The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-07-23
ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS
Still Under the Deiusion That Bryan-
ism II the only True
Doctrine.

Messrs. Altgeld, Harrison. and .
number OF other free silver democrats
OF less prominence, held a state con-
vention at Springfield the other day
and adopted a platform, so that the
rank and file of the party may know
what they are TO believe for the next
two years. According TO the platform
loyalty to the party during that peri
cd will consist ia adherence TO the doc
trine that congress ought to change
the money standard. so that the dol
lar may have purchasing power of
only about "A cents instead of 100 cents,
and that by retroactive legislation con-
gress should compel those TO whom 100
cent dollars are owing to take 44-cent
dollars as equivalent.
This is the doctrine preached by
Bryan two years ago, and the Illinois
democrats are notified that they must
| be faithful 10 il or be denounced as
traitors. But while those democrats
will be expected TO obey the orders OF
! the convention and hurrah for free
coinage, the platform fails TO set forth
any reason why they should indorse
policy which, II put into effect, would
injure every one of them. IL they are
wage-workers the purchasing power OF
their wages would be reduced. III they
are savings bank depositors those de-
posts would be scaled down nearly 60
per cent. III they are old soldiers their
pensions would be cut down that
much.
Honest platform writer's would tell
the plain. simpleminded, ignorant
democrats that and then proceed To
explain to them why they and their
fellow citizens who do not belong to
the democratic party, ought TO be sub
iected TO such grievous loss. But as
frankness and honesty are not the dis
tinguishing traits OF the men who
drafted the platform adopted at this
convention, no effort was made to en-
tighten the democratic masses rs TO
the disastrous consequences of free
coinage, and TO argue with them and
show why in spite OF those conse-
quences they should vote for demo-
cratic candidates. Nor will one OF
those candidates or one OF the party
stumpcrs or papers reveal TO the
voters the "true inwardness" OF free
coinage. and give some reason why.
Notwithstanding its immortality and
destructiveness, il is entitled to pop
: ular support 1t Is not remarkable
that the frce-silver democrats should
have recognized Bryan as the leading
exponent of this heresy and pro-
claimed him rs their leader in the cam
paign a. 1900.
The platform denounccs govern
ment by Injunction Illinois dem
ocrntic conventions will keep on de-
nouncing the righteous decision OF
the supreme court in the Debs case rs
long as Altgeld runs conventions in
this state. The action OF the supreme
court. participated in by better demo.
Gratis than Altgcld ever was or will be
has been Endorsed by the people OF
Illinois. Debs, the "martyr" OF 1894
has become an innocuous creature, tC
j.. the great relief Of the public. and We
/ Altgeld. through his convention, keeps
. on grooming about government b,
. Injunction" and thrusting a dead issue
: upon the voters.
! The platform further denounces thu
, state civil service law ana recommend
that the question OF its repeal be sub
I mitted 10 n vote Of the people at TIL
: next general election. This was q
have been expected from convention
: made up OF spolsmcn. As in the mat
r ter OF free coinage. IL would have beci
e dealing more honestly with the dem
! ocratic voters IL the plntform-maker
h had told them why the law should b
1 repealed and explained that Ii wa
i necessary in order TO enable the spoil
politicians 10 divide up the Office
g among their rctancrs and that thi
r was the only reason. But IL ever tn
3 question OF its repeal should be mad
q an issue the majority for rctainin
r the law would be the biggest eve
@ pollcd in Illinois.--Chicago Tribune.