The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-30
SUNDAY, APRIL 80, 1899.


II is gratifying 10 us that the tone OF
the Virginia press IS more conservative.
more conciliatory and less intolerant in
the discussion Of national politics, than
II was a year or two ago. Some Of the
followers Of Mr.. Bryan are still as Wild
as ever but the great masses Of Nir-
ginia people are, we believe. beginning 10
ask themselves questions. Some time ago
the Louisa News took to task the editor
of the Manassas Journal for daring to
suggest that Mr.. Bryan was perhaps not
so popular as he had been. The editor OF
the Journal. who supported Mr.. Bryan in
1896. and who says without reservation
that he will support him again in 1909. If
he is regularly nominated by the party,
makes this reply TO the Louisa News:
After all may not Bryan and his plat
form. for they are practically the same
b far as the main issue is concerned. be
mistake Has 1t ever occurred TO friend
53ibb that even he. himself. might be
mistaken May ne not be promulgating
j doctrine fraught with much danger to
the welfare of all when he attempts 10
array one man against another, for no
other reason than because one of them
may he more successful I'm business than
the other? is he absolutely sure that the
possession Of a million by one man is a
sort of civil crime. or at least against
the interests of another man?
For one moment, let us. for arguments
sake. imagine all property, all wealth
equally distributed among all qualified
voters. Just how long would il remain
80? In less than ten days there would
be not few men who would not have
enough to buy breakfast. and IN less
than ten years the News would again %,
assailing millionaires as highhanded Grim
inals. destroying public welfare-unless
OF course, friend BiDb had become one OF
the milliOnaires.
But for the fact that some men have &C
cumulated sufficient capital 10 establish
enterprises II would DE bad indeed. for
a very iarge class Of men. And again
but for the possession Of great wealth
in the hands OF those who are able To
use II IN various enterprises where would
be our progress to-day? Where would
be our colleges and universities, public
libraries, galleries OF art. &c, but for
the endowment funds received?
Might # not be well for Populistic
writers and takers 10 do a little think
ink on this line.
one other point If friend Bib has
gotten far enough ahead to consider tho
question OF defeat under Bryan. pray.
let US ask him. 81 st is party wisdom, or
any other sort Of wisdom, to rush into
defeat?
And one other question. Does friend
Bob assume that the election Of Bryan
would secure the enactment Of silver
legislation and the abolition Of million.
Ilres7
As 10 miiitarism, our readers know |
that not even friend Bibb Is more earnest
iy opposed 10 II than We are.
Finally Brother Gibb. ia there any |
particular offence in any mans seriously |
thinking over a question for himself no |
matter what the greatest talker in mod. |
ern times has said?
Far be It from us 10 advocate the
abandonment Of principle for the sake |
Of expediency. We believe that political |
parties and individuals should stand by |
their principles. whether they succeed or
not. ana We 90 not believe in forsaklng |
principles FOR tho sake OF success. But
what is the great aim and purpose Of
the national Democratic party? Is IT
simply and solely 10 open the minis Of
this country 10 the free coinage Of silver? |
Thinking men are beginning TO ask them.
selves these questions and there are many
IN Virginia just like the editor Of the
Manassas Journal but there has been
no occasion for them 20 make a public
declaration. There was. we confess. from
u certain standpoint. plausible argument
IN 1896 in behalf OF the free coinage OF
silver. Times were hard. money was
scarce. business was duh. wOrkingmen
were out or employment. and the outlook
was truly dark and gloomy. in such
times men are disposed 10 try expert
ments. and many men said in that cam
paign that they were In favor Of expert
menting with free silver. because things
could not be any worse and that the
opponents OF free coinage offered no rem
edy whatever for the hard times The
great majority Of people who voted for
Mr.. Bryan honestly believed that II the
gold standard should be- maintained the
country would 80 from bad to worse. and
that there was no relief except IN opening
the Mats. IL was positively asserted by
aii the stumpers from Mr.. Bryan down