The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-06-02
FOR DEMOCRATS TO CONSIDER.

TIE discussion which The Times has
been having with some of its free silver
CONTEMPORARIES in Virginia with view
TO arriving at some plan through which
the two wings of the Democratic party
may be reunited appears to be bearing
fruit The stanton Spectator has been
one of the most extreme Of the free silver
papers i'm Virginia, and yet we find the
following in its editorial columns of cur
rent issue:
The Richmond Times in reply 10 "a
question from the Spectator. declares
with much emphasis that it will support
William j. Bryan for the Presidency
provided the next national convention
adopts The Democratic platform OF l8'2
upon which the Democracy won such q
glorious victory. As that platform held
10 the use of both gold and silver as
money without discriminating against
either metal, and as Mr.. Bryan win not
coustrue it as did MIR. Cleveland, We
believe the party can be reunited ON
that platform with few other additional
planks treating new issues
I'm the same connection the Charlottes-
vile Progress of Tuesday says that it
still believes in bimetallism. but that
conditions have materially changed since
the campaign OF 1896 and it is now %
opinion that IL is to the interest of the
masses as well as Of the Democratic
party. TO make the fight on different
lines from those pursued in the last
national campaign 10 goes on TO say
that if the Democrats are right IN beliey-
ing that the gold standard materially re-
tards prosperity and that the present
revival of business in certain quarters
has come. i'm spite Of It's retention, the
party can we'll afford TO wait for the
vindication Of its theory rather than en-
danger the success Of more urgent de-
mands by putting prominently to the
front principles upon which The party
is divided and TO the support Of which
the Progress does not believe it possible
at this time to rally the forces Of 1896.
III the Democrats are 10 succeed in 1900"
it concludes, ut will be upon a platform
that secures the active. enthusiastic sup
port of a united party and TO this end
we desire to see harmony and conserva-
tism the leading features of the next
convention"
This is. indeed. encouraging and shows
what desirable results deliberate discus
sion in good temper may being to pass.
tpon the platform of 1892 all true Demo
c~ats may comfortably stand. and we
see no sufficient reason why the party
may not be reunited upon that PLATFORM
nut while these esteemed contempora-
ries In Virginia are talking about adopt
inc the platform Of 1892. Mr. Altgeid is
irving to pursuade the party TO go bow
shot beyond the platform Of 1896 and de-
clare for government ownership OF trans
nortatlon lines telegraph and telephone
lines. and an monopies controlled hy
trusts In all sincerity we ask the Staun-
TON Spectator. the Charlottesville Pro-
gress and AN other Democratic news
papers I'm Virginia If they gre ready to
follow the Al.gcld lead. The party has
reached "a crisis and It must be decided In
very short order as to whether 1t win pur-
she the course outlined by the Charlotte
Vile Progress or follow Sir. Ahgcld into
Socialism. II s. question which every
Virginia Democrat must seriously con-
slider for himself