The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-21
TIE OLD AND THE NEW DE-
MOtRACN


vorsary OF Thomas jefferson. definitions
have been given here and there as 10
what constitutes true Jenersonian De
mocracv. and comparisons have been m
sutntod between those who stahu upon
IN. declarations OF the Chicago platform
ana tboso Whose principles are forrnu-
lated and expressed In the platform
fadopied by the National Democratic party
AZ INDIANAPOLIS on September 3. 1896. The
free silver Democrats claim that New
! Democracv" was born at the Chicago
| convention. ard that the platform adopt
| cd then and there is the embodiment OF
| Democratic principles and policies. Ii
was indeed New Democracy which was
| then created. and since that time strange
doctrines have been taught 10y those who
claim to represent Thomas Jefferson.
/ But with singular Inconsistency these
politicians while asserting that they rep
| resent a new Democracy. reformed De
| mocracy. vet have the boldncss at the
same time TO contend that they also rep
resent the only true and genuine De-
| mocracy as delivered 10 the saints by
! Thomas jefferson. That those who stand
upon The indianapolis platform arc "ren-
egades and traitors" and represent De
mocracy that is spurious.
But Dot us inquire into the facts. lei MS
look for a moment al this p'a,form upon
which the sound money Democrats stand.
let as put the glass upon the doctrines
which that platform teaches and which
these men represent. and examine them
I'm the light of Jcnersonianism. Accord
! ing TO the indianapolis platform the Dem
/ ocratic party SIS pledged 70 equal and
exact justice 10 ali men of every creed
| and condition: 10 the largest freedom of
| the individual consistent with good gov
eminent. 10 the preservation of the Fed
eral government I'm iis constitutional
vigor. and the support of the states i'm
all their just rights. to economy In public
expenditures. 10 the maintenance of the
| public faith and sound money. and it is
opposed to paternalsm and an class lesis-
laton."
Does any Democrat find fault with that
] 'fI.Nl lIlF. - iti 10 iAfN ltt'f ii'tNN''
/ there one single assertion here that is
/ contrary TO the teachings Of Mr.. Jeffer-
/ son? Contrast with this the declarations
| of the Chicago platform. attacking indi-
4 vidual freedom. the right of private con-
! tract. the independence Of the judiciary
and the authority of the President 10 en-
/ force Federal laws Contrast also the
/ proposition of the Chicago Democracy
! 10 increase the price OF silver by leeisa-
/ ton. which was i'm fact proposition TO
depreciate and debase our monetary
standard. And consider also the propo-
stion now advanced by leading repre-
/ sentatiyes of the Chicago Democracy for
! the government To set aside each year
sum of money TO be used i'm purchas-
ing railroads and telegraph lines and
other great business enterprises. I'm
{ agine jefferson as "a Socialist!
The Chicago platform practically aban-
dous the tariff question. side tracks it
with the declaration that nothing is to
! be done for tariff reform until the money
/ question has been settled. The India
napolis platform comes out with q plain,
bold declaration for tariff for revenue
( only. denouncing Mckinley protection
/ and denouncing the Chicago straddle.
In further defining its financial policy
it declares that gold is the necessary
money of the large affairs Of commerce
ana business while silver is adapted 10
the minor transactions ana mat the
most beneficial use OF both together can
be insured only by the adoption Of the
former as a standard of monetary meas
urc and the maintenance Of silver at
parity with gold by IT'S limited coinage
under suitable safeguards of law. This
is biinetallsm and the only possible BIZ
metalhsm. To carry out the policy of the
Chicago Democracy were to put this
country upon Il silver basis. TO create
monometalusm. and the experience OF
every country which has made the ex-
pertinent proves this TO De true.
The Indianapolis platform also de-
mauds that ala who labor for nveli-
hood shall be paid in the safest and best
currency known to the world. The
costly patch work system of national
paper currency" IS denounced and de-
maud made Tor such intelligent currency
reform ass Will oontne the government to
its legitimate functions AMI AFFORD 70 all
sections Of the country a uniform, safe
ana elastic bank currency under gov
errmentm supervision measured iE vol
ume by the needs of business.
la conclusion lt is declared that "the
Democratic party has ever maintained
and viii ever maintain the supremacy OF
Jaw and independence OF It's judicial adj
nsnistrauou. the inyiolabniy Of con.
tract and the obligations of AN good
citizens to resist every Illegal trust. COM
bination or attempt against the just
rights Of property and the good order
of society in which are bound up the
peace and happiness of our people"
such in brief is the indianapolis plat
form. and We submit that no more con-
else declaration OF true Democratic prin-
ciples Was ever formulated We entirely
agree with MIR. William j. Bryan in the
statement that between the men who
stand upon that platform and the men
who stand upon the Chicago platform
there can be no harmony so long as each
side IS sincere I'm the doctrines which II