The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-05
The Democratic Party.

The "gold Democrats" so called, but
more particularly the Mugwumps, are dis
tressed because the Democratic party. as
represented in both houses Of Congress,
continues firm and %outspoken in it's allie
glance to the Chicago platform. They
lament that ~Tammany's policy of silence in
the late election regarding that declaration
of Democratic doctrine is not followed by
the national leaders Of the party.
1t is creditable to the Democrats in Con-
gress. however, that they make known to
the country frankly the political faith that
is in them and as a matter Of tactics their
course is directed by political necessity.
Whether it will or no, the Democratic
party will be tried by the standard of the
Chicago platform until that political creed
is repudiated squarely and emphatically.
Any attempt on its part to juggle with
its view of the currency question or to
hide 1t away under a heap of meaning.
less or equivocal phrases would make still
more certain the defeat Of its aspirations
for the control of Congress in 1893 and of
the Presidency in 1000. The issue is of
too momentous consequence to be evaded
by the artful hedging of political gamblers.
It must be set before the American people
by each side, clearly and positively. The
Democratic party must take the one side
without any attempt at evasion, and the
Republican party must oppose it no less
emphatically.
The Democratic party in 1896 owed the
Populists more than one million of it's vote
of over 100000, which was about a mil
lion more than the vote it obtained in 1892.
n na--Is. -Atn- .ttII a,,o. ,rstl tha
Democracy, but they cannot be retained in
the election in 1893 and in 1000 if there be
any appearance of a retreat from the
essential principles of the Chicago plat
form, undertaken with n view of concili-
ating the "gold Democrats" without Of
Tending the sincere and earnest Bryanites.
That trick cannot be played on a ma
tional scale, however well it may have
worked in our municipal election under
the manipulation of Tammany. Moreover,
here Mr.. CROKER was assisted in making
1t successful by the Citizens Union move
ment, which was organized and pushed
with the special view Of shelving national
Issues. That wild movement made inev-
table the Democratic triumph of January.
The term "gold Democrat" moreover,
Is a misnomer. Ifa mar is for gold he is not
a Democrat. for he Is opposed to the present
distinguishing principle and policy of the
Democratic party. The Chicago platform
is the authoritative standard of doctrine
of the party, and since the election of 1896
IL has been reafirmed as essential Democ.
racy by the platforms of Democratic con.
ventions in almost every State, and it has
been rejected and repudiated in none.
NIL 1901 I@I- - tI- - Al
South, the West, and even in New Eng
land and the other States of the East are
ardently devoted to it. Judge PARKER
could not have been nominated for the
Court of Appeals in this State, and he
could not have been elected, ever with the
assistance of the Low distraction, II he had
not voted for BRYAN In 1896; and the
same was true of Mayor VAN WICK. If Mr..
CROKER should venture to r~epudiate the
Chicago platform now, he would be driven
from the party and Indignantly spurned by
the great body of the Democracy through
out this State and the Union.
The Democratic leaders at Washington,
knowing that their only chance of main.
tanning the solidity of the Democratic
ranks is to declare and manifest their stead
fast adhesion to the Chicago platform, have
put themselves conspicuously on record
accordingly. Except on that issue few
Democrats could possibly be returned next
November to Congress.
As we have said, the Democratic party is
compelled to take this positive stand as a
matter of political expediency, but it is
morally commendable, also, and is desirable
forth country. Our national prosperity re,
quires that the issgashould be met squarely
and decided finally by the vote of the PEG,
pie. The tricks by which the s~o.called
gold Democrats" would have eyaded II
were distinctly immoral and dangerous,
The real and genuine Democracy have al
least the merit of candor, courage, convic
ton, and consistency, and inspired by sucl
spirit they can conduct a campaign Of ami