The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1896-09-24
eat the Democratic party?"

feat the Democratic party?"
By this it is presumed ia meant Messrs.
Bryan, Lind and Towne. Since when
did Messrs. Lind and Towne becomesa
part of the Democratic party? They
both repudiate the name of Democrat
Mr.. Bryan is the candidate OF three con-
ventions which adopted three different
platforms-none of which deem to be
Democratic. A iull answer to this
question is found in the Indianapolis
platform and the address referred to.
Fifth. "Who constituted them the
keepers OF the conscience OF the people?"
No one; they do not pretend to be the
keepers of anybody's conscience but
their own. They refuse to take their
Democ racy from Altgeld, Tilrnan & Co.,
or band wagon politicians
Sixth. "Why do they fill their proc
lamation with falsehoods?" They do
not-will J our correspondent, or you for
him, point out what statements are
claimed to be false?
Seventh. DO they expect by false
pretenses to deceive the people?" They
do not, nor. are they attempting 80 to do.
Eighth. "Who appointed them a
committee OF Stearns county,"
The first question covers this.
Ninth. "What party in this county do
they REPRESENT"
They represent the party composed of
those Democrats who adhere to the
principles taught and advocated by
Jefferson, Jackson. Tilden and Cleve-
land.
You ask if the writer means to say
that Senators Daniels, White, west
Cockrell, Blackburn. Jones OF Arkansas.
Gov. Hogg of Texas, etc., are morally
dishonest, that they are not Democrats
but "Populists, reckless politicians. etc. F"
To tins there are several answers. In
the first place neither the men named,
nor any member of the Chicago con-
vention is anywhere in the address call
ed morally dishonest" The language
is, 1--WE denouce their platform as morally
dishonest" The Democratic platform
OF '92 said: 1--WE denounce the Re-
publican protection az fraud, robbery
of the great majority OF the American
people for the benefit of the few"
This language we have both approved,
and presume, still approve. The writer
at least does. But he has never under
stood nor has anyone ever claimed that
the language was meant to charge per-
sOnal dishonesty to everyone who sup
ported protection. Such construction
is ridiculous.
In the next place the convention at
Chicago was not "controlled'-in the
language OF the address by the men
named by you, but by AItgeld, who
achieved a national reputation by what
is believed by many to be an abuse OF
the pardoning poverty Tillman to
whom you referred in the Daily Times OF
June 18th as "The Crazy Senator Till
man OF South Carolina, a champion Of
white metal, etc."-and others OF like
kind.
1t would occupy too much OF your
space to cover the whole ground. You
have made this unnecessary, however, by
submitting the Democratic national plat
form of 1892 as test OF what consti-
tutes Democrat. Tried by this test
where do the distinguished gentlemen,
together with your candidate for presi-
dent, stand?
You have quoted a part OF section z
OF that platform. The first sentence OF
which is: ave denounce the Republican
legislation known as the Sherman Act OF
1890, as cowardly makesbift. fraught
with possibilities of danger in the future
which should make all of it's supporters,
az we'll as it's author, anxious for it's
speedy repeal"
A democratic president was elected on
this platform. A special session of con-
sTcco WuS CouNCuSu W Shtiy ~ ihoo VI
'ect. The issue was clearly defined. The
repeal OF the purchasing clause OF the
sherman act was demanded by the Dem
,cratic platform and a Democratic ad-
.aiaistration. The record shows that
he senator's named by you, viz: Daniel,
Vest, Cockrell. Blackburn and Jones
If Arkansas, arrayed themselves
against the administration and in fiat
leiance OF their platform recorded their
votes against the repeal. In the lower
house Mr.. Bryan, your candidate for
president, was a leader in the fight
against the administration and refused
to be bound by or carry out the pro-
visions OF this platform which you sub
NIT as test.
This platform also demanded that
"the unit OF coinage of both metals must
be OF equal intrinsic and exchangeable
value or be- adjusted by International
agreement or by such safeguards OF leg
islation as shall insure the maintenance
OF the parity OF the two metals, etc."