The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-12
Tie rrnlcs or RnrrING.

| IIII
The contest in New York city Is bring
Ing out some interesting opinions from
our free silver friends on the ethics OF
boiling.
We have already mentioned the fact
that some Of the professors are declar-
| ing that the regular Democratic ticket
headed by Mr. Van Wyck. does not de-
serve the support Of the followers Of Mr.
Bryan. because the platform adopted does
not declare for free silver and that the
| Georgeites were justifable IN boiling
We have also mentioned the fact that
Mr.. Clark Howell, editor Of the Atlanta
| Constitution, and a member OF the Nj
tional Democ,atic Committee. has ex-
pressed the opinion that the Van Wyck
ticket IS the regular ticket and should
have the support OF all Democrats. 1T Sc
/ true" says the Constitution. that the
meeting which nominated George endorsed
the Chicago platform; but George. as
he declared when his candidacy was an
nonnced, makes his own platform. He
does not endorse the Chicago platform
as a whole and he has never figured any
waere or at any time. as a regular organ
tied Democrat. IT. has been busy main
tanning his own theories and doctrines.
and many OF these are not Democratic.
He announces that he IS opposed 70 the
reconciliation OF silver as demanded by
the Chicago platform. lie voted for
Bryan because he could not conscientious
IS support the doctrines represented By
Mckinley"
AND the Constitution continues:
As the regular Democratic nominee for
Mayor OF Greater New York, there seems
10 be no doubt OF the validity OF Judge
Van Wycks claim. lie represents me
Democratic party pure and simple lie
represents the Democratic oganizauon-
the organization which supported Bryan
and stood true to Democratic principles
and which has been true 10 the party
through many years.
II Is true that this Democratic organi-
cation did not take occ sion TO reaiiiIm
the Chicago platform when it nominated
Judge Van Wyck. but 10 IS equally N'ie
that there are 10 national issues at stake
IN this campaign the contest being pure
~ q municipal one. More than this. the
organization which nominated Judge
Van Wyck gave a hearty support 10 the
Chicago platform and Mr.. Bryan in the
national campaign last fall. There was
no need for IT 10 repledge itself TO the
Chicago platform n the municipal contest
As for the Democratic nominee, Judge
Van WICK he has always been q regular
ORGANIZED Democrat. He was for the
Chicago platform, as he himself de-
oiares. heart and soul. Even in this con-
test. the results OF which concern the
Municipality alone, he ~ making the
fight as a regular Democrat His own
personal record. as well as the record
Of the organization which he represents
is a sufficient answer 10 the suggestion
that Judge Van Wycls is not the regular
Democratic candidate.
We make no apology for again printing
The Constitutions article. for It IS interest
ing in ITSELF. and doubiy so when paral-
leled with that which IS 70 follow.
In view Of these differences, it is natural
that heroic attempts should have been
made to draw out an opinion from Mr
Bryan. Al such efforts have failed, how
ever, and in the dilemma Of (which shall
It be-" Mr.. Bryan holds his peace. Bat
may we not guess at Mr. Bryan's opinion
from his past utterances? In his book.
entitled "The First Battle PIP. 126, l27,
he says:
docs participation in primary or CON
venuon bind the voter to support a policy
which he considers ruinous? II he tries.
through his party organization. TO save
his country and fails. must ne. therefore.
take a hand in its destruction? II a great
question arises must he assume that his
party will so wrong, and, therefore, leave
it before it acts. or should he try to hold
his party to the right course?
IF pledge IS TO be required It should
be required Of those who select delegates
as well as Of those who act as delegates,
but what organization has right 20 re-
quire such a pledge?
cor will It recognize the right Of al
Democrats 70 a voice IN the deliberations
Of the party. with the reserved right 20
abandon the party whenever the party
abandons the cause Of the people?
"Eaye not the majority a right 70 re-
tain the party name and organization7
unless all members OF the party have
right to take part in the decision?
4" . . They say the free coinage OF
silver means individual dishonesty, com
mercial disaster and national dishonor.
and, If they believe what they say. they
ought not to support the ticket, because
their duty TO their country is higher than
their duty TO their party organization
This clearly indicates that Mr.. Bryan
IS in sympathy with those Democrats
who bolted the regular ticket because
free silver was ignored, and that he APP
proves the course OF al persons who quit
the party organization when. in THEN
opinion. the party does not represent the
country's true interests
Now contrast Mr.. Bryan's views with
those Of the Constitution.
---------
JOHN A. CuNSIsGHAN..
Virginia never lost truer or more loyal