The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-24
"GOld Democrat Endorsed.


Strive wish TO endorse very heartily
the views OF Gold Democrat as eN-
pressed In his letter. which you puoHsheu
on Sunday Re voices the sentiment OF
many earnest and influential Democrats
within our own knowledge.
While The Times is generally on the
right side, and succeeds in proving the
soundness OF its position your edltorlal
reply 10 the letter in question is not AZ
ali satisfactory.
First. Let US say that your CRITICISM
OF the term cold Democrat IS ground
less. In the present chaotic condition OF
Democratic tenets. 20 speak OF Demo
crat, without prefix or explanation,
conveys no very distinct notion or the
mans political faith. The rules or denni-
ton require some qualifying ADJECTIVE.
In countries where only one KIM OF
potato is known II is sufficient TO call
for potatoes-there is no danger Of a mis-
take: but with us the order must be given
for sweet potatoes or Irish potatoes, ac-
cording TO your liking SO, time was
when the word Democrat" standing
alone had an unmistakable significance.
II had not then become the Joker OF
politicians. adopted 10 any suit whlcii
might be trumps for the time being, ana
PLAYED to catch the richest trick.
The rise of the "Popocrat, with MS
marvellous facility for stealing names
borrowing principles and improving plat
school, Democrats 20 use some distln-
gushing prefix IL they would not be mis-
understood. And we see no objection TO
the term Gold Democrat" as lndicat-
Ing the soundest and most unadulterated
sort OF a Democrat.
In the next place. you say there can
be only two reasons for putting up a
straight-out Democratic State ticket, VIZ. f.
%, the hope Of electing men on real
Democratic platform; and G); to carry
on the campaign OF education, begun last
fall Replying to the first suggestion. you
say we should not place another ticket
in the field because there is no possible
chance Of electing any nominees on a
real Democratic platform
This would seem 10 be a confession that
your advocacy and support OF the India
napolis movement was unJustliiable, since
nobody supposed for a moment that the
Palmer and Buckner ticket would be
elected.
But Il IS well known that the National
Democratic" platform nominees were sup
ported as n protest against the Chicago
outrage, and not In the hope or electinB
our candidates. Is there no cause Tor
protest in the Roanoke schemeY
Against the second suggestion you re-
mark that "the campaign OF education
will go on anyhow" because the truth
IS mighty and will prevail.
But why was IL not SUFFICIENT 10 fold
our hands with this comfortable reflection
I'm 1852 Then, as now, we needed only 10
wait for the sober second thought OF
our people TO set everything right. But
YOU Mr.. Editor. are too wise man not
20 know that the plainest truths are con-
stantly being repressed or perverted ny
individuals and parties. some through ig-
norance, others knOwingly-"si sinners
against light"
For nearly nineteen hundred years the
most important and indisputable truth
in all history has been fighting for rec
ignition and acceptance. We are assured
upon the best authority that II will ul-
timately triumph; but the injunction is
none the less aid upon US 10 proclaim this
truth from the hOuse-tOps. Truth Is
mighty force. to be sure, but like cleo
tricity, II must have conductor for prac-
teal application. II generated and let
where IL will strike or what damage VIII
result Last fall you taught us 10 be-
lieye (and we still belieye) that ours was
the sacred mission OF conserving the prin-
ciples OF true Democracy while so many
others were playing false with the cause
they affected 10 honor and support.
Those people are still advocating the
doctrines which you then denounced in
such unsparing terms; they still impugn
the motives of all WhO differ from them;
they consider Gold Democrats un-
worthy Of a place in their councils; and
no man whose record is not free silverish
TO the core need show his head as a can
di1ate for office at their hands
Now. so long as this state Of things ex-
lists IL appears 10 US that 1.-The campaign
of education" will stand a good deal OF
pushing yet We think there is still need
OF vigorous work for the diffusion OF cor
rect ideas touching certain public ques-
tions-nOt spasmodic, periodical work, as
you suggest. once in every four years
but organized and unremitting effort un-
Ill the battle against Chicago and Roa-
nOke heresies is won for all time. We
trust you will not become slack in the
which has brought so much
credit and honor TO your valuable paper.
RICHMOND"
Richmond, Va, August 3, 1897.