Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-13

II Is n foresone conclusion that our
,,.,rocratic State Convention will endorse
and reaffirm the Chicago PLATFORM
Among those who supported Bryan sen
,iment is SC nearly unanimous on TINS
noint there can be no doubt as 10 what
will be the action of our convention.
The man that rises in the convention
and proposes any substitute for ciear'
clean-cut. out and out endorsement VI
the national platform Of the Democratic
marty Will have TO face Wholly un.
svmpathetic audience. But we 90 ho'
sov that the audience would refuse him
q hearing. No; but 1t would give him a
ou,c, answer by a practically unani-
nous vote.
There is but one National Democratic
party aud that is the party we oeiohs
10. And. as a matter Of course, the pat
form Of our national party must be our
Virginia platform.
After our convention has met and
sdopted a platform and nominated
State ticket. il viii remain to be seen
whether the currency question shall be-
corne the foremost issue in this State
or not. If the opposition raises the goiu
standard conspicuously and makes
great TODD about "honest money etc.
we shall have repeated, TO some extent
in this State, the fight of last year But
on the other hand, if the opposition
adonts different tactics. different sort
of canvass may result
In any event, all of our party candi-
dates In the coming, contest VIII be COM
mttted to the support OF the Chicago
platform. This is as sure as anything
can possibly be that is in the womb OF
the future.
II will be interesting to see what posi-
lion the opposition will take in the mat
,.r Of the Dingley tariff. If they hope
for Republican votes they will have to
endorse the Republicans tariff, or at
least agree not 10 denounce 1t. Inc he-
publicans will not consent to aid any
cause which condemns the CHIEF act
NJ their administration. President NC
Kinley could not approve OF his virginia
followers joining a political movement
which made free criticism OF the 'ariil'
ON the other hand, should Repuoli'
can state ticket be put into the Held
there ~ many gold Democrats whose
votes would never be given 1t.
Really. 1t would seem that II wouiu DC
an exceedingly difficult matter TO effect
a union in this State between high pro-
lection Republicans and low tarin gold
Democrats. -
Pint IL may be contended that the tariff
ouestion Twill have no place In our state
canvass" No matter wnether II Will
have or not. It will be discussed upon
every stunp and upon every occasion.
Probably Congress will then just nave
adjourned and its work Will be before the
people. And that work Is gong 10 NC
examined very closely
The truth of 1t is that the signs OF the
times are that in the coming canvass
in Virginia, all sorts OF issues VIII DC
discussed-free silver, "honest money
+.honest elections" tariff. retrenchment
and reform, etc.. etc. 1t VIII be can
xass of many issues and II viii not
he IN the power OF any man. or set OF
,nen 10 "side-track" any one OF these
issues. And so far as the Democratic
party Is concerned. we believe 1t Is ready
10 meet any or all. separately or collec-
lively.
However. We only started out TO say
that Democratic sentiment in the Old
Dominion approves the Chicago platform
and wishes to see 1t heartily endorsed
and reafirmed by our State convention
Indeed, the Virginia platform has been
10 thoroughly decided upon by the
people. the Committee on Resolutions
will have little TO do but to reduce TO
writing and 10 report TO the convention
the verdict that has been pronounced IN
advance by our voters.