The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-27
IS THIS DEMOCRACY OR POPU-
lISM2
BY a DEMOCRAT.


william Jennings Bryan has such hold
upon the Imagination OF great body Of
Democrats Of the Chicago school. That
Democrat Of the old school, who earnestly
wishes the reformation of the party upon
IT'S old lines and the reunion Of the party.
should not speak his mind about the idol
OF the hour" Out OF Difference 20 the
feelings of his former co-Democrats. asa
"oid liner" should hold his peace, though
IL be pain and grief 10 him
But I'm Mr.. Bryan's speech at the dollar
dinner IN New York We find some SELL
fences rather striking and deserving at
least passing notice. lie says
There were Democrats who left us in
1895. They organized distinct party:
they nominated ticket and perfected
their national organization. but instead
Of calling themselves gold Democrats,
they call themselves National Democrats.
although they did not expect TO carry a
precinct i'm the United States"
The statement that the Democrats who
refused 10 support the Chicago platform
"left us"-that is. Mr.. Bryan ond his fol-
lowers-is not true, for they never We're
OF their political creed. Tho statement
that they organized "a distinct party"
is only true IN so far as their effort to
maintain and preserve Democratic or
ganiKation on Democratic lines may be
regarded rs tho organization Of - dis
tinct party" His complaint that they did
not simply call themselves gold Demo-
crats' instead of National Democrats in
dicates that he thinks that he and his
followers have the right 20 use exclusively
the name Of Democracy as fully as IL he
and they had a copyright Men who
Were Democrats when Mr.. Bryan was IN
d ffrr.
trying ordeal Of reconstruction times and
the dangers that threatened the perpe-
tuiry OF local sclf-gOvernment and home
rule; who I'm the North suffered in mind,
body and estate for their convictions and
in the South suffered tho persecution OF
relentless foe nrod by the passions OF
war-they are told by Mr. Bryan that
because they would not ren0unce their
principles and stihe their convictions and
adopt new and dangerous creeds. they
must abandon the title OK Democrats and
adopt some new name.
He SAYS: "AIl we ask is that those who
come into the Democratic party shall be
a part Of the Democratic party, we
simply insist that a man cannot DO "A
political bicamist. lie cannot be welded
90 the name OF one party and 10 tho
principles of some other party. We simply
ask that he shall get a formal divorce
either from our name or from their prin-
ciplcs.'
so honest or seif-rosnecting man VIII
unite himself with n party unless he BE-
iievea in the tcnets of fhat party. NO
honest or self-respcc man viii pre-
tend 90 oe Democrat Republican. Pop
uHst, eilverte or goldfo, when I'm prin-
cipla and at heart. hc is not Borrowing
fr d.
~ political bieamist' We commend the
sentiments uttered by him. just quoted.
But let ms sec whether BIS teaching ana
practice are I'm harmony. lie has been
calling himself a Democrat all The time
he has been in public life. welded io mo
Ddmocratio party in name. Has he
been true % his plehted faith2
ITO entered Congress In 1891. BY whom
was he elected The P0puiists.
For whom did he vote I'm the Prosi-
Dental eelectlon of l@2? The Populist
electors.
Where were hts sympathies In 1859?
with tho PopuHsts. for DE promised to
canvass Virginia for the Populst nominee
for Governor.
Where were his sympathies I'm the cleo
ton for "a Supreme Court judge in bis
own State In 1898 or 1894? Not with the
Democratic party for by published .et-
ter be declined 20 support a regular DEM
0Cratc nominee.
Where were they I'm 1855 and short
time before the Chicago convention;
Not witt the Democratic party, for I'm
his public speeches he declared he would
not support the next Democratic nominee
for President unless he was a silver man.
Where were they when no was nomi-
mated Dy the Chicago conventions Win
any party and every party that promised
him its support. for Dice accepted the nomi-
nation an Chicago. and then the nomina-
tons of the Populist party and the SILVER
party. the latter composed principally or
Republicans After he was defeated for
President. be accepted the Popu,ist nomi-
nation for United States senator and was
defeated by Thurston Republican.
Now in the light Of this record, 10 "ould
seem that Mr.. Bryans aNusion 10 what
he terms ca political bigami-t' was. IN
deed. unfortunate for him. for DO was
description Of himself Really be might
Boz styled a political polygamist. for he
has welded many parties and but for
lack Of opportunity Doe would have run
the list up as high as the list OK Brigham
Young wives.
Mr.. Bryan declared that Tho Chicago
platform was an "inspirauon.' and that
eft was those who have entrenched
themselves behind abuses u government
that objected 20 that platform IL Is SIM
gular that this gentleman always re-
fers 20 the Chicago platform Ia sent
religious strain and draws his comDlri-
sons from sacred and holy things. We
suppose he means by use of tho term Elm
spiratiOn" n supernatural influence which
was present in the convention operating
upon the delegates. and that this same
influence brought forth his ''cr0wn OF
thOrns and cross Of gold' figure Of speech
when he was making preparations at his
quiet western home to enter the con-
vent.0n by storm and sway the passions
OF the inspired delegates. We sup
pose. too. that HIS recent reference 90 the
Lords supper IN connection with a Dem
ocrauc banquet, was also an "inspira-
ton.' If other evidence had been Lack
ing % satisfy the country that this gen
tIeman is an enthusiast an unwise c0un-
sellor, an unsteady and unsafe leader.
his late intcmperance with tongue and
pen would DE sufficient The conscrva-
tive. thinking people OF the country
without regard 10 party lines are fast
coming 20 the conclusion that a steadler
hand must hold the reins and a safer head
direct the destinles Of this great govern
ment.
only those objected TO the Chicago
platform who have entrenched them
selves behind abuses Of government"
says Mr. Bryan. is this the expression
of a deliberate cautious. prudent and
careful mani Are the millions who op-
pose the Chicago platform "entrenched
behind the abuses Of government?