Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1898-07-20

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NeeSfS- Altgctd, Harrison. and a
nun'n~~ Of other free silver democrats
OF less prominence. held state con.
Nention at Springfield the osher DAY
and adopted a platform. so that the
rank and file uf the party may know
what they are TO believe for the next
TWO years. According to the platform
loyalty 20 the party during that peri
Oh viii consist in adherence to the doe.
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 ico-
cent dollars are owing Go take t4-cent
dollars as equivalent.
This - the doctrine preached by
Bryan two years ago. and the Illinois
democrats are notified that they must
he faithful To- "a or be denounced a.
traitors. But while those democrats
viii 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 indorsc "A
policy which, II put into effect. would
injure every one OF them. II they are
wage-workers the purchasing power OF
their wages would bc reduced. II they
are savings bank depositors :hosc de-
posits would he scaled down nearly 60
per cent. II they are old soldiers their
pensions would be cut down that
much
Honest platform writer's would tell
the plain, simple minded, ignorant
democrats TINT aud then proceed 90
explain 10 them why they and their
fellow citizens who do not belong to
the democratic party. ought 10 bc sub
1ected to such grievous loss. But ns
frankncss and honesty are not the dis
tnguishing traits OF the men who
drafted the platform adopted nt this
convention. no effort was made 20 en-
tighten the democratic masses aS 10
the disastrous consequences OF free
coinagc. 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
destructivencsS, IL is entitled 90 pop.
ular support. II il not remarkable
that the free-siiver democrats should
have recognized Bryan as the leading
exponent of this heresy and pro.
claimed him ms their leader In the cam.
paign ~ 1900.
The platform denounccs govern.
ment by Injunction" Illinois dem.
ocratic conventions will keep on de.
nouncing the righteous decision OF
the supreme court In the Dcbs case as
long az Altgeid runs conventions il
this state. The action Of the suprem,
court. participated an by better demo
Gratis than Altgeld ever was or viii be
has been Endorsed by The people OF
Illinois. Debs. the MARTYR OF 1924
has become nm innocuous creature. "a
the great RELIEF OF the public. and vet
Altgeld. through, his convention. keepi
on grooming about government b,
injunction" and thrusting dead iKsu,
upon the voters
The platform further dcnounees IN,
state civil service law and recommend,
that the question OF it's repeal be sub
united 10 n vote Of the people nj IN,
next general election. This was tc
have been expected from convention
made up OF spoilsmen. A. in the mat
ter OF free coinage. n would have beer
dealing more honestly with the dem
ocratic voters II the platform kerr
had told them why the law should b,
repealed and explained that II wnl
necessary in order 20 enable the spoil,
politicians 10 divide up the Office,
among their retainers and that thi,
was the only reason. But n ever tn,
question Of its repeal should be mad,
an issue tho majority for retaining
the law would be the biggest ever
poiled IN Illinois. Chicago Tribune.