Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-05

ccssions can the dominant element IN tho
party houorably MAKE. AID what can the
Unaffected ones accept; What new issues,
II any, should be added, and what qIes-
tions should be placed at uo front. In
BRIEF, what would be the best method Of
bringing about parry harmony anu uni
form action for the campaign.
Let me say first, n a general way, that
d political party must have O. mSslon,
must nave certain definite aims and pur-
poses. or else IL mas no excuse FOR exist
ing. Ii it stands only for an appetite, il
IT has no higher aim tnan merely 20 win,
then II Is utterly c)mtemp.iDle and un-
worthy OF the confidence OF patriotic
men. Since 1896 he Democratic party
has had such u l1iszion, and with very
few exceptions me six ard a half miiiion
men who supported IL IN 1875 are earnest
~ laboring to carry out that great mis-
sion. They have been taught TO hold
their heads up they have been taught ~
stand for principle. they aaye been
taught q certain l-gree o. manly indie
pendence. They are 10 longer in q con-
dition 10 be delivered to anybody on to
be made q convenience Of by any class
of manipulators. THIS body I'll men Is
going straight on, and Will welcome 70
its ranks all men who have The same
convictions and the same high purpose.
ON the other hand, this body Of men
would rather face defeat a thousand
times while fighting for rs principles
than 10 win at the expense of principle
These people believe a man should act
with that political party, which IS in Lar-
mony with his ideas.
This being the case, il is apparent that
these men cannot be trided with, and
they must not be asked 10 admit that
they have been in the wrong, for they
are more firmly convinced than ever that
they are right. They Will make every con-
cessi0n for harmony except r1at Of prin-
ciple.
Let me here remind the Eastern people
of u little history: In 1882 the Demo-
cratic convention made declaration on
the money question: nearly AN the Demo-
Gratis of America held specific views on
this question; Grover Cleveland. being
under the control of Wall-atreet ipiu-
ences. held opposite views. and in his let
ter Of acceptance ne practically Iogu-
dated the views of the Demo rats OF
America, vet the western Democrats stood
by their party-yOtei the ticket. In l'5o
the Democratic convention. BY two
thirds majority. took n definite stand on
the money question and The minority, in
stead OF submitting and showing them
selves 10 be Democrats, bolted tho ticket
they believed i'm the principle that the
majority should rule. but they insisted
that they themselves constituted that
majority. Now. it seems 20 me tnat, IN
view Of this DIT Of history, the Demo-
Gratis who bolted in 1886 ought not 10 in
sist on debating terms or on having eny
particular concessions made before they
return TO the Democratic party; they are
all welcome If they will come back as
Democrats. and II they don't come back
i'm that way they cannot possibly do the
party any good. and any attempt 10 buy
their support by making concession Of
principle will drive away more than
twenty men for every one who could be
gained I'm this way. The Democrats OF
America are not going to admit that they
were wrong I'm 1895. and they are going
TO insist that the Chicago platform DO re-
adopted. They have no desire To offend
anybody. but they feel they cannot hon
orably pursue any other course, aud they
also recognize the fact that other great
issues have arisen which must be- solved,
If they are solved at all, by the Demo
cratic party, because the Republican
party has become utterly disqualified from
properly protecting republican ihsutu-
tions Tho question or trusts must De
dealt with. the question OF a standing
army must be dealt with, the question'oi
imperialism and the ultimate overthrow
of our institutions must DO dealt with
goSernment by injunction; rial by jury
IS an issue-in fact, the Declaration OF
Independence, adopted by the fathers, rs
an issue for we have recently been told
bv the adherents OF the Mckinley admin
istration that that great charter OF hu-
man rights was a fraud. The Democratic
marty must deal with these great ques-
lions. In order 10 deal with them IT must
be a positive party, IT must be an ag-
gressive and progressive party; II must