The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-05
FRIDAY. AUGUST B. 1888.
THEFARCEOFOUR ESTABLISHED
IDEAS

IDEAS.
The Democratic Convention OF Texas
which met on Wednesday last, declared
its opinion upon almost every question
which IS now or has been discussed in
the past few years. and st made GU
rious mixture Of democratic and undemo-
cratic doctrine. 10 den0unces the Repub-
lican party for passing the Dingley BILL
which. Of course, IS good orthodox De-
mocracy, though by no means novel or
startling announcement 10 denounces
the revenue bill recently passed by Con-
gress as Republican measure that con-
tains irregularities Of burdens and ex-
emptions. the inequalities being presum-
ably such as will favor Republicans to
the disadvantage Of Democrats. though
we are at a loss TO know how such
result would be reached. 1t congratu-
lates the country upon its soldiers and
sailors, which IS certainly American,
though we are unable 10 say that 10 is
any more Democratic than Republican
it declares that the Texas Democracy
will support the President I'm conducting
the war. which is certainly good De-
mocracy 1t declares for a generous
support Of the American navy, which IS
certainly good Democracy. 1T favors the
construction and control of the Mica
raguan canal by tho United States,
which Is good sense, whether good De-
mocracy or not. and, while taking mode
rate and conservative ground iu respect
to Cuba and Porto Rico. opposes the
annexation OF the Philippine Islands,
which is certainly Democracy Of the very
best and purest kind.
The platform then tells ms that the war
has obscured the money question, and, if
it had stopped there. The Democrats OF
the country might have congratulated
themselves that Texas Democrats at
least. were beginning TO learn something
OF the present state and condition of the
world But. alas Sc ala not stop there.
II went on 20 declare against any in
crease in the standing army and for
william j. Bryan as the Democratic
nominee I'm 1890. though why these two
Items should have been put into the same
clause Is not very apparent and then
proceeds to endorse every part OF thc
platform adopted by the Democratic Ma
iional Convention at Chicago in 1885,
Now, Il a moro complete mixture q
the good and tho bad--of Democracy
Populsm and what not--can be found
than this we are at q loss TO know
where to find it,
Texas is an immense State. She could
harbOr France and Spain and stiu find
room for visitors. and her interests are
almost exclusively agricultural She has
growing cities it is true but, compared
to her imperial domain Of agricultural
country, her cities are like pebbles upon
a seashore OF sand. The Chicago plat
form. at the instiigation OF Governor
ANeeld. declared that the mobs OF the
cities should be free from the restraining
hand Of the law when they were SEEKING
20 coerce the great corporations into
concedine demands upon them made by
their employees. That is the simple and
plain truth about the plank as TO gov
ernment by injunction" and that sort OF
eupheuism imposes upon Lo one what
ever. The American people knew per-
fecily well that was what was meant.
How can st by any possibility be for the
Interests OF an agricultural people 90 en-
courage lawlessness or defiance of au-
fhorlty? II there IS anything on earth
which a farmer wants fl is a general
understanding that the law IS 10 be re-
spected and obeyed and that no violations
Of II are TO be- tolerated He lives TO
himself. with no police force a. hand 20
give him protection, and his security
comes from general reverence for law.
In the community that has that rever-
cnee ne and his property ere perfectly
secure. But. IN a community that has
lost It's reverence for Law. neither he nor
his property has any security. The
farmer therefore. S the last man in the
world TO inculcate a spirit OF contempt
for law. Yet here We ind this COnven-
ton Of agriculturallsts giving their
heartiest commentator 10 proposition
that aims at breaking down all law and
encouraging the rule OF the high law.
Everybody knows. OF course. that the
great book at ths representatives in the