The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-14
TOO MANY PRINCIPLES.


Senator Drummond, in an open letter to
the Democratic party few days ago. had
very much to say of Democratic principles
There may be such. Indeed, there is reason
to believe there are several sets Of beliefs
and allegations labeled Democratic princi-
pies which are chiefly remarkable for their
contradictions. Like the patent medicine,
each variety is the original Jacob Town
send sarsaparilla with his name blown in
the glass. The other day the Michigan
Democrats held convention and issued a
batch of Democratic principles. They were
the free and independent coinage of silver
and the other declarations in the Bryan
convention. Just before that meeting the
Democratic leaders held a meeting in Wis
consin, in which there was some differ
ence Of opinion. but most of them agreed
with the late chairman Of the state COM
mittee. Mr.. Wall, that it would be a fatal
blunder to make another campaign on the
l6-to-1 platform. More emphatically, the
Democratic leaders in Iowa, a few weeks
ago. denounced the free coinage of silver
as vicious proposition. y few weeks ago
1t was announced that the most potential
Democratic leader in New York, Mr.
Croker. would give a notable feast on the
anniversary Of the birth of jefferson, to
which Democrats from every State would
be invited that there might be a confer
ence Of leaders. In a short time those who
began to inquire about the matter found
that Colonel Bryan was not to be invited
because he would interrupt the flow of har-
mony by making a silver speech. 1t has
since been given out that another distin-
guished Democrat would not be invited be-
cause he would make a speech against ex-
pansion, which Tammany's boss favors.
But suppose the Tammany chieftain had
called to his banquet two or three of the
best-known Democrats in every State, and
each Of these leaders should be called upon
to give his version Of Democratic princi-
ples-what would have followed? A con-
fusion of opinions that would have been
mistaken for the confusion of speech at
the tower of Babel Suppose the host should
lead off in such speaking. beginning: THE
free and unlimited coinage of silver is a.
dead issue because 1t is a heresy." Before
he could have spoken half his sentence half
of his guests, forgetful Of the proprietles of
the occasion, would be on their feet in an
instant shouting that the unlimited coinage
of silver at the old ratio is the most impor-
tant Of all Democratic principles. If then
and there il should be determined to settle
that particular Democratic principle before
the breaking up OF the assembly the MORN
ing OF an arctic winters night would find
them yet in dispute. If this assembly of
notable Democrats should pass over the
silver contention for time and take up
what is called the subject of expansion
calling upon Henry Watterson to read one
Of his editorials as the Democratic views
upon that subject, again there would be
commotion. The New York Journal and sew
eral other party organs would indorse Mr..
Watterson, while the most of them would
join in the chorus Of protest. Even on this
important topic the leaders could not agree
The pressing problem for the Democratic
party is the getting rid OF several conflict
ing heresies which each possessor calls
Democratic principles. What a godsend it
would be for the old party if it could ex-
change its conglomeration of conflicting
principles for small quantity Of genuine
principle!