St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1900-06-02
INSTRUCT DELEGATES
Boilers who Are Trying to
Get Back.

In 1896 two classes ofvoters left the
democratic party and contributed to
che election of Mckinley and the
fastening on the country of the att
tendant evils of Imperialism, militar-
ism and monopoly.
The reason assigned by these voters
for their ilI-adyised action was the
saEie in both cases-namely, disap-
proVal of the doctrine Of free silver
but in point of fact they were actu-
ated, unknoWingly in: some degree, by.
very diverse motives.
There were men whose habits of
mind, sympathies and convictions
were distinctly democratic, but who
through a Lack Of information on the
subject, or because of a mistaken no.
/ ton of their self-interest, or because
of the subtle influence of their en-
yironment, could see in the silver issue
only menacing attack ON the fnan-
cial and commercial interests of the
people. These men applauded the Chi
cago platform for much that it pro-
claimed, but felt that the money issue
overshadowed all else, and that on the
money issue the democracy was
wrong. We may deplore their error,
but we must eoncede to them honesty
in holding it. If now they feel-as
many of them do-that the money is
sue is not the chief subject matter of
the coming campaign, and that on all
other questions they wish to fight side
by side with the democracy, it is the
part of wisdom and of justice to open
the party ranks for their return.
But there is another element among
the seceders of 1896 toward whom the
duty of the party is not so clear. These
men based their desertion upon the
money issue alone, but in fact were
bitterly hostile to every plank in the
platform. They were tax-dodging mill
lionaires offended by the income tax
plank; monopolists affrighted by its
declaration against monopoly; corpo-
ration magnates relying on the Unit
ed States supreme court for the pro-
lection of their vested rights" hard
masters of labor welded to govern
ment by injunction and the like. It
was not silver that made them turn
yieiously and yenomously upon the
democratic party-it was that party's
frank alignment with the masses in
defense of the peoples rights.
Now men of this class are manifest
ing a desire to rejoin the party, but
unlike those of the first class they are
not returning in a spirit of amity and
acceptance of the party creed. They
wish to come back in command and
have the creed and candidates of the
party determined at their bidding
at the behest of men who betrayed
the party four years ago. Like Hon.
Perry Belmont, they promise the party
their aid and certain victory-but
only on condition of the complete
abandonment of the principles and the
leaders of 1896. Party perfdy is the
price of their support.
Men of this second class have no
place in the party councils. The trust
magnate, the 1nonopolist. the op-
pressor of labor, the franchise grab
Der. the imperia1ist are out of place
in the democracy. Their influence in
the convention will be all for evil, and
the party viii suffer in so far as it is
guided by them. But few of them are
as frank as Mr.. Belmont. More are
seeking to become delegates, or to Sc.
lect delegates, with specious promises
to abide by the will Of the party.
The test to apply to such doubtful
allies is to- demand that they accept
instructions to support the Chicago
platform and to select only candidates
loyal to it in 1896 and loyal now. An
tagonism to this course is in itself
suspicious. Loyal democrats will sup
port and applaud such instructions.
from the district to the state, from
the state to the national convention,
all delegates should be instructed. In
that way only lies safety from the
Vaccinations of plutocracy. Press
Bulletin.