The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-07-14
THE CHICAGO PLATFORM
DisseeteL by tho Huntsville Couricr.Lour,
nai--Witnt II Means. III,

FE y-------
pissertetl by tho Louisville Courlcr.Lour,
Mai-Wbnt II Means.
Louisville Courier Journal (Dcm):
Tho duty nov upon every Democrat Is
to oxaminoGthe Chicago platform, as-
certain md determine whether IL Is II
Democratic docuhcnt, and, therefore.
whether he. us " democrat, 10 called
uron 10 help subject tho country 10 II.
Tho FIRST plank demands tho free and
unlimited colnuge OF silver ut tho ratio
OF 10 to l" without tho cooperation OF
any other nation; demands that IL silver
dollar of 10 to l DO mnde n full legal
tender, equal TO gold, for I'LL debts, pub
lie ANA private; and demands such legls-
latioh as VIII prevent any onu from
contracting or refusing to receive nll6
to l silver dollar nv equal. 10 II gold dol
lar In value, Tho question arises
whether OR not this IN n bafe. faced doc.
larntion for reputation by net OF Con-
gross; II proposition to cheat nll cred
itors TO tho extent OF fifty cents on the
dollar; n proposition TO take this coun-
try from where 1t hns always stood In
tho list OF sound money countries. and
place It among the list OF deprecated
currency nations; or, IL 1t Democratic
doctrine?
The second plank requires the United
states to constrIe all obligations, pay
able In "coih" as payable In 'thls de-
prpciatcd silver or nifty cents on the dol
lar; although coin. meant the gold
standard OF coin at thc time tho obli-
cation was incurred. The question nrIs-
es,tis such national Reputation and dis
honor Democratic doctrine?
The third plank in the platform for
bids the Issuing by tho United States
OF any bonds in time OF peace, even
though 1t be to support the national
credit and prevent the nation from
stopping payment and going to protcs.
tation. The question arises whether
such u standard OF national honor, and
such treatment of those who have trust
cd h nation, are consistent with Dem
ocratlc principles?
The next plank declares for fiat p
money, to be issued by Congress alone:
and destroys the solvent system OF
banking, recognized as hest Throughout
the civilized world. The question H.,
whether such n revolution In the theory
or finance, converting the government
into a banking organization, for the Is
sue or flat money, limited only by the
amount that members OF Congress may
choose TO Issue, Is consistent with the
Democratic sound money doctrines OF
Jefferson, jackson, Benton and Tlldcn?
The next plank relates to the tariff.
IL X OF the limiting word ''only" for
revenue; contains no practical sugges-
uon OF nfltipethy to special privileges
under the ruise OF tarlft laws; and ends
BY RELOCATING the tariff Issue 10 the
rear as something not now important
enough 10 be taken up. is this tho long
fouSht-for Democratic doctrine Of tariff
reform, and n tarlff for revenue only?
The next plank Is q coarse and revo-
lutionnry attack upon the supreme
court OF the United States, because of
lis decision In the income tax case; a
prpositlon to reverse the constitution
OF the United States and the wisdom OF
Its. founders, by taking away the life
term and independence Of It's Judges.
and render them subject to the varying
whiTs and demands OF popular cleo
lions. Is this Democracy?
The next plank threatens to hereafter
constitute" the supreme court OF the
United states differently no M to
cause 1t 10 reverse the income tax de-
clSlon; such n change TO be. OF course.
by packing tho court with judges who
have rcudy-made opinions, TO suit this
platform. Is this the Democracy which
so denounced the packing OF tho su-
preme court bench by the Republicans
In the legal tender cases, just after
the war?
The next plank dcnounces the waste
OF money" by Congress: but, in the
same breath, the platform advocates
unlimited millions on a n unlimited
pension roll" and unlimited millions
irS FIyCfs aud ~ rhnt. It1tr 81 T., .lT,. s.F...H
Sality?" Is this the simplicity and
economy which have been so advocat-.
ed In every Democratic platform?
The next plank demands the pure
anarchy Of permitting lawless armed
bodies OF strikers md rioters CIkc Dchs
n others) to seize possession OF and
destroy property not their own, OBJ
slruct the transportation OF the mills,
the people and products of the country:
accompanied. II necessary, BY the do
struct!on,of life. and yet torb!ds the ex-
erclsinS by the executive or tho courts
OF the only legal process and remedy
which experience has shown is adc-
quate to protect life and property from
such unlawful Jeopardy and destruc-
ton; the platform applying to such le-
gal process to, prevent wrong the nn-
archlst's eplthet OF government by IN
junction" Is this consistent with the
Democratic principle OF preservation OF
personal rights, the protection OF prop
erty. the enforcement OF law. md the
observance of constitutional limIta-
lions: or Is 1t anarchy?
Every Democrat must decide for him
self whether this Is Democracy, or
something which has usurped the name.
He must determine whether this plat
form Is ANY kin" 10 him.