act of 1873 was passed and
silver demonetized without the knowl-
edge or approval of the American
people," There is not member of
the committee that framed the plat
form who did not know this declara-
tion to be absolutely false. That act
was deliberately and patiently consi-
dered in three different sessions of
Congress covering period of nearly
three years, and necessarily embracing
two distinct Congresses. After it had
been proposed and discussed without
final passage, a new Congress was
elected with that discussion fresh be-
fore the people; that new Congress re-
sumed the consideration of the measure
and finally passed the bill, and with
the approval and support of most of
the Senators from the silver States, in
cludinga a number who are now blatant
free silverites.
To declare that silver was demon
etized without the knowledge or ap-
approval of the American people, is so
consciously false on the part of those
who have uttered it that it places the
authors of this platform, and the tie eefa-
vention that adopted it, in absolute
disgrace in the judgment of every in
telligent and fair minded American
citizen. In,point of fact, there was no
demonstration Of silver in 1873 be-
cause there was no silver to demonetiza,
as legal tender silver dollars had been
out Of circulation for ne arly forty
years; ard the &C was more elaborately
discussed in Congress and by the press,
and its aims and purposes more generally
understood by the people, than is COM
mon in the adoption of measures of
the gravest moment"
The Chicago platform is without a
redeeming feature to commend it to
patriotic citizens of any political faith.
There is not a single vital attribute of
Democracy presented in it, with the
single exception of the pelfunctory
paragraph ON equality of tariff taxes.
1t is q proclamation of organized re-
padiation, ,ayrarianism and an lrchy, and
1t must Summon every Intelligent and
patriotic citizen, regardless Of political
affiliations to most heroic battle against
the triumph of madness that is as
deadly in its aim as was the madness
Of seccessioi / in 1860, and without
even the poor excuse that secessi N
had for It's suicide.
The Baltimore "Sunn says:
Zone of the most striking features Of
the new platform proposed for the DEM
ocracy in 1896 is its direct antagonism
TO the platform Of 1892 and it, open
reputation and Condemnation Of the
administration elected upon that plat
form. Nothing In Mr.. CleveIand's ca
reer has given him stronger claim
upon the respect and gratilude of the
American people than the s,licitLde
which he has shown for The protection
Of the national credit when 1 hreatepcd !
BY the gradual depletion .sf the gold
reserve. Only after earnest aid nm
avxiiing appeals 70 Congress Is oome !
70 The RESCUE of The reserve aud the
relief d the treasnEy did Preaident