The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-08

York sun. which as We have before re-
marked. seems good enough to feel sort
of personal responsibility for The Times,
prints the following editorial article:
The Richmond Times, which never
ceases its efforts to coax its party away
from the Chicago platform. is now trying
TO substitute opposition 20 expansion FOR
free silver IL asserts. with convenient
forgetfulnes of the history of the Demo
cratic party. that Imperialism Is simply
a new phase Of Repubicanism, ana de-
cls,res that III is the mission of the De-
mocracy to-day as It was In the begin
ming, 10 resist the aggressions OF TINS Ola
and persistent enemy Of popular govern
ment," and so forth. Wherefore 'the
Democratic party must adopt platform
broad enough for all true Democrats TO
stand upon"
II imperialism IS simply a phase OF Re>
publicanism, the Democratic party has q
good many Republicans in II already
What for instance. does the Richmond
Times propose 10 do with those two dla-
tinguished Southern Democratic eXpan-
sionists. the Hon. John Tyler Morgan and
General Joe Wheeler? They are impe-
rfalists as Thomas jefferson was an i'm
perialist ana as the Democratic party was
an imperialist While the number OF
Democrats who viii not accept the Chi
cago platform is comparatively small ana
Is vislbly growing smaller, the number
Of Democrats who believe in expansion
and are not small-minGed enough 10 OPP
pose A simply because most Republicans
believe I'm H. is large and growing larger
The rolicv Of the Richmond Times would
divide instead Of uniting the Democratic
party.
Moreover. II free silver Supported by
almost an tho Democratic party. Is a
hopeless cause what is ant-eXpanslon'
which even many of its own supporters
see TO be an important struggle against
the will of the people? Not only many
straight Democrats. but also fuSonists
like Senator Teller ri the Silver Repubh-
cans. ana Senator Allen, OF the F0pulists,
are impcrlaliste The Richmond Times
IS trying TO pull the Democratic party out
of the hole by pulling IT ipto deeper
one.
We cannot accept our brilliant contem-
porary's guidance seeing that the Sun
has cut loose from Democracy and join
ed itself TO the Republican party adopt
ing not only tho Republican policy of I'M
perialism. but all other principles and
policies Of that party. The sun was for
merly an able and enthusiastic supporter
OF Democracy ao NANNHAtNNN ~ '''~'~'N-
]. Tglden. and in those days any deliv-
erance Of the Sun on the subject of De
mocracy was entitled to the rcGpect and
consideration Of the party. Bus now that
the Sun has foresworn Democracy alto
gether ana poses as one Of the leading
Republican journals Of the country We
cannot regard it ia the light of a safe
guide for Democrats TO follow. We can
not believe that the sun is really DESTROYS
OF seeing the Democratic party reunited
and an advice that &c may offer on that
score Is to be accepted with many grains
of allowance.
II IS different with The Times. We
refused to support the Chicago ticket
not because We had any leaning towards
Republicanism. but because We were as
unwilnrs TO be led away from the true
principles OF Democracy by the Chicago
party as by the Republican party We
stand to-day where We have always stood
and We oppose free silvcrism and impe-
ria1sm and all such policies as being III
conflict with the great fundamental priu-
ciples OF Democracy. II matters not that
there are as the Sun says men in tho
Democratic party, who are IN favor OF
Imperialism. no more than * matters that
there arc some men in the Democratic
party who are IN favor OF Populism. These
facts do not alter the greater fact that
Democracy Is living principle and ex-
lists regardless of the antics of heretics
within the party organization.
We are not disturbed by the statement
which the sun makes and which others
OF its school are making that Thomas
Jefferson was an "imperialist." Mr.. JEFF
ferson was in favor Of the acquisition OF
territory on this SIDE OF the Atlantic in
order that we might prevent compl.ca-
tons IN the United States with foreign
powers. But that he OF Washington was
in favor OF the acquisition Of foreign ter
ritory which would involve US in the
mazes of what is known as European
diplomacy * proposition too absurd 10
be seriously debated.
We commend tho SUM- however for
SIS candor in meeting this question face
20 face and In calling It by It's proper
name. some Of the more tlmtd have re-