The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-06-24

ing now 70 set the DeWotrauc N"ti'l"'
| Convention to dodge the whole question
IN order 20 give them a pretext for sup
| porting is ticket. They are towards; the
| Others are not liable go the same charge.
As 10 the Republican party. II IS very
unwise II IL does not prefer 20 hg"t
/ cowardly evasion than 10 battle against
! courageous conviction.
And thus does the sun Continue 20 cod
/ die tho free silver Democrats and attempt
10 rally them. Democrats will do we'll TO
I make "a note Of HIS The sun is not apt
! 10 give the Democratic party winning adj
vice. 10 says that the Republican party
prefers 90 fight cowardly evasion rather
I than 20 battle against courageous con-
/ viction. The sun means by this 20 say
that the financial plank OF the platform
OF 1872 was a "cowardly evasion while
the financial plank Of the platform OF
1896 was courageous conviction" But
the Democrats Will do well to remember
/ that their candidate for the Presidency
upon tho platform Of 1892 was elected
while their candidate for the Presidency
upon the platform Of 1896 was defeated
/ Naturally the Republican party and the
Sun would prefer 10 fight the battle OF
1896 over again. for they know fun well
/ that I'm such a contest they would win.
We shall not handy opithets with the
Sun. we have something better to do
We remark. however, in reply to the
/ charge against the gold Democrats Of
cowardico that there never was a holder
and more STRAIGHTFORWARD declaration
/ than the Indianapolis platform upon which
/ the gold Democrats stood in 1896. tt was
| the Republican party that showed cow
ardice That party did not meet the hnan-
clal question in courageous and manly
way. Il did not declare for the gold
standard but lodged the whole question
behind meaningless declaration about
international bimetalnsm which de-
ceivel many. Yet the sun then said
noting about "cowardly evasion" The
/ gold Democrats. on the other hand came
out boldly and unequivocauy for the gold
standard They have never attempted TO
dodge and they are not lodging now. For
our part we would love to see the Demo
/ cratic party plant itself squarely upon
/ the indianapolis platform But as that
cannot be The Times has belen honestly
[ endoavoring i'm good tempered discussion
with several Of it's Democratic coutom-
poraries to arrive at some fair adjustment
Of differences that shall preserve party
[ harmony without compromise Of principle.
/ The Times had asserted that It was will
ing. n the interest Of harmony, to accept
any Democratic platform that had been
adopted previously TO the Chicago Con-
T vention Of 1896. In the course Of the dis
/ cuss.on The Times was asked by one
Of the most pronounced free silver papers
in Virginia 81. I'm case the platform Of
1892 should be re-adopted in 1900 with ar.
/ Bryan as its nominee St would give Nr.
Bryan its support. TO that question The
/ Times prom Juy replied that if Mr. Bryan
were nominated upon that platform and
would promise to stand thereon in an sin-
certify. The Times would cheerfully and
cordially support him for the Presidency
II that De "cowardly evasion" make the
most OF &c. u that Doe "cowardly evasion.
then a number OF the most pronounced
free silver papers in Virginia are equally
guilty with The Times. for they have exc
pressed themselves as being willing TO
accept the platform OF 1892 m lieu of the
platform of 1896 The sun intimates that
The Times IS anxious to affiliate with the
Democratic party. I'm one sense that is
true. The Times is a Democratic news
/ paper. and believes with all its might in
true Democratic principles. as it is OPP
posed to the creed OF Republicanism. The
Times believes that the very existence
Of this republic depends upon the mainte-
nance Of Democratic principles as pro-
nounced Toy Thomas Jefferson. and MS cy-
emplned and defended since his day by
the party which he founded The Times
believes that the Democratic party is
tho only thing that stands between Soc
clalism on the one hand and monarchy on
the other hand. The Times believes that
the Democratic party is the only party
chat represents popular government
American Independence and manhood suf-
fraee. We desire. above an things TO see
the Democratic party preserved in hs
integrity. and Il would DE indeed day
of rejoicing I'm our household if we could
see the party reunited and rehablitated in
1900 with its old-umo banners waving
with Cts mighty Democratic hosts armed
with Jonersonian principles, and arrayed