The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-02
THE BLuNDEE Oh 1896.

1t is not long ago that the Populist
organ in North Carolina charged that the
leaders OF the Democratic party were IN
sincere in their advocacy Of free silver
ana other doctrines Of Populism. and that
they had committed tho party TO such
measures only TO get the Populist vote.
The Alabama Fopulists took the same
view, and at their recent state conven-
ton issued an address in which, amons
Other things, they said:
"rhc progress made In forcing the Dem
ocratic party TO accept in part. one OF
It's demands for the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver. the demand Tor an ill.,
come tax, and favorable foundations on
other OF IT'S purposes, arc tributes TO the
correctness Of It's positions but intended
only TO begule and deceive the people.
But let no ono be missed by these com
promises; Tor they arc only the acceptois
OF policies which could not be success
fully combattcd IN this state and pur-
poses which could not be defeated. AZ
though that party had given twelve
years Of i,s labor and efforts 20 prevent
not only these reforms. bot within the
past four years j.. was donouncing the
Peoples party as Anarchists for contend
ing for them.
1.-THE silver Democracy is not only not
IN earnest. but already arranging to COM
promise its position on these questions
with those who have remained stoadlast
and faithful 20 the history and principles
of that party. 60 n middle ground which
would mean nOtlng. but result only lh
disappointment 90 those VINO favor lht-e
purpose. Tho Democratic parry has re-
pudiatcd i Chicago platform i'm Mary
land and New York by ignoring any de-
mand for ihc free and unlimited coinage
OF silver and gold, and also repudiaied
another demand of tnat platform in Viz
rinia. Georgia. Alabama. Arkansas ana
Texas by defeating bills in the respective
legislatures of these Siatcs which pro-
vidfd for the Inhibition of gold clauses
in contracts.
IN no State has Chat party fulfilled any
OF the pledges OF tle Chicago platform
and 10 effort has been made 10 pat the
party ON record in favor Of 80 in Congre
These show Gle insincerty o. lis plcm-
iec. and The certainty Of hs roiusal 10
execute any OF these pledges should chat
pai-v have full power and control Tho
expressions Of joy ana delight by IT'S
members over tie success OF Ianmany
I'm Now York in ITS Reputation OF the
demands Of that party as 70 silver COM
ago indicates IT'S willingness ana readiness
IN return TO its gold standard policy ana
10 co-partnership with the trusts ana
svndicates which rob The people by ther
unjust exactlons
It were hard enough FOR The silver DEM
ocrats TO be charged by iheir late allies
with having surrendered TO Popullsm' but
TO be charged also with having done so
with insincerlty for the purpose OF win
ming votes must be humilating indeed
10 the accused
Surely it was a bad day for Democracy
when the party at Chicago abandoned its
principles 10 oonsort with Populism. lt
was one OF those poutical blunders which
somebody has characterized az little short
OF criminal. and the evil consequences
have followed thick and fast. The great
party lost its fight. lost the respect Of
thousands Of Democrats and. as IS now
evidenced. lost the respect OF the Popu-
lists to whom # catered.
We do not say this. Heaven knows, IN
any spirit OF malice or arrogance. We
simply state the facts. in the love Of
Democracy and in the hope that the
bninder Of 1886 Will not be repeated.
Democracy cannot have commerce with
Popullsm.