Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-04
NEW YORK SUN DESERTS
THE GOLD DEMOCRATS.
New York Sun

New York Sun.
The gold Democrats so-called,
but more particularly the MugWumps'
are distressed because the Democratic
party, as represented in both Houses
of Congress, continues firm and out
spoken in its allegiance to the Chicago
platform. They lament that Tam
manys 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
Congress, however, that they make
known to the country frankly the po-
litical faith that is in them; and as a
matter of tactics their course is direct
ed by political necessity. Whether IL
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 it away under heap of mean
ingless or equivocal phrases would
make still more certain the defeat OF
its aspirations for the control Of Con-
gress in 1898 and of the Presidency in
1900. The issue is of too momentOus
consequence to be evaded by the artful
hedging of political gamblers. 1t 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,
hn ~ eft
it no less emphatically.
The Democratic party in 1896 owed
the Populists more than one million
of its vote of over $500 600, which was
about a million more than the vote 1t
obtained in 1892 These Populist vot
ers still remain with the Democracy,
but they cannot be retained in the
election in 1898 and in 1900 If there
be any appearance of retreat from
the essential principles of the Chicago
platform, undertaken with view OF
conciliating the gold Democrats
without offending the sincere and earn
est Bryanites. That trick cannot be
played on national scale, however
we'll it may have worked in our munlc-
ipal election under the manipulation
of Tammany Moreover, here Mr..
Croker was assisted in making it sue
cessful by the Citizens Union move
ment, which was organized and push
ed with the special view of shelving
national issue. That wild movement
made inevitable the Democratic tri-
umph of January. The term gold
Democrat" moreover, is misnomer.
If man is for gold he is not Demo-
crat, 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 it has been reaffirmed
as essential Democracy by the plat
forms Of Democratic conventions in
almost every State, and it has been
rejected and repudiated in none. The
great body Of the Democracy at the
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 nominal
ed for the Court of Appeals in this
State. and he could not have been
elected, even with the assistance OF
the Low distraction. if he had not
voted for BRYAN in 1896, and the same
was true Of Mayor Van Wyck. If Mr..
Croker should venture TO repudiate the
Chicago platform now. he would be
driven from the party and Indignantly
spurned by the great body OF the De-
mocracy throughout this Safe and the
union.
The Democratic leaders at Washing
ton. knowing that their only chance of
maintaining the solidity of the Demo-
cratic ranks is to declare and mani
fest their steadfast adhesion to the
Chicago platform, have put themselves
cOnspicuously on record accordingly.
Except on that issue few Democrats
could possibly be returned next No
yember to Congress.
AS we have said, the Democratic
party is compelled to take this positive
stand as a matter OF political eXpedi
ency, but it is morally commendable,
also. and is desirable for the country.
Our national prosperity requires that
the issue should be met squarely and
decided finally by the vote of the peo-
pie. The tricks by which the so-called
gold Democrat" would have evaded
it were distinctly immoral and dan
gerous. The real and genuine Democ-
racv have at least the merit of eandor,
courage, conviction. and consistency.
and inspired by such spirit they can
conduct a campaign of animation;
without it their contest would be life
less and would go by default.
The campaign of 1896 was only a
skirmish compared to the general en-
gagement which is to be fought out on
the same great issue between the Re
publican and the Democratic parties