The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-09-09
THE CHICAGO PLATFORM.
Democrats VIII Keep Up the Fight
Against PlufocrRcy and
Corruption.

The idea has been advanced that by
pairing with the republicans in ques-
tions arising out of the war" demo-
Gratis can then change the subject and
talk of something else. The absurdity
of expecting democrats to pair with re-
publicans on issues involving the dec
laration of independence and the deca-
logue is self-evident. The plutocracy
which now controls the republican
party is radically opposed, even in
peace, to the Ten Commandments and
to the principle that all just govern
ment rests on the consent of the gov
ernad. And still more radically is 1t OPP
posed to them in all issues involved in
the use of the war power. Plutocratic
republicanism stands for the greatest
possible coercion in the exercise of gov
ernmental powers. Democracy stands
for the least possible. Democrats be-
lieve in resort to force only at the
last extremity, and then only TO pre-
vent oppression. William j. Bryan de-
fined democratic principle admirably
when he said, at Omaha:
until the right has triumphed in
every land, and love reigns in every
heart, government must. as last re-
sort, appeal TO force. AS long as the OPP
pressor is deaf to the voice of reason,
so long must the citizen accustom his
shoulder to the musket and his hand to
the saber."
Plutocratic republicanism involves
force, not as "a last resort" but imme-
diately whenever fraud fails to accom-
plish its purposes of oppression. Be-
tween these ideas there can be no pair
ing" and no compromise. They are in
opposition to each other so radically
that their conflict from the beginning
of civilization until now has bathed
the world in the blood of the martyrs
of liberty who have died rejoicing to
be able to die in behalf of the glorious
truth that the best possible govern
ment depends on the least possible
force. That is the fundamental truth
of democracy. The man who abjures
1t, abjures democracy with it. He OPP
poses himself to liberty, to good gov
eminent, to the possibilities of prog
ress. He also abjures common sense.
The republican party has only one
hope of holding the country, and that
lies in keeping war issues" at the
front and in so sustaining the war ex-
element as.to prevent plutocratic cor
ruption and oppression of being ex-
posed. The day before the war was de-
clared, the democratic party and Its
populist and silver republican allies
had probably not less than a three
fourths majority of the congressional
districts. They have now so many as
democrats can carry by the most ag
gressive opposition to plutocracy at
all points, whether in civil or in mill
tary affairs. And since plutocracy is
most dangerous when in control of the
military power, it need. especially to
be opposed at that point if democracy
is to win.
Such leaders as Mr.. Bryan, Mr.
Bland, Hon. J. K. Jones, chairman of
the democratic national committee,
and Mr.. Altgeld. of Illinois, have
thought on this subject with calm dis
interestedness and have spoken on it
with due sobriety.
The power of the principles of the
Chicago platform is greater than that
of money or of armies. The democ-
racy they represent is the great inspir-
ing force which moves men forward
giving them heart for self-sacrifice and
courage for self-devotion. With that
power lmpelling them, with that
strength animating them, democrats
will move to the attack on plutocracy,
never stopping until they are in pos
session of its intrenchments.