Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-03
Platform Candidate.
0Charlottesviile Progress)

i'HHllDlAf-Nllit Ilb-itfS.l
Two questions just now agltate the
minds OF those who are looking forward
10 Democratic success I'm the National
election TO be held next year Firs,,
should the party rcafIrm the platform
Of 1896; or should It modify that platform
or adopt one made entirely. OF new
planks? And. second. should Mr.. Bryan
or some other Democrat be nominated
FOR the Presidency
As 10 the platform: 50 take that OF
1896 without notifications would be tan
tamOunt TO "a declaration that the great
question which are discussed I'm Presi-
dental campaigns have not. since the
last election, assumed any new phases
and that no new issues have developed
Such declaration I'm the face OF all that
has happened since the Inauguration Of
the Mckinley administration would be
ridiculous. To construct "a platform Of
material entirely new would be equiya-
lent 10 an announcement that IN the
judgement Of a National convention,
representing the Democratic masses OF
this country. the great ISSUES for wrich
they contended in the last Presidential
election have not only been settled. but
settled in a way satisfactory 10 them.
This announcement would be impossible I'm
view of the dissatisfaction OF very
large majority of the Democrats OF the
country with the financial and monetary
conditions which exist now and have cX-
listed for many years. IL is safe 10 say
that the old platform will not be reaffirm'
ed. nor will an entirely new ont be adopt
cd. Instead Of either Of these courses. a
middle one will be pursued. The essential
and vital features Of the declaration Of
principles made I'm 1896 will form part
of the platform of 1900. and the new issues
that have ariseu-and they are among the
gravcst that confront us-wih receive
proper treatment. I'm our opinion one
issue that was regarded as settled-the
tarin-wil be put forward with more in
sistance; trusts will be dealt with as an
evil threatening the safety OF our institu-
tiOns. and tho Introduction OF imperialism
as a force I'm our Government ana the
cffecting Of expansion as manifestation
Of this now force are recent questions OF
such vast significance that they cannot be
passed overi Whalevot diredion dis
cussion Of the coming platform may take
I'm the end. it will almost necessarily re-
suit i'm a compromise Of this description.
1t will be easier for the party 10 20
wrong in the selection Of a candidate
than I'm the framing Of a platform.
Some wise men, and earnest ones. are
saving that Mr.. Bryan must not be
made the candidate Of 1900. Many rea-
sons are given. but none Of them so FAR
as our observation goes. is convincing.
Senator Daniel. in his letter 10 the New
York World. says ne can see in the re-
cent election no encourage ment Tor DEM
ocrats. We have already pointed TO rc3-
sons for believing that their lesson should
not be taken as one Of discouragement
for Democrats. in Kentucky psIatt'
conditions existed. so far ne the guber-
Material vote was concerned. The leg
lative vote. which involved the election
OF United Staes Senator and ln mat
sense took on a color Of national politics !
divided strictly on party lines, ana the
Republicans were ov'rWhe lmed. In ONO !
Tho combined auti-R publican ticket !
showed a majority Of 1900 against the |
straight Republican ticket In other !
words. the true blue Republicans were
that much I'm the minority. Ihat may De |
a black eve for Bryan, and q |
decoration for Mckinley. but GER |
tainly there is room for thinking |
differently. IN the other states that went |
Republican, there was nothing TO make !
this result peculiar or significant ON the |
other hand I'm Nebraska the fight was |
distinctly ON national issues. and the |
Democrat. Bryan. in q Republican state
won q notable triumph over the EeYub-
lican administration I'm Maryland. the |
part-- won a famous victory. So We say [
that the wise men must have somo occult
reason for seeing in these elections a /
reason for disbursement and warm
ing % abandon Mr. Bryan. As far as the
election of next year is concerned It's re-
suit is of course. I'm doubt. The Democra-
tic party may Doe defeated with Bryan MS
candidate. II will certainly suffer thls
fate II hc is shelved for some other person
40 other man i'm the party has the same
large personal following. and many of
these followers would resent his forcible
retirement 10 the extent OF refusing 10
vote for the candidate who displaced him.
The nomination of some other leader can
be justified only 10y the moral certainty
that he can not only hold Mr. Bryan's
strength but add TO itWhere is the man?