The times., 1899-07-28
FRIDAY, JULY 2S, 1899.
As TO the Platform.

We note Win interest Dul Win buTpTlSe
that Democrats continue TO ask the Hon.
William Jennings Bryan, as he moves up
and down and ecross in the land, II. in
his opinion, the next Democratic national
convention will eliminate any of the planks
CT otherwise modify the Chicago platform.
Our surprise is based on the well-known
fact that Mr. Bryan is an honest man who
means what he says and says what h
thinks. and that he has so often declared.
. through the press and from the stump, that
there viii be no modification of the Chicago
platform II his wishes prevail; that men OF
all sorts and conditions ought to so thor
oughly understand his position by this time
as 10 render further questioning of him
boresosne if not actually insulting.
But we observe that the same old ques-
tIons were poked at Mr.. Bryan in the in
telligent capital OF Indiana. where sons
frst-rate newspapers are published and
where Il Is assumed the people keep
abreast of the times. We could not blame
Mr.. BRYAN il he should have placard
printed in big, black type and pin this
upon the Lapel of his coat. proclaiming, so
that all who run may read: mo; l am not
in favor of plank or splinter being taken
from the Chicago platform" But even
then there would be some simpietons who
would insist upon violating good manners
by twisting themselves into an interroga-
tion mark and hurting themselves ruth
lessIy into Mr.. Bryan's face. We suppos-,
therefore. that he can hope for no RELIEF
from this annoyance, since it obviously has
become fixed national habit to ask him the
question.
We are certain, however, that the Demo-
cratic energy lost in superhuous question
ing of Mr. Bryan could be expended with
more beneficial results to the party or
could be stored for future expenditure with
a certainty OF better returns. The habit
indicates an anxiety and an uncertainty on
points of party policy that is incomprehen-
sible. Every Democrat who, like Mr.
Bryan, has authority TO speak for the party.
has declared repeatedly and sent it through
every means of PRONUNCIATION that there is
to be not a hairs breadth of waver from
the principles enunciated in 1896 This dec
laration has been clothed in language SO
plain that its meaning its portent should
If there were strong disposition amone
any considerable number of the six and
half million voters who cast their ballot
for the principles of the Chicago plat
form three years ago-and four-ffths
of those so voting were Democrats-
10 change word, a phrase, or
clause in that instrument in 1900, the force
OF circumstances well understood would
prevent accomplishment OF l..at purpose.
The Republicans are certain to come out
squarely for the gold standard. They are
going to depend upon holding the bimet-
aliists Of the party in the ranks by making
a mighty quibble over the word standard.
They are going to try to make II appear
that their party is still the party OF bimet-
aliisrl, but that as in all doubie-money
systems there must be standard" they
have adopted gold and the Democrats have
adopted silver. They will indulge in much
denunciation of 1s to 1, in support of their
specious argument; but this sort OF flap
doodle viii not fool anybody who does not
want to be fooled. Every Republican who
Is not monometaIlist or who is not mort
gagged to Hannaisn will refuse TO be feu
on such twaddle and will. perforce. be
driven into the Democratic party. whatever
may be his individual view on the detail
of the ratio. That Is. all such Republicans
will be driven into the Democratic fold as
the only shelter from monometallism, but
if there be props and stays which are un-
American they will skeedaddle away and
may huddle to themselves. preferring 10
cast an honest American ballot and lose
than TO give their support to an organiza.
tion which Is too timid OF too short sighted
TO live up 10 its history.
SO let us stop asking one another what is
10 be done with the Chicago platform, and
get down to the serious work of strength
ening that instrument by equlpping it with
the proper planks on some of the new and
vital issues now developing. The Chicago
platform is all right. but some of its sup
porters are not.