The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-04-10

uDpc u supIt CDhbtlputioh pu lh"'' W
the present national political conditions
may serve. at least, 10 stimulate thought
before action in the minds OF those Of
district No /, who either have share
in party counsels, or may exert an IN.
nuence in shaping the next platform Il
the Democracy and for the reflection
Of those sturdy yeomen Of this section,
who are content with less political rec
ognition, but who are. nevertheless, the
backbone Of their country's real power,
/ believe the views submitted can but
be- pertinent and timely.
What should be the next Democratic
platform In modern American poll
tics. whatever be the supposed or the
ancillary uses Of a platform to party,
Its real use is principally 20 catch votes.
There are enough gold Democrats in the
United States who in 1896 voted either
for Mckinley or Palmer, or failed TO
vote at all. who, added TO those who
voted for Bryan, would undoubtedly
elect the Democratic nom this year
II -hould be the plan OF 4 democratic
party % frame such plai m a., with
out the sacrifice Of any reaI Democratic
principle, will serve best to harmonic
and unity the discordant elements, the
existence # which caused its defeat in
1896. No Democrat, II whatever per
suasion. VIII RainsAy this. But the
question is. what planks should be in
serted. and Whist is the relative promi'
nence % be accorded each, both in the
plotform itself and the voice OF party
leaders on the stump. in the editorial
- ms and at the clubs: In view Of the
many caucuses OF party leaders in evil
dence everywhere nov, and the fact
that this question is and must be the
all absorbing one in their cOulcll3, let
us take a view Of the case for ourselves.
The largest wing OF the Democratic
party is the silver element. OF these
many are in favor. at this time, of rel
egating silver to the rear, and putting
in the fore ground plauks against
trusts. imperialism, the Puerto Rican
and the internal mismanagement and
corruption of the Republican party ;
while others, to whom sentiment and
theory are more precious than policy and
a condition, unable 10 realize the changes
which four years have wrought, still
cling to the necessity Of presenting the
free and unlimited coinage OF silver et
l6 to / as the leading issue. The gold
Democrats, Of course, want the coming
platform to preach the death-knell OF
silver. Edmund Burke, tho English
10 the core. was opposed TO the taxation
Of the American colonists on the ground
that it was inexpedlent. Parliament
turned a deaf ear 10 preserve right
He thought the question Uf rights should
not enter the discussion. He was both
a statesman and politician. The re-
fusal of the obstinate king and Parlia-
ment to listen to his argument cost Eog'
land the loss Of the richest domain any
Power ever possessed So in the oondi-
tions which confront the Democratic
party now. The free coinage OF silver
may be, and doubtless is, matter Of
principle with the maj )rity Of Demo
Gratis They believe il is the correct
financial policy Oonceding this to be
true, il is also true that this is not now
the issue il was four years ago. In the
greater apparent prosperity of the coun.
try, IS a whole, the people have forgot
ten, and many ceased to believe that
their life, liberty and happiness are to
be found only in free silver legislation.
Most Democrats now are thinking of
the other issues, since made, which are
alive, biting, stinging II the Demo-
cratic party is wise it will not force any
issue on the people; most of all, it will
not compel, for the sake Of preserving
q sentiment and as tho proof Of right,
the re-enactment OF a prominent silver
plank. AS to this issue they should
reas)n as did Burke, and the question
of expedienoy should govern. Again, the
Senate is safely Republican and will
remain so for four years. There Is
scarcely the shadow Of hope, therefore,
Of passing free silver legislation during
the next Democratic Presidency, how
ever eager the majlrity OF the party
might wish it, The present Congress
has fixed gold as the standard
of value. Why, then, antagonizs
rather than conciliate the gold
Democrats by unwiseiy insisting upon
free silver as the leading issue, when
Democrats Of all stripes are practically
a unit on the live issues which are
before the country: There seems to be
no substantial reason. Relegate silver
10 the rear: make Down with the
Trusts" and " Republic versus En-
pire " the gravamen of the platform and
the slogan of the party. and there re-
mains less doubt of Democratic success,
II the party is expedieut and wise, such
will be the case
Algernon B Chandler. Jr.
Bowling Green, Va. April 7th, 1900