The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-18
THEY OUTLINE
THEIR COURSE.
The National Democratic PartY's
Principles as Enumerated.
ONLY DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
They Contend for the Democracy OF
jefferson. jackson, Tildcn ana
Cleveland - Unrcsersediy Tor
she Gold Standard.
ONLY DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

INDIANAPOLIS oct. I6.-The National
Democratic Committee Issued the Hollow
ing address to-day
$40 the National Democrats Of the
Omitted states: Your National Commit
tee. speaking for the National Democrat
xc party. corgratulates the country on
me emphatic and merited condemnation
A. the polls by the people in 1896. OF the
disbonorable and dangerous doctrines
promulgated by the Chicago platform.
The moral influence exerted by the In
dianapous convention, has amply COM
uensated Tor the efforts made in behalf Of
unasloyed Democratic principles, as held
and taught BY Jefferson. Jackson, Til
den and Cleveland. And to-day. this
nlatform is the rock and firm foun-
dsflon on which alone a Democra. can
rest his political faith. We therefore.
take this opportunity TO reaffirm with
accumulated force. the principles OF our
marty as enunciated at Indianapolis, in
1886.
PROTECTION
I'VE believe that the theory OF So
called protection. which, in It's last analy-
els. involves the spoliation OF the many
Tor the BENEFIT of the few. is dishonest
and that IL directly and inevitably breeds
trusts monopoies, and those special
privileges by which the cunning and I'M
scrupulous prey on their unsuspectlng
aud credulous fellow-citizens. The pro-
tective tax is not only dishonest and OPP
pressive but 1t obstructs that free and
natural interchange Of commodities
which would Increasingly tend 10 lessen
the cost Of the necessities and comforts
Of life to our wage-earning classes.
IL has destroyed our merchant navy.
IL has practically driven our nag from
the seas and has forced us into the hu-
initiating necessity of paying vast and
constant tribute TO other nations Tor
ocean carriage.
we oppose the extension Of this insu-
la system TO any colonies that we have
ACQUIRED. or hereafter may acquire. and
favor as we always have favored, the
widest freedom Of trade 1t Is folly 10
think OF securing foreign markets, unless
we are willing to trade with foreign
countries. Especially do we denounce
the Chicago platform. for it's virtual
abandonment of this great and time-hon-
ored principle.
FREE SILVER.
THE doctrines of free silver is an eX-
tension of the protective princlple' free
coinage is the protection of a few silver
mine owners. at the expense of our labor
ing classes. This policy were 1t adopt
ed would rob the workers OF half their
earnings. and by unsettling values,
would bring about a paralysis Of trade
and commerce and reduce us financially
10 the level OF barbarous and unciyiliZed
nations.
1--WE are unreservedly for the single
gold standard. and oppose international
bjmetalism. so called, as both Impractical
bile and undesirable. We believe that the
theory of one standard, and the selec-
ton OF gold as that standard mas peen
struck off in the mint Of human expert
ence, as the result OF slowly deVei-
oped and beneheent evolution III cNilza-
ton.
More than ever do we believe that
che continued existence OF our National
organization is desirable for the Well
being OF our country. There is no other
party that represents the principles for
which we are proud 10 stand. our WORK
is not comOleted. We are not only
against free silver but we are for sound
money.
"The same causes that induced the
1ndianapolis convention Of 1895 still eN-
ist The financial relief expected OF the
present administration has not been CIV
en-. The recent utterances or no less
than sixteen members Of the Democratic
National Committee. declaring for free
silver. and the denomination of Mr.. Bry-
an. show conclusively that efforts VIII
be made 20 fight the campaign OF 1900
on the free silver issue. ana under inc
old leader As long as the principles OF
the Indianapolis platform remain disre-
earded BY the old parties our duty 10
our country, 10 our party. and TO our
selves. demands that we should continue
orr light against free silver. and keep up
our efforts to secure for this nation. such
financial legislation as shall make us
commercially the strongest nation In the
world.
I'VE protest against the pollution OF
the Democratic party by alliances with
those financial, declarations are at war
with its old and true creed.
with the situation as it exists in
,ore of the various States. we have no
province 20 interfere. me NSuohaI
Denocrats OF each State must solve
theIr local rroblems IN such a way as
may sre,n 10 them most likely to insure
tha triunlnhr o. the prime pies for whicn
fro National organization stands, ana 10
the maintenance of which i Is solemnly
pledged W. seek no Offices, ana wish
Tor no rewar6s. except those that flow
from the consciousness OF duty uohe'
Our PRINCIPLES. tho gold standard. none
tary reform. tariff for revenue only. civil
service reform, rigid economy I'm the adj
ninistratioa OF the government. the
maintenance of law and order, freedom
OF contract. ard the protection OF all
contract rights, must triumph our
representative federal republic is to be
perpetuated. In behalf OF these primer,
oIes we appeal to the sober. settled
Judgment OF the American people. We
should be prepared now. and at all times
70 defend them against assault from any
quarter. 49,.
ct Is our earnest hope that our fellow
Democrats in every nook and corner OF
our land may realize their error IN fol-
,cw,ng the va carries Of the Chicago plat
form. and may unite with us in the advo,
eacy and PRONUNCIATION Of those sound
and fundamental political principles
which will lead 10 ratification of them
by the votes OF the people. ensurins a
truly Democratic victory.
"(Sgned)
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE. OF THE
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY,
BY Geo. Foster Peabody. Chrn.