The sun., 1897-06-06
Kentucky's Call to Arms.

The platform adopted by the Democratic
State Convention of Kentucky makes these
declarations of the political faith which
now animates the regular organization Of
the Democratic party:
"Resolred That we hereby reafnrm our faith in the
principles set forth and enunciated in the platform
adopted by the Democratic party in the National Com
vention held at Chicago In July. 1885, the platform
of the Democracy OF Kentucky.
"Secondly-That the principles adopted and forth
IN that platform the true principles Of Democratic
faith and urge upon true Democrats stand by
them at all times and under all circumstances and
conditions.
..Thirdly-we indorsa the canv ass made by William
J. Bryan nominee OF the party for tho
Presidency in the last election. We commend Its
wisdom approve 1t Just and fair all parties and
all interests Of our common country. We recognize
in him the fearless orator and statesman and the
great champion Of the peoples rights against tho
money power. the monopoists, the syndicates. and
trusts. We pledge the support of the united Democ
racy In our State"
That is Straightforward. and so far it is
commendable. All Democratic platforms
should make declaration equally positive
and explicit, 80 that no Democrat, no citi.
zen, need be in any doubt as to what they
call ON him to vote for. Those platforms
must either reaffirm the platform adopted
last year at Chicago or denounce and re-
pudiate it in precise and emphatic terms.
Amy attempt to evade the issue there made,
to ignore it, will be simply q cowardly
device, which will only ALLEVIATE and exas-
perate its earnest supporters, who, un-
doubtedly, include the great bulk of the
old Democratic party, and will not con-
ciliate nor deceive the honest and true
Democrats to whom the spurious and per-
yerted Democracy of the Chicago Conven-
tion is utterly abhorrent. Both sides de-
mand, and they will demand with increas-
ing urgency, that the issue shall be made
square, clear, and unmistakable.
We have said that the outspokenness of
the Kentucky Convention Is creditable. 1t
Is creditabfe because it expresses frankly
and boldly the actual sentiment of the
Democratic organization in that State, its
inspiring purpose and its real conviction.
1t will 20 into the State campaign under
its true colors, and will fight the battle
with the declared intention of using the
victory it will strive to win for the further.
ance of the cause of Organism in the ma
tional campaign of 1900. That Is to be
the general engagement for which all the
intervening elections will be preliminary
demonstrations, to consolidate aud dis
cipline the forces.
Obviously the same tactics must be
adopted by the Chicago Democracy every
where. They must keep the issue made by
them last year alive and always to the
front, in order to retain their hold on the
machinery of the Democratic party; and
being old and tried and skilful politicians.
with everything at stake on that issue,
they will increasingly thrust it forward and
force the fighting on 1t.
That is the political situation which ali
Democrats must face. They cannot shove
1t aside and cannot ignore it. They must
take their places on one side or the other
They must either consent to help along the
political and social revolution, or they
must array themselves against 1t openly
and defantly. 1t is the only issue now be-
fore the people Of this republic, and 1t will
remain the sole issue until it has been set
tied and disposed of.
/ Dismissing all other political aims, the
true Democracy, therefore, must expend
their whole strength In rescuing the Demo-