The Portland daily press., 1898-06-24

ity," for the past fourteen months, and
who disgusted with the broken promises
and unfulalled party pledges, may desire
TO become members of the Democratic
household.
And have not a shadow of doubt that
the call includes every man who is a
Democrat. but who, perhaps. in moments
of disappointment or alteration, may
have in the past. by word and deed, given
aid and political power to the enemy, but
who now approaching the mistake, is de-
sirous of again taking his place in the
councils and ranks of the Democracy and
keeping step to the music of united
party.
1t Should always be remembered that
the call to convention is not the party
platform. 1t is simply notice to the
mem bers of the party and to those who
wish to act with it. to meet and formu-
late principles for the guidance of the
call the committee must be guided by the
principles OF the party already estab-
lished, by custom and by their own judg-
ment in suggesting new issues for the
consideration Of the convention, as the
time and occasion demand.
The coming campaign involves both
state and national issues and in making
Inc call 1t was necessary to recognize this.
The state issues were enumerated in de.
tail, as they were to be formulated by the
convention. The national issues had al
ready been stated at the last national con-
Vention. Under the circumstances, then
what simpler, or more customary way of
making call, than by saying, all who
believe in the principles of the party as
enpnciated in It's last national platform
and who believe in certain enumerated
state issues, are invited to join with the
party in choosing delegates to the con-
vention.
But It may DO said that all Democrats
are not 10 accord with the principles
en- unoiated IN our last national platform.
mat is doubtless true. but the commit
views OF members Of the party any more
than they are for the platform to which
they object. Yet the committee have no
right TO change or ignore the platform nor
assume to call convention Of the party
upon a set Of principles laid down by
themselves. Their work is largely cleri-
c ca IN the matter. So much in justiflca-
Your second inquiry brings up again
tne old party contention in our last state
ana national campaign, viz. must
Democrat necessarily believe and endorse
everything in the national platform of
1880, 20 De member Of good standing in
his party?
10 my mind the time has come when
IT should be possible, for men claiming TO
pe Democrats, but who were estranged in
one party contests Of 1896, to dispassion-
ateAy consider the actual issues and see if
one supposed differences of two years ago,
IN the light OF subsequent events are ire
copcllable. loo many Democrats in that
campaign allowed their political oppon-
enes 10 state what our platform was and
sslloWeo: IL was the politically blind
deslgnediy leading the Internationally
ollnd, in too many cases,
Ii tne principles of the party, dis stated
Ia the platform of 1895, are to be q stumb-
mig Dlook to the harmonious and united
ac1lon OF the Democrats of this state, in
ene coming campaign, let us calmly and
canoloiy consider why it is so. The first
step 10 that desirable end is to ascertain
Mna1 Is 1alr statement and interpreta-
LION {1 Oh the Chicago PLATFORM SO called.
this should be possible now, since time
should nave softened the prejudices dis
the Misunderstanding
ana bitterness OF two years ago.
!; regard the following as fair, impair
tiai statement of the principles. enuuciat-
ed IN that platform, stripped of the argu-
frills and verbiage and shorn
of its why's and wherefores:
l. 1t favored freedom of speech, free
press: civil and religious liberty, the
faithful observance of constitutional limit
a6lon, opposition TO Capitalization of gov,
ernmentaI power, local self government,
ana states rights.
2. Ii denounced the extrayagances of
republican congresses, which made high
taxes a necessity and demanded a return
10 Democratic simplicity and economy in
publ1c affairs and reduction of useless
.. 1t recommended continuous and
permanent psi system of improvements for
Eli important waterways.
4. 1t demanded stricter control of rail- |