The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-11
WE ANSWER \ QUERY.

The Charlottesville Progress reproouces
some remarks made Of ours on the subject
OF party harmony and replies In a spirit
Of good temper and Cancellation "hich
IS q credit 10 its good sense and good De-
mocracy. If all Democrats would show
the same spirit we believe that the party
would be reunited and that platform
would be adopted I'm 1900 upon which all
Democrats could comfortably stand. The
Progress in the conclusion of its article
puts the following question 10 The Times:
VIII The Times. in view of the new
light that has dawned upon the Demo
cratic party, and its own assurances OF
change IN sentiment upon the money
question. not join In movement to have
lust such platform framed as VIII meet
its particular views and failing 10 get
all that II wants, unite with all other good
Democrats In support Of such policies ana
such candidates as the majority IN 4sOO
may agree upon?
We reply in general terms that The
Times is in quite as conciliatory mood as
is its Charlottesville contemporary, and
we are willing 10 make any concession
that does not carry with ii a compromise
Of principle. 1t IS distasteful TO The
Times to talk about its political princi-
pies. as II it were disposed to vaunt itself
IN a spirit of Pharasaism. We have no
such spirit. We do not stand upon the
street corners and pray with loud voice
and thank the Lord that we are not as
other newspapers But in order to define
our position It is necessary every now and
then TO talk about party principles and 10
talk about the attitude of The Times to-
wards such principles. The Times as a
newspaper has honestly endeavored TO
walk in its integrity and we cannot
surrender conviction TO party policy. we
believe in party organization. we believe
I'm the rule Of the majority, we believe In
the Democratic party with all our heart
and mind. We are willing TO make any
concession or sacrifice. consistent with
our idea Of duty. I'm order 70 preserve the
integrity Of the Democratic party and TO
make it a power in the land, for we be-
lieve that the existence Of that party
under one name or another, is necessary
TO the existence Of this republic. But we
cannot affiliate with the party upon the
Chicago platform Of 1886. We cannot CON
sclentiously support several Of the planks
of that platform. and If we should attempt
n do so It would be an act of insinccrity
and mockery. II, in order to be men,
Der in good standing in the Democratic
marty. it is necessary to recite the chi
cago platform as our political creed. we
shall he forced to remain on the outside
Of the organization. And what IS true OF
The Times is true Of thousands and thou
sands Of Democrats throughout the length
and breadth Of the United States.
How then shall a compromise be eff
facted2 The answer seems to us 20 he
unite simple. Ignore the Chicago platform
Of 1896 and adopt any other platform OF
The party prior TO that date, and The
Times and others who think as II thinks
will come in and feel at home in the JEFF
fersonian household.
one Of our free silver contemporaries
the other day printed platform as out
lined by Thomas jefferson himself and
commended It TO the Democrats OF the
country. We reproduced that platform
and added TO Il Mr.. Jeferson's own
views as to the coinage question. ana we
said that We would cheerfully accept that
AS the platform Of 1890. We repeat that
proposition to-day. The sound money
Democrats Of the country will, without
an exception. We believe. accept any
Democratic platform from tho days OF
Thomas Jefferson down. save and alone
The platform of 1886