The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-27
OPENING THEIR EYES.


article from the Page Ya) News, which
80 worthy OF the NOSE serious attention Of
all who love Democracy for Democracy's
sake. who believe that it IS better 10 90
down with colors flying than 20 win "A
temporary victory at the expense Of prin-
cple.
The Page News believe in free silver
and was an earnest advocate OF the cleo
ton Of Hon William J. Bryan upon the
Chicago platform. But our contcmpo-
rary is heartily sick OF coalition with the
free silver Republicans and the Populists
and Is opening its eyes 20 the fact that
the association Of the Democratic party
with an sorts and conditions OF silveuies,
and the subordinatlon OF an other qucs-
lions 20 that of free silver. have been
most demoralizing 10 the organization.
our contemporary says that THE Demo-
cratic party So the same that 1t always
was. and once the currency question is
9isposed OF will return 20 the advocacy
OF those great principles in devotion 10
which il has never faltercd,9 and u re-
scats with q show Of indignation the
claim OF Senator Stewart that Democrats
and Republican agree that protective
tariff is necessary and the The Dinsley
BIN ON the whole is probably as gooo as
any tariff bin which has been passed by
either party
senator stewart" Il goes on, believes
that the Democratic sun rises and sets
in free silver. and he would attempt To-
roorgo every other Democratic principle
into the free silver principle we say
that Senator stewart has good ground
for co believeing. for the latter day ieao-
ors of Democracy hold 10 the same view
ana there is where the party mas il""o
i's fatal hlunder.
The Chicago platform exalted free Sill
yer ana declared that the tariff qnes'i'n
was not 10 be considered until me CUE
rencv question was disposed or More
ovor there were various new tangled
nlonks fan the Chicago platform. put there
Cor tho purpose of catching Popullsis ana
free silver Republicans and ah DINERS
who were i'm favor OF the free coinage OF
euror Since that time senator jones'
Mr. BRYAN. and others Of that schooi
have not ceased TO declare that free 5il-
yer IS the great absorbing issue ana 'n"l
all things else are 10 be subordinated I'D
II. Cold Democrats were on all occasions
snul.bod ana Kissed. while Popuists and
free silver Republicans were coddled ana
couriod The North Carolina people were
told by the leaders that It was their duty
10 ignore gold Democrats who had oppoa-
cd MIR. Bryan I'm 1896, and TO form coali-
lion with Popuists who had supported
him. Oven those who supported Mr.
Rrvon I'm 1sqG. but who were not primarily
I'm favor of free silver, were given the
cold shoulder and it is only little Whlie
since Uarritv or Pennsylvania was kicked
ONT of the National Committee for inc
s,r,rle and sole reason that ne was not
O., accord with the free silver views "
49,. ossoclafos. Indeed .he doors of The
Marty have been closed 90 ON who were
o,,oeod 10 free silver. acd have been
opco 20 am who were I'm favor OF free
snver irroepcctive OF their previous party
omri,tion or their views on other political
questions.
we have time and again pointed out
these things ana warned our Democrats
friends that the great Democratic party
instead of being as 10 used 20 Do a party
Of Jenerqonian principles. had degenorat-
o1 into a one-ideaod faction. whose single
nurpose was 10 open the mints Of this
country TO the free coinage OF silver
We have insisted all along that The
Democratic party could not affiliate with
popullsts ana free silver Republicans ana
stul maintain its dignity and IFS rrinci-
ples That fin order 90 get that vote st
was necessary 10 abandon many of The
cardinal principles of the party and 10
cater 10 the whims OF those whose votes
10 would win.
We are graunod beyond expression mat
M least one Democratic newspaper IN
vreinia has opened its eyes 90 the true
condition of things. and has had the hon
cs,v and candor 10 come ont and sound
tho note of warming We believe that the
views expressed by the Page News are
rairlv representative of the views of the
GREAT body of Virginia Democrats, and
tbe article IS TO as hopeful sign mat
rle time is not distant when the party
will have pureed itself of Populisis and
populism. and have returned TO Its life
long woOrincg.