The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-24
4 REVIEW or RECENT DEMOCRATIC
HISTORY.


The Sound Money Democrats OF Ten
nessee have issued an address which Is
not only the embodiment Of Democratic
principle, but is a forceful recitation Of
recent political events that led up to the
formation Of the National Democratic
party.
After a brief introduction the address
says:
when those who controlled the Chicago
convention adopted its platform and APP
pointed a National Executive Committee
which at once proceeded TO secure Tor
their candidate the endorsement OF the
Populsts and Free-Silyer Republicans
Democrats who were in sympathy with
the then existing Democratic administra-
ton were stunned as with a blow. They
believed the party had taken q step when,
II not recalled, would be fatal TO its use
fulness. They believed IL had at time OF
great business depression, in the heat or
the moment, more in passion than In rea-
son, departed from its time-h0nored prin-
ciples and traditions in the pursuit Of
policy which, if successful, would be fatal
10 it and the prosperity of the country.
"The adoption of the Chicago platform,
and tho nomination Of Mr.. Bryan, was so
unexpected that Democrats believing IN
sound money were unprepared TO face
catastrophe so great. They were not pre-
pared to confront q situation 50 grave as
that presented when the Chicago con-
vention declared that the United States
should. I'm defiance Of the enlightened
Judgment Of mankind, adopt the free and
unlimited coinage of silver al the ratio
of Is TO /, independently OF an other ma
lions. when the ratio at that time was
30 10 I, and silver was steadily and con-
tinuously declining and further declared
that this question thus presented was
paramount in Importance TO all others.
"They were not prepared TO see any con-
vention calling itself Democratic drop
from its platform the doctrine tariff for
revenue only and refuse TO endorse the
Democratic President who had been elect
ed as a tariff rcformer and who had kept
faith with those who believed in that doc
trine.
They were not prepared TO see such
convention condemn the peaceful and hui
name policy Of a Democratic President I'm
invoking the agency Of the courts to re-
strain rioters from ohstructing interstate
commerce and the Transmission OF the
malls and enforcing the orders Of the
courts by the use OF Federal troops, the
only instruments at his command.
Finally, they were not prepared TO see
such a convention nominate candidate
for the Presidency who was recognized
and claimed by the Populists as one OF
them, and who openly affiliated with
them
Under these circumstances. Democrats
everywhere, who believe in the principles
Of true Democracy. refused to ind0rse the
Chicago platform or 10 support the can
ddates there nominated a convention or
these was called 20 meet at Indianapolis,
and adopted the name OF tho National
Democratic party and a platform strictly
in harmony with Democratic principles
and traditions and nominated for Presi-
dent. John NJ Palmer. distinguished
Union soldier ana for Nice-President ST.
mon b. Buckner a distinguished COnfed-
crate soldier ticket which under any
other circumstances would have stirred
the patriotism alike OF the North and
South.
The danger 20 De averted was go great
that Il was impossible TO arrest the tide
which had set in for Mckinley. Hundreds
of thousands Of Democrats, who never I'm
their lives had scratched a Democratic
ticket and who heartily dsapproved pro-
lection and disavOwed any sympathy with
Republican principles. voted the straight
Republican ticket with them IL was any
port in a storm.
I'm the election Of Mckinley they saw, It
Is true. the loss OF all the Democratic
party had accomplished I'm twenty-five
wears I'm the struggle for tariff reform. but
they also saw order, stability, the rcstO-
ration OF confidence I'm the country, the
end of panic confusion and business de-
preston growing out OF the threatened
instability OF the currency. on the other
hand. a great many Democrats who did
not believe the election OF Mr.. Bryan pos
sible. remained with the organization, and
voted for him for The sake OF regularity.
They believed that Mr.. Bryan would be
defeated. and then when confidence was
restored the party. under better councils.
would reconsider the platform adopted
az Chicago.
In this way did the Presidential cam
paicn OF 1896. the most extraordinary in
our history. proceed in confusion, els
order and excitement TO tho end.
SO much for the historical facts which
cannot be disputed.
As for the result the address goes on
10 say that Mckinley was elected by the
largest popular majority ever given 20
any candidate for the Presidency. except
that given Grant In 1872. and that 1t is a
singular coincidence that the greatest dis
asters which ever befell the Democratic
party occurred when IL abandoned its
time honored leadcrs-at one time when
it nominated Greeley, Republican. and