The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-21
The Spokane Platform.


The resolutions adopted by the DEM
ocratic convention at Spokane on Sat
urday are about what might have been
expected from an assembly that gets
very small comfort out OF the past, has
little real hope for the future. and IL
therefore In the proper frame OF mind
to denounce. to oppose. to condemn and
70 deplore. A political organization that
has done little or nothing in the past OF
which Il can boast is naturally prone TO
whine about the accomplishments OF It's
opponent. With no creative power and
a constitutional disinclination TO do any
thing, the Democracy for forty years
has posed as a professional Pathfinder,
and of course has become an expert In
the business. As result. Democratic
platforms of later years are MASTER
pieces that are as fun OF criticism for
alleged errors by Republicans as they
are barren of remedies to correct those
errors. The Spokane declarations are OF
the usual Job lot variety that has been
drawn upon for some years with the
idea of preserving a semblance of vital
fly In a waning cause.
Democrats are somewhat at sea Just
at the present time In the matter Of
positive beliefs. and In consequence they
find 1t difficult to draw up a statement
of principles such as will be acceptable,
70 the party as a whole. There are few
straight -out professions to which all Of
the members of the organization will
subscribe. and II Ia not often that the
party has the courage to make clear and
candid declarations even on these mat
ters where there Is no room for dis
agreement. Thus the Spokane platform
win be found to be made up for the most
part OF few seneralities. so worded
as to AFFORD ample opportunity for dodg-
ing should the circumstances render
such action imperative.
The Chicago platform II reaffirmed In
Its entirety. This would appear to be
a frank and open avowal OF principles
1t seems nothing more nor less than
the approval of all the hideous doctrines
which were enuncisted In the platform
or four years ago, when silver at is
10 I was demanded when the supreme
court OF the United States was assailed,
when the reign OF riot and mob terror
ism were Endorsed. And yet. this ap-
prevail of the Chicago madness is shown
10 be inslncere by the shutting treat
mept accorded some OF the Chicago doc.
trines when they are taken up specific.
ally. The Republican party is denounc-
ed for its previous attitude on himet-
Sllism. and this IL the only reference Z,
the silver question. In the entire Spo-
kane convention there was not sufti.
cient courage to enable that body 10
come out boldly and demand the
free coinage " silver at the ratio Of
Is TO l: aud Vet this was the plank ~
paramount Importance in the Chicago
platform and Mr. bryan SAYS that II
~ ANh&N AAlf tliNNt important issue. IN
spite Of the fact that they reaGirm the
Chicago platform In general terms the
Democrats at Spokane did not darn 20
ask specifically for the free coinage u
silver at the ratio Of Is TO l because they
know this error has been exploded and
that nobody Is demanding IT, But they
VIII not be permitted 70 shuttle or evade
They have appealed 10 thu Chicago plat.
form. and 10 II they shall 60 They
are tied 20 that corpse. and the voter
cannot cast Democratic ballot this
year without supporting free silver and
free anarchy
The expansion issue. about the only
new question upon which the Demac-
racy could have come ont and stated
It's position IN unmistakahle terms. Is
handled with a delicacy that hetokens
no very certain unanimity Of sentiment.
There is opposition to the Republican
policy of imperialism" but this I'M