The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-22
SUNDAY. AUGUST. % 1897.
THE PROPER COURSE FOR VIRGINIA
DEMOCRATS


We publish in another column letter
from a cold Democrat advocating the
nomination Of q Democratic ticket IN
Virginia IN opposition TO the nominees
of the Roanoke Convention and asking
our advice
At the outset we must say we dislike
the name "Gold Democrat" and tolerate
1t only as mere everyday distinction Of
real Democrats from those who under
that honored name promulgated the
false and revolutionary programme adopt
ed last year at Chicago. The testimony
Of Vest and Morgan and others, who
have protested against the Chicago plat
form, is sufficient to show that irrespec-
tive Of the free coinage plank, st was
off the lines of established Democratic
principles.
The great body OF Democrats were at
Chicago by desperate and selfish leaders
carried into the cave OF adulamites-a
mammoth cave indeed it was wherein were
found Populists. Silver Republicans. Agi-
tators, Revolutionists. Mobocrats and
wild men generally. We never have and
we never will concede to that orwd and TO
the Chicago manifesto the merit of being
Democratic.
In our opinion, the principles CT Democ-
racy were maintained by the Indianapolis
Convention and the adherents to those
principles are Democrats" without any
prefix or explanation.
No amount Of ratification by silverites
can obscure the defects Of the Chicago
platform. The defiance Of reason and
right by the Roanoke Convention in ap-
parently adopting 1t unanimously did not
deceive anybody.
II a fun and fair census OF the real
sentiments Of that convention could have
been made. the return would surprise
those who think that there was no OPP
position TO the follies OF that platform
We have an unalterable faith in the
integrity of purpose Of the people. They
often need information, but having OBJ
tanned the facts. their conclusions are
wise and just. II last fan they had I'M
derctood the free silver business, Bryan
would never have gotten the vote he did.
As light comes, Bryan and free silver will
depart. Light is coming rapidly and the
change Is apparent from day 20 day.
The men who compose the silvcrite De
mocracy are for the most part men Of
sense and character. Many of them IL IS
true have sinncd against the light and
are on that account the greater sinners
and they will never be able to satisfac-
torily explain the weak way in which
they 'laid down in the fight" but as the
great body of the party become onhghton-
ca these ~india-rubbor" men will rebound
and perhaps. in their timid way help the
cause OF sound Democracy.
The only object 10 be obtained by put
ting up straight-out Democratic State
ticket would be either tho hope of elect
Ing men on a real Democratic platform, or
Of continuing the campaign Of education
inaugurated last fail
There S. no possible chance Of olecting
any nominees on a real Democratic plat
form because q majority Of the former
Democratic party arc committed 10 the
Chicago abomination and those who are
Democrats IN fact would not make
combination with Populsts and Repub-
licans.
The campaign Of education will so on
anyhow. 1t cannot be stopped. Every
newspaper. every country store. every
commission merchant viii irrcsistibly
convey Information which will refute the
statements upon which the free silver ad-
vocatos based thesr whole contention. The
falsity the absurdity Of these statements
will become palmer The mind Of the
people VIII work out its own conclusions
ana the Chicago platform viii DO con-
demnod before the greatest OF al Ameri-
can tribunals. the sober second thought
Of the people
As far as the porsonel OF the silverito
tlckc, is concerned II IS irreproachable.
The administration OF tho laws OF Vir-
elnia viii 10 safe IN their hands ard
whore those laws are defective as our
election laws now are. we believe they
viii all use their influence TO correct the
defects Indeed Mr.. Tyler is thoroughly
and heartily committed 70 an honest cleo
lion law.
We would thsrefors deprecate any