The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-08-25

their readers that the silver question
was dead. When the platform was
adopted many of the leading
Democratic newspapers bolted the
| ticket and assured their leaders that
the platform was an anarchistic declara-
ton emanating from the forces of law
lessness and disorder.
I'm the heat of the campaign there
was no opportunity to counteract this
prejudice. During the three years
which have elapsed since the election of
Republican president events have in
structed the people in spite of the gold
newspapers.
The people have seen the president
sending a commission to Europe to
to secure relief from the gold standard,
and they have seen the administration
helpless to relieve the country of the
gold standard, because English finan-
ciers opposed bimetalism.
They have seen the American finan-
ciers plan to make all contracts payable
IN gold and to retire the greenbacks.
ORGANIZATION OF TRUSTS.
They have seen trusts organized
with greater rapidity than ever before,
and that. too, under the very eyes of an
encouragement selected from New
Jersey. the hot bed of trusts.
They have seen the national admin
lstration embark upon a war of
conquest and adventure in violation of
the principles set forth in the declara-
ton of independence.
In 1896 the Republican party posed as
the conservative element of the country.
But it has become apparent
IN the past three years that the Demo-
cratic party is really the conservative
party.
1T stands for Industrial independence
and the overthrow of the trusts. which
are the fault of our over grown corpor-
ate power.
1t stands for homogeneous republic
as against a heterogeneous empire.
Ihe business men of the east were
arrayed against US in 1896 Every man
engaged in legitimate business who is
not simply speCulator or stock gam
bier will find it to his interest to favor
the double standard which will give
d suthclent volume Of legal tendermone
to form the basis for a safe CONNER
cial system.
lie VIII find it to his interest to as
sist in the overthrow of the trusts
which are driving the small business
men out of business.
He will find it to his interest IN on
pose policy of imperialism, with its
accompanying militarism. The man
engaged in legitimate business will find
large army an expensive luxury. He
Will also find that a colonial policy he
sides endangering the doctrine Of self
government at home will involve the
nation in frequent foreign complications
and disturbed business conditions.
NOT GOOD BUSINESS.
The Republican party promised the
business men of the country a business
administration conducted on business
principles, and run in the interest of
business men, but it furnished an ad-
mlnlstration which has put the dol
lar above the man, and has sacrificed
the interests of small property owners
10 the demands Of the great corporations
1t IS aggregated wealth againstthe plain
people whether they are engaged on
the farm, in the workshop or in the
store"
But how do you suppose a gold
democrat can return to the party?"
The door is as wide open and If is
as large as it was when the gold Demo-
Gratis went out.
Some will come back because thev
have been converted to Chicago plat
form principles; others will come back
because of the new issues. All that is
asked Of those returning is that thew
Shall remove their pistols from their
hip pockets before entering the door.
Men support a platform as q whole.
often dissenting from particular parts
10 large majority of the party the
platform will be entirely good: to some
1t VIII be better on the whole than the
republican platform. In battle those
are on our side who are aiming at the
enemy.
Just now the Democratic party is
resisting policy ruinous to legitimate
business. We are exchanging the cer-
talnty of peaceful progress, prosperitv
ana continued development along Iegf-
innate and reasonable lines, for the mn
certainties of policy of spoiIation and
adventure l believe that liberty. in
diVldual, civil and religious, is the
crowning idea of civilization, and for
this section to turn back to the Euro
pean idea Of force and conquest is to
reverse the bible phrase and make the
immortal put on mortality"