The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-09
The Gold Democrats.

II is noted that in those states where
the Gold Democrats put separate tickets
in the field the Gold Democratic vote was
light. This does not indicate that the
sound money Democrats are any less
sincere In their advocacy OF an honest
dollar than they were last year, or than
they will be at any time when national
Issues are at stake. Except in national
campaign, when their influence, however
small may be felt, 1t is hard 10 get men
to go to the polls when there ts no pros
pect Of success,
That the gold element Of the Demo-
cracy Is large was evident from the great
influence 1t had on the presidential cleo
ton. Thousands OF these men who stood
by real Democratic principles last year
believe that the silver question will not
again come up in a presidential year, but
should 1t come up they will be found pre-
clsely where they were last year.
But there are other things in the Chi
cago platform to which these Democrats
were as strongly opposed rs they were
10 the free silver clause, and It must be-
remembered that even though many
Bryanites have become less enthusiastic
on the question of free coinage, those
other Objectionable features still stand
az un-Democratic as ever, and just as
offensive to themen who refused to follow
their brethren IN their surrender to Pop,
ulism. This fact raises a question in
volving phase of the position of the
National or Gold Democrats which is
suggested by the Chicago Tlmes-Herali
In the following apt comment:
Take the money plank out OF the Chi
cage platform of last year, and Is there
in what remains any of those principles
once cherished as Democratic by the Ma
tlonal Democracy? Is 1t not In the every
essential the very opposite Of what De-
nocracy has always been? Does 1t In
any respect reflect the opinions OF the
men who led the National Democracy
iast Year, Most assuredly not. 1t con-
dennis the bond Issues Of the Cleveland
administration that were essential FOR
the support of the government credit II
opposes a national banking currency and
would substitute for 1t legal tender notes
issued by the government. 1t condemns
the supreme curt for its decision on the
Income tax. and proposes to reconstruct
II so as to reverse that decision. II de-
Dounces the interference of the federal
mower. as exercised by President Cleve-
land In the Dehs instruction, and 1t ex-
prsssly attacks the OWL service law! All
these were further supplemented by Mr..
Bryan and Mr.. Altgeld when they sought
to array and lnflame class against class,
the poor against the rich, the workman
against his employer and the people
against corporations.
Our Chicago contemporary points out
that these things will continue to be the
principles of the populistc- Democratic
party under the leadership of the men
who are now at It's head, with the addi-
ton probably of other and more danger
Gus doctrines, and asks II such men as
Carlisle, and Cleveland, and Eclsles. and
watterson, and all the others who stood
by traditional Democracy and the coun-
try's honor can stand on such a plat
form? where then viii they go'" asks
the Times Herald. Where else than to
the support of that administration they
helped to place in power, pledged to the
maintenance Of the national honor. the
national judiciary and the protection q
the r.ghte OF all? .