The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-15
PARTY POLICY CLEARLY OUT
LINED BY GOV. STONE.


counts of the ten dollar banquet given
! in New York ON Thursday night. The
speeches delivered make no reference
to the Chicago platform, and it is evil
dent that the promoters of that dinner
are the head and front of the organized
movement TO secure a reputation of the
declarations of the Chicago platform and
to put forward men who bolted the party
lin 1896 or who were so silent that their
last friends did not know where they
stood. Mr.. Bryan evidently understood
the far-reaching purpose of the dinner
when he declined the invitation to the
dinner.
Evidences multiply that the men who
either bolted or went abroad i'll 1896
are seeking to regain their forfeited
leadership. The doors of the Demo-
cratic party, like the gates of gospel
grace, ''stand open night and day" and
back slider's as well as converts are sure
of a warm welcome. 1t is not the par
vert or the back-slider the right to give
out the tunes or select the methods of
conducting the meeting ut the very first.
ut is expected that he will conform to
1.-THE programme, and if he should seek Il
complete reversal he would be told ito
fairy at Jericho umil his heard grows.
q
the attitude of the party with reference
TO those who were not in harmony with
the party in 1896 is contained in let
ter written by Ex-Governor. Stone. of
Missouri, to Mr.. Bryan. Under date of
April 10th, he expressed regret that he
could not meet Mr.. Bryan at the Jeffer-
son city banquet, and says:
Il had supposed after the Chicago
convention of 1886 that the position of
the Democratic party on the coinage
question was definitely, and finally set
tied. burt it begins now to look as if we
are to have the old fight over again. The
prospect for this increases from day to
day. That the Gold Democrats, social
ed, are maturing "a purpose to get control
of ldhe next convention becomes daily
mere and more manifest. There is but
one thing for those who supported your
candidacy in 1886 to do, and that is to
meet the issue brayely and resolutely if
II is made. | am sure none of us wonld
ostracise any Democrat, or deny any
man the fullest liberty in affiliating and 4
cooperating with the Democratic party
4 l,,4 - ~. Il l.,
every American citizen who believes in
the policy of the Democratic party, or
who feels That the accession of that par
ty to power would ameliorate the in
dllstriag conditions of the country and
benefit the people, to associate himself 4
with the Democratic party and aid in
promoting its success. But the Demo
cratic party must stand for Democratic
principles and policies The Democratic
party must be Democratic: 1t cannot be
anything else and deserve to live The
panty has always been in favor of hi
mSltalliSm.
There was nothing new in the de-
elaration of 1896. 1t is true that a fix
ed ratio of coinage was never distinctly
proposed in a national platform prior TO
1896. but the party had in convention. in
Congress. through the press and III every
possible way declared itself in favor of
restoring SILVER to the coinage rights
it had previous to the attack made upon
it in 1878. Up to 1892 there was never
amy doubt of what we meant when we
talked of restoring bimetallism we knew
at meant Il restoration of the old ratio.
The Iarity clause in t1e platform OF
1917. which IS a correct proposition
when properly interpreted and under
Jscod, was made the basis of contro-
versy Within the party a. TO the ratio.
That controversy maIe the declaration
as to IA ratio necessary i'll 1896.
THE gold standard men in the con
venfiom of 1896, and those they repre-
sented were opposed to the coinage Of
silver into standard money at any ratio.
Under the leadership of Mr. Cleveland,
Mr.. Carlisle and others they fought
for supremacy in the convention of 1896,
and when thIy were defeated they lm.ac-
fioai1y Withdrew from the convention, at
least refused further to participate in
It's proceedings, and subsequently, as
sembled another convention at Indian
apolis, where they adopted a gold stand
ard platform. pure and simple. These
Mr. Mckinley or General Palmer and
did everything IN their power to defeat
the Democratic PARTY. They went SO
far rs to organize am entirely separate.
distinct and independent party. with a
NATIONAL Committee. State Committees
and with National and State tickets
Now, these gentlemen are giving it forth
that they intend to make an effort to
take control of the next Democratic Ma
t5onal Convention, set aside The Chicago
platform and substitute another. presum-
ably aiong the lines of the indianapolis
platform, upon which Palmer and Buck
MA Were nominated
TO this | ann not only unalterably
opposed, but | stand ready to fight the
Old battle over again if necessary. As
stated before, | have no objection to any
man who voted against us in 1896 re-
turning to the party and cooperating
with it in future. | am ready TO well
come every sincere man who comes to aid
in building up. not to tear down: but if
amy shall come with the intention or pur-
pose OF attacking our party organization,
nf Sptfiur aside our tgur,ty nIs n cirEpS