New-York tribune., 1900-07-06
THE PLATFORN.

1ne PLATFORM ADOPTED at Kansas Clty yeSter-
day Is the perfect work of bosssm absolute
as any seen in this country. The declaration
on the subject about which the delegates
! TO the Convention really cared was forced by
Mr.. Bryan upon a reluctant Committee on
Resolutions with the aid Of Territorial members
who represent no voting strength. Even then
he able to secure satisfactory report only
by narrow majority of two, with the de-
batable States like Indiana, New York and
Maryland and the great Democratic States like
Texas, Virginia and Georgia against him. Yet
so demoralized is the party that the protesting
delegations, frightened at their own impudence
in daring to question Mr. Bryan's infaibility,
scurried to cover and unanimously adopted
what they dsapproved.
The signal triumph of 16 to 1 leaves con-
| seryative Democrats under possible illusion
about the policy they are asked to support.
They longer soothe themselves with the
plea that the party simply preserved continuity
with the past of its present leaders by per-
funCtOry phrases. The phrases have been fought
over and made the cornerstone of Democracy.
To the observer concerned with realities 1t may
seem a trifing matter whether the platform
| says "16 TO l" in so many words or says the
same thing in euphemistic terms of indorsing
! the Chicago platform. But it is not to be de-
MED that there many men anxious for any
! plea, however speCouS, to excuse themselves in
getting back to their party. To make their self
! delusion easier, and to make their dishon-
est acceptance Of principles which they do not
| believe seem less disgraceful New-York and
other Eastern Democrats wanted platform Of
concealments. After their failure sound money
men who want to vote for Mr. Bryan will have
to do it facing the unmistakable fact that they
are voting not merely for an academic advocate
Of free silver, but for an aggressive policy of
currency debasement which could be and would
be put in force If Mr.. Bryan succeeded.
The panks of the platform have been shuf-
fed little TO give the money question second
place, but the order Of paragraphs in a dOcu-
ment is OF little moment in face Of the fact
that the declaration for 16 to 1 was Mr. Bryan's
paramount point. The "anti-imperal" mani
festo is placed at the beginning to humor the
Fasteners who are begging somebody to fool
them with shadow of silver subordinat ton,
though they are well aware Of the reality of the
silver menace. AS was to be expected, that
manifesto is rich in round denuncation, for the
most part of the most empty and hollow sort
The men who quigged out Of the Republican
platform the manly statement Of the party's
constitutional policy in dealing with people in
new possessions, some of whom the Democrats
themselves say cannot be citizens without
dangering Institutions must now realize
their blunder That omission is taken advantage
Of to proclaim anew the old Calhoun doctrine
which the Republicans Of 1886 and 1850 repu-
dated. md the declaration may easily have in
fuence voters If directed against Repub
ncan acts which Republicans do not with equal
directness defend as the wise craftsmanship
which they were. The denunciation is clevery
done in the best style of professional viewing
with alarm" When 1t comes, however, to con-
structfve dealing with the expansion problem
the platform makers are much al sea.
The platform says the Constitution follows
the flag, and then 1t says that "the Fillpinos
cannot be made citizens without endangerng
"our institutions" and it favors giving them
first, stable form of government; second,
independence, and, third, protection from out
"sde interference" Now If they are already
under the Constitution they are citizens, and
the programme Of sloughing them off with
some anomalous protection is impossible. If
| the Democrats right, they are part of our
Union to help govern us with Mr.. Bryan's con-
sent for he favored the treaty annexing them,
extending the flag them. and with It, ac-
| cording TO his platform, the Constitution
Aside from these two topics the platform
contains the usual pledges and arraignments TO
be looked for from the Democracy When they
are examined In detail they will be found to
deal largely in claptrap and appeal to prejudice
AS in 1896, the party is still the ally Of dis
order, denOuncng government by injunction"
The foreseen attempt to secure party capital
out of the South African war is made and
from beginning to end no chance is lost to
gather to the Democracy, regardless OF sound
reasoning, all of the great body of fanatics
dyspeptcs, anarchists and demagogues 1t is
adroit in its appeal 10 people who do not think
Analysis Of 1t as the campaign goes on can
hardly fail to convince all others Of the partys
dangerous and unstable character