Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-26
SAME PLATFORM: SAME LEADER.


At the celebration of Washington's
birthday Wednesday last in Washing
ton City, Hon. William j. Bryan, of
Nebraska, was the guest of honor.
Several distinguished gentlemen spoke.
and Mr.. Bailey. of Texas. in responding
to "Democracy's Mission said:
"As certain as the years go by and
the great national convention reassem-
bles. we will rig up the platform made
in 1896. and into his tpointing to Mr..
Bryan unsullied hands will give the
banner. as stainless as his life great
applause), and then the great comman-
derS Will give the orders for forward
march. and it will be II march to vic
tory. Let us here and now renew our
pledge and keep our faith. and when
We have fought the battle in its behalf
and won the victory, we shall receive
as our reward the confidence OF a
grateful people; and we will reward
that confidence by rcvitalizing these
great and essential principles of human
freedom. which it is the mission of our
party to perpetuate and defend"
There are special reasons why the
party should re-iterate the platform of
1896. and follow the leader of that year
to victory in 1900. The Democratic
party ever since the war had been n
wanderer in the wilderness. But in
that glorious year of reform. 1896. the
people resolved that they would no
longer be mislcd by false prophets, but
would return to the God who had de-
livcred them from Egyptian bondage
and rally to His side. They made a
new covenant with their God and their
was without guile. Through treachery
and fraud, the first battle failed; but
again the enemy is to be met. and some
whisper that we should revoke our
covenant of 1885, select a leader moro
acceptable to Baal. and share in the
favor of the God of Lucre and Trusts
No never! The grandcst victory ever
achieved by the American Democracy
was in 1896, when it recovered it's in
tegrity. and proclaimed afresh the prin-
ciplcs and policies of jefferson and the
fathers. as revealed in the Declaration
the Constitution and the carly teach
inES and practices of those who made
those sacred writings. Second only to
those testamcnts is the platform of
1896; second only to jefferson and
Washington is William j. Bryan; and
as our first victory was necessary to
reform ana renovatc the party which
had been prostituted TO iniqu;y so our
EeXt victory Gin 1900 on the same plat
form and under the same gallant and
incorruptble gentleman, shall be Il
thrice glorious triumph over all our
enemies.
But how few men in this age deserve
the voluntary tribute paid MIR. Bryan
by Mr.. Bailey. Yet, as conspicuous as
the great Nebraskan and great Demo-
crat is for ability, eloquencc. diligence
and courage, his "unsullicd hands"
and stainless life" are so marked and
recognized as to set him apart n con-
secrated man, to deliver his country
and his people in the hour of their
most imminent peril and distress.
Let us thank God for such a man:
that He has raised UP a hero for the
occasional deliverer equal to the dan
gers and difficulties that besct us
God does not waste such men: and the
presence Of Bryan inspires an abiding
faith that he was fashioned and re-
served for this great work. and that he
will accomplish 1t, 10 the glory of
God and the perpetuation Of human
freedom.