The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-08-27
For the Chicago Platform.

the German movement to carry the
party in Maryland back to the old
goldbug camp, have formed Com
mittee of 1876" with representatives
in every county of the State. The
"96" Committee has published a
constitution and bylaws, and on
Monday night, August 10th, issued
the following address from head
quarters in Baltimore to the voters
of the State:
TO THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS OF
MARYLAND.
We, as Democrats, hold the fol-
lowing truths to be self evident:
First-That the Chicago platform
of 1896 contains the true and
authoritative expression of the
principles of the Democratic party.
Second-That no man, or conven.
ton of men, claiming to be demo-
cratic, of less authority than reg
ularly constituted National Conven-
ton, has power to modify, enlarge
or evade that platform for any pur
pose whatever.
Third-That the said platform,
as the authoritative expression Of
democratic principle, is binding on
all democrats and establishes the
full measure and test of their indi-
vidual democracy, and no democrat
is required to give allegiance to or
support candidates on any other
platform.
We therefore declare and main.
tain that the platform adopted by
the State Convention held at Ford's
Opera House July %, 1897, is not
entitled to the allegiance and sup
port of the democrats of Maryland.
This platform repudiates the
principles of government enun-
ciated in the Chicago platform.
Shall we likewise do this, or shall
we not rather press right on in the
course marked out for us in the
National Convention and see to it
that no one with our assistance shall
be entrusted with power to nulify
its DEGREES? Convinced as we are
of the truth and soundness of our
position, let us be true to our
convictions.
We may lose the spoils, but no
party can live on spoils alone. 1t
must have principles; and in so far
as these are just and true and enter
into its practical life, so will be its
strength, energy, greatness and
prosperity; and, on the other hand,
in so far as they are false and vic
ious, or are not made rule of con-
duct, will be its weakness, vacilla-
ton and tendency to decay.
On behalf of the democratic
voters of Maryland who, from prin-
ciple and conviction, fought the
battle against plutocracy and trusts
in 1896 under the leadership of
William j. Bryan, the democratic
Committee of So" reaffirms the
platform adopted by the Democrat
ic National Convention at Chicago,
and declares for freedom of speech,
freedom of press, freedom of con-
science, the preservation of personal
rights, equality ofall citizens before
the law, the faithful observance of
constitutional limitations, the rights
of the States against the encroach-
ment of Federal power, the protec-
ton of the 'common people"
against robbery by high tariffs and
the single gold standard, the perfect
equality of our money metals by
their free and unlimited coinage at
the just ratio of Is to 1 without the
aid or consent of any other nation,
against the suhjugation of the
working people by injunction, and
demands the regulation by law,
and, if necessary, the destruction of
odious trusts and monopolies.
On these principles we stand,
and, as democrats, are compelled to
stand.
An organization, State wide in
its membership, has been formed to
devise and adopt the proper pol
icies to be pursued in the present
campaign for the preservation and
propagation of these principles of
the party. We have no faith in
the present leadership of the party
in Maryland. This organization
has no threats to utter, but believes
that failure on the part of party
leaders and candidates to abide by
these principles in the coming cam
paign will result in democratic
defeat at the ballot box.
All citizens indorsing this dec
laration of principles and desiring
to affiliate with us in their main
tenance will communicate with this
Committee by addressing Lock Box
65l, Baltimore, Md.