New-York tribune., 1900-07-02
TIE KANSAS CITY PLATFORM

The politicians who are gathering at Kansas
City have a difficult task before them. 1t is
their problem to reconcile the views Of a body
of honest fanatics with the aims of a body of
self-prOclaimed plotters Of deceit The question
at issue between them is the attitude of the
party on the silver question. The real believers
in Organism, like Mr.. Bryan himself, want
courageously to proclaim their doctrine and
make fair, open and respectable campaign in
its behalf They believe in 16 to 1, and how
ever mistaken their belief, however foolish it
seems in the light Of the last four years there
can be 10 doubt that they are taking the manly
and even patriotic course in seeking to submit
their policy to the judgment of the people
frankly on its merits for what 1t is.
They are met, however, by large number of
political bunco steerers. men Of no convictions
who are ready TO support any cause provided it
can be used as vehicle for their own advance
ment. They do not in the least object TO Is to l.
They do not in the least care If the currency be
debased or if the Supreme Court be packed, or
if the Presidency be occupied by man pledged
10 tolerate labor riot and disorder. But they do
object to avowing such principles while out Of
office. for fear OF losing votes. They want the
Democratic party to enter upon elaborate plot
10 fool voters, and by concealing it's intentions
under meaningless phrases and false pretences
10 steal into power and execute the designs
which they dare not have it avow. They are the
Eastern Democrats like Hill and Van Wyck
who are willing 10 support Bryan knowing we'll
what he believes, but asking that he will con-
ceal his beliefs and help them to deceive people
about his intentions They know that the Amer
lean people against free silver, but they hope
10 force free silver upon the people by false
pretenee. Yet some of them pretend 10 be gold
men by conviction.
II is possible TO regard with respect the man
who deals honestly with the people, admits that
Organism means the free silver and other revo-
lutionary doctrines Of 1885, but still asks votes
for Bryan for the sake OF other issues which
seem TO him more important. The person who
thinks commercial disaster and financial dis
honor is cheap price 10 pay to undo the re-
suits of the Spanish war we may think narrow
minded and fanatical and foolish, but he does
not provoke absolute contempt as a trimmer
and 2 demagogue. That is reserved for those
who support Bryan with the pretence that they
are not supporting the principles Of Organism
Whether or not the bunco steering element Of
the Democracy succeeds in making platform
for Bryan with Bryanism left out ought to
make no difference Mr. Bryan is his own plat
form and no jugglcry of words at Kansas City
can conceal the fact that his election would
mean the triumph Of the doctrines enunciated
at Chicago in 1896 IN the executive office he
could and he would use all the great power Of
the Treasury 10 demoralize business. He would
consider il his duty to do Without new
laws he could IN the exercise Of his discretion
Geplete bank reserves interfere at critical times
with the money market and precipitate a crash
And if he should be elected there is no telling
how soon he might have both houses Of Con-
gress with him and the mask Of moderation
ss-sARn off. Then we should see the whole Chi