The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-07-13
THE PLATFORM.

Pure patriotism and sound wisdom
certainly dominated the counsels of
the Kansas City convention. There
was never better platform written
than that. It is terse, clear and un-
equivocal in its pronouncements
and so broad and comprehensive in
its demands and promises that, as
ex-senator Hill says, any man who
even calls himself Democrat can
support it. It has more American
ism in 1t than any political platform
ever written; and even those who do
not like its financial plank can join
with those who do, in a common
warfare against the imperialism and
militarism of the present administra-
ton, which, If not soon checked,
will convert this republic into an
empire.
If, as from the present complexion
of the Senate now seems probable,
nothing can be done for four years
yet for silver, still there is a hope
that something may be done then, if
this is still a republic. But if the
dangerous and rank growth of IL =
peralism is not rebuked and Ut
rooted If miljtarism puts its maj tial
heel upon the couutry's altar; if the
combined and allied forces of these
two and the plntocratic forces that
are behind them continue their mad
sweep, in four years time this repub-
lie would be an empire in all but
name, and the peoples rights will
not only have been ruthlessly filched
from them, but the opportunity to
retrieve their loss forever gone.
1t was this danger, doubtless, more
than anything else, that has united
the great Democratic party of the
East with that of the South and
West. Four years ago this danger
was not so apparent, and such men
as Hill and Croker preferred defeat
rather than a financial policy they
did not endorse. The platform of
1896 was to Hill foolishness, and to
Croker a stumbling block. Nobody
could foresee then the dangers that
threaten us now. Nobody could
believe that history would be made
30 fast. That corporations and trusts
and combines would wind their
mighty coil around great political
party, and paralize the power of the
} chief executive of the greatest ma
ton on the earth. That receiving
; orders from them, war would be
} made upon an unoffending people
: and that the flag of the free would
, be made to wave over serfs in a for.
} eign land, and that standing army
, with rapidly increasing force would
threaten the life of the republic anC
the liberties of the people.
But when Americans saw this they
forgot their differences, and Demo.
Gratis, Republicans and Populist'
, alike, rallied around the standard
= bearer who is true to the flag. And
: it is this Americanism that breathes
{ all through the platform. II re-
{, affirms the Declaration Of Independ
: ence; 1t declares against a standing
! army and for home guards, after tn,
= simplicity of our fathers; agains
, tyranny anywhere, and for freedom
+, the world over. 1t sympthizes will
: the Beers in their struggle for HON,
: rule, and alike with the Filipinos il
3 their fight for liberty. 1t declares
T that trusts are intolerable, aud tn a
5 the fostering care now being giver
J to combined capital dignifies anC
| empowers wealth, while 1t minimizei
? aud weakens the individual citizen
D 1t is platform, the all pervadinp
sentiment Of which Is that Of brother