The age-herald., 1897-08-08
He Expresses His Opinion on.
 Finances and Trusts,
OF THE CHICAGO PLATFORM
Some of the Alabama Senator's Views as Ex- pressed In Letter to a Birmingham
 Friend Nothing About Hawaii.

his views on the financial question, and dealing particularly with trusts and the new tariff law, to Hon. John W. Tomlin- son, of this city.
 It is on the same lines as the article which Senator Morgan contributed to the Age-Herald last Sunday. It is pointed and interesting. Senator Morgan's views are always read with interest by Ala bamians.' ms.
 His letter is as follows: ?, q [.
 Senate Chamber
 Washing ton, D. C., July 20, 1897. Hon. John W. Tomlinson.
 My Dear Sir-In the pressure of bus7 ness, during the recent extra session of congress, I could not find the time to explain to you in reply to your letter, requesting a letter from. me to be l'ead at the Jefferson day banquet at B.rming- ham, my views of the duty of the de- mocracy, with reference to the Chicago platform of 1896 as requested by you.
 I have not found in that declaration of principles anything that conflicts with my views of proper government, or with the well settled creed of the dsmocratic party It is fault of all party plat forms adopted in recent years. that they are loaded down with matters that are not, really, pertinent to the vital ques- tions on which the people are, at the time divided in opinion. Such dec.ara-
 
 the true prfncipAas of government, as to such matters, and state the proper at- titude of the democracy, are not required by any actual public necessity existing at the time, and would be more advan- tageously left for consideration at a fu- ture time, when they are of immediate importance.
 It is neither wise nor safe for a politi- cal convention to anticipate questions and issues that are not urgent, with view of declaring a general scheme of political economy. i1A
 Questions that are not radical Tn their effect upon the course of our national policy, and some questions that are vi- tally important, are sometimes merged in greater questions that public exigen- cteS force to the front, such as war, or foreign complications, short crops of food supply on the visitations of epi- denies. Such events often cast under foot our wiseSt plans for general con- trol of the powers of government through declarations and pledges of national par ty conventions.
 They should restrain their ambitious efforts to rule the republic by party plat forms, in deference to the higher wisdom of the people as it may be expressed through their chosen representatives from time to time, in actual legislation.
 Correct principles of government are very important as instructions to the representatives of the people in con gress and in the executive departments, but the proper time and method of ap- plying those principles must, after all, be left to the judgment of the people when tha occasions may arise for their application.
 I think the Chicago platform covered more ground ahan was necessary at the time, and gave unnecessary prominence to some questions that were not, pres- entity in sight and may never become of practical importance. It was impru- dent, in this respect, but it was sound in every declaration, according to my un- derstanding of the creed of the demo- cratic party Three vital questions were then b-fore the country for deei-- sion. as follows: The question whether silver shall lose its constitutional recog- milton as a money metal was first and most important. Then the question whether the taxing power of the federal government should be farmed out to certain favored classes, and to crimi- nal combinations called trusts" This is second in importance, only because the continued pressure of injustice will soon provoke a suffering and free peo- pleto get rid of it. And the third ques- ton. in the grade of importance, Is that its constitutional limitations as to for eign affairs, and as to treaty making, and as to demanding of it the assertion of the just prestige of the United States among the nations of the earth.
 The results of the presidential and congressional elections in 1896 require the firm renewal of our declarations on these subjects, which are still of supreme importance, and should leave us to con centrate our energies upon the issues they present
 The taxing power has been abused in the Dingley bill to the utmost degree of injustice. and has been made the direct ms ens of fostering the bounty fled trusts.
 The Chicago platform is still the bed rock foundation from which every true democrat will attack that "bll of abom- nations"
 The republican party, with the assist ance of the democracy, have sent out commission to search for neutral ground on which silver and gold can be made to agree to a cessation of hostiltjes. The search will be in vain, because there is no hostility between gold and silver, ex- cept as it is cree ted by mercenary legis- lation. There is competition between them, a s there is between wheat, corn and oats and cotton. flax and wool, as to all of which meaning gold and silver. dis eliminating Legislation would be a sin against Divine Providence. When the explorers have returned. empty handed, the conflict for just legislation, according to the old democratic creed as 1t was from the beginning, is now. and ever will bs, will be renewed, and no true democrat will be found deserting the old standard that was erected by Washington in the coinage laws of 1792 was upheld by Jack son in 1887, and has always been support ed by the great leaders of the party. As to our foreign affairs, events never at hand, may remove them from the arena of party discussion. At the outer boun- da1feS of the United States, al internal disputations ceaes, as duty of patriot ism. without do4rlg injustice to motives of the present chief executive, or his pre- decessor. 1t must be accepted as bef,lr true that thsdr apathetfc policy in resrect of the war In Cuba is earnestly disap- proved and deplored by the great body of