Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-07

OUR PLATFORM.

During the past day or Two the New
York World and the New York Journal
have both been discussing the probable
action of the Virginia Democracy with
reference TO the Chicago platform.
The World is informed that there is
a great controversy going on in this
State over the matter. and would have
US steer clear OF national politics. The
Journal. on the other hand. urges us to
stand by the national platform of our
party.
Let not either of our New York con-
temporaries disturb itself. 1t is almost
as certain as IL it were already done that
the convention. which is TO assemble in
the course OF a few months to nomi-
nate Democratic State ticket will
endorse and reafiirm our national plat
form-and this is language that will
admit of no uncertainty.
In the first place. action such as that
IS usual in Virginia. But ii II were not
usual 1t would be necessary now. be-
cause a policy OF evasion or silence
would be misunderstood An over
whelming majority of the Democrats of
the Old Dominion unreservedly approve
the Chicago platform, and the free S:l-
yer plank in particular. and they Will
insist upon 1t that they are entitled to
draft the platform, and that the mi
nority are equally bound to abide by
the decision of the majority.
A year ago the voice of our party in
this State, as uttered at Staunton, was
unequivocally in favor Of free silver, and
we cannot but believe that free silver Is
stronger in Virginia now than it was
then, or was in the month OF November
last.
The argument is being advanced. how
ever, that national questions have no
place In State election. But our peo-
pie do not look at the question in that
light. We have referred to the custom
OF our State conventions endorsing the
national platforms; but more-the sena-
tors and delegates to be chosen in No
vember are at the coming session TO
elect n successor to Senator Daniel. 1t
appears that he will have a walk-over,
but IL is the purpose of the party 10
make assurance double sure and COM
nit every Democratic legislator who
may be elected in November 10 the free
silver doctrine. But not only will all
the legislators elected in November have
to vote for Major Daniels successor. but
the senators then chosen VIII have TO
vote for Mr.. Martins successor two
years later. SO the argument that
national questions have no place in the
pending canvass" will not hold: nor is
II made by any one, so far as We know,
who zealously supported Bryan last
year. For these reasons. and for other
reasons that might be advanced. 1t is
fully expected that the next Democratic
State convention viii endorse and re-
affirm the Chicago platform.
II cannot do otherwise; 1t Will have
no desire to do otherwise. And in sup
port OF such platform and the candi-
dates that may be placed thereon. we
may confidently count. not only upon the
$4,000 voters who last fan voted for
Bryan. but upon thousands Of other
Democrats who were persuaded or in
siuced to withhold their votes from oer
ticket last year.
So we conclude that In the nature of
things the next State Democratic con-
yention must and will endorse and re-
affirm the platform OF our party adopted
by the National Convention held at
Chicago last June.