The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-04
FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1900.
VIRGINIA DEMOCRACY.

The state convention which has just
been held in Norfolk was one of real
significance, despite the Est9essness that
marked its deliberations.
The interest of the convention consisted
In what was left undone. and this be-
comes much clearer when the newspaper
reports are carefully examined. It was a
totally different gathering of men from
that which came to Stanton in 1896 and
endorsed free silver as a cardinal prin-
c!ple of Democracy and political faith At
Stanton the delegates were strongly in
favor of the. untried experiment. of Great
ing prosperity by coming silver at a ratio
of ls 10 ! with gold
The Times never believed that any re-
suit could be gotten from that course
but misery to the wage-earner and de-
s,tTuction TO The producer. beth Farmer
and manufacturer. There is no need to
discuss how The Times opinions were
received. or how its arguments were
fouted and its prophecies decried, but
there is need to take notice of the sit
uatson as it Is to-day. and as If is being
met by the Democratic party Of Virginia.
In the first place the country at large
is enjoying an extraordinary degree Of
prosperity, which even the charm and
personal magnetism of Senator Daniels
pratory failed 70 iepreciate or disprove.
In the second place this prosperity.
which we take il means steadier employ
ment with more pay and more of the
necessities and luxlirdes OF life than have
been heretofore enjoyed, has come with
out free silver, and more-nas come with
the very gold standard To whose exist
ence all our ills from 1888 to 1886 were
attributed.
Again. the Republican party stands as
It has always stood, for class privileges,
for legislation THAT benefits the few at
the expense of the many, for corrupt pen
now-tcr miiitarism and imperial vassal-
age.
What is the Democratic party doing?
Is il giving lis cordial help and counte-
nance to those earnest citizens who abhor
the Republican party and its seH-seeking
principles Is it promising the la.boring
man, the very bone and sinew OF our
country, a steady standard value and an
opportunity FOR regular employment? IN
happily, no, lit is. rather going back to
the dead past, and vainly seeks to give
once more prestige TO a formula and
dogma that the Democratic leaders know
to be dead and tnait even the rank and
file Of the voters fail to find of vital inn
por:sanee The interest of this convention
lies in this: that no one VINO saw the
ianguid interest taken by the convention
in free SILVER can doubt but that SO far
rs Virginia Democracy is concerned, the
issue of 16 TO is hopeiessiy, and beyond
all hope Of resurrection, dead. Mr.. Mum
tords speech on the minority report,
which sought 10 leave the Kansas City
Convention free 20 adopt its OWN platform,
uriraaneiied by The Chicago declaration,
demonstrated This fact. The argument
was earnestly followed by the delegates.
and though the minority report was
tabled, 1t was made clear 10 an that there
is to-day a large and influential body OF
tried and true Democrats in Virginia who
are as unaIterably opposed as ever TO
Republican principles and the Republican
administration of the new issues thai
slasc been tiurst upon us, and while their
one desire Is to see the Democratic prin-
cipies once more triutn.ohantay in power,
they do moi want 10 see The platform
numbered with creeds outwTorn. which.
snstead Of hetiring, viii drive away thou
ssands Of faithful, men and cost the party
another easeat.
Every victory only serves TO ensrench
eae Republican party more for.midabiy.
and every defeat serves 10 weaken the
confidence of the peosae in the Democratic
party, aud there vii como day Of
reckoning for those leaders who mis- cad
the signs Of tae times and seek to give
to their party issues that are foredoDmed
TO failure.