The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-08

The Democratic state convention in its
platform reaffirmed the principles of the
Chicago platform of 1896. Among the ..prin-
ciples'' enunciated and affirmed is the fol-
lowing:
We declare that the act of 1873 demonetiz-
ing silver has resulted in the appreciation
OF gold and corresponding fall in the
prices OF commodities produced by the peo-
pie. and in the prostration of in
dustry and the impoverishment of the peo-
pie.
The foregoing statement might have an
swered in 1896. when silver agitation and
the paralysis of fear checked the indus
try of the country and compelled merchan-
disc to be sold for any price offered, but
1t Is decidedly out of date for 1900, when
the prices of nearly all merchandise have
advanced. In some lines, because of wide
demand and speculation. merchandise has
advanced more than it should and IS now
settling back to the legitimate price of gen.
Gral demand. Because of silver agitation
mainly. industry was Frustrated in 1896, but
none but Democratic or Populist PLATFORM
makers would make such a declaration in
seen such general prosperity as has blessed
the people during the past two years.
Again, the reaffirmation of the Chicago
platform reiterates the following declara-
ton:
We are unalterably opposed to gold mon
ometallism, which has locked fast the pros
perity of an industrial people in the paraly-
sis of hard times.
That statement might have been made
With some show of reason in 1896. but only
a political caIamity-howler would make the
assertion in 1860. when labor is more gen.
orally employed than at any other period
IN the history of the country and when the
advance and value of merchandise going
into consumption is nearly a third greater
than it was in 1896. Again, the Chicago
platform of 1896 asserts:
protect American labor is TO prevent the
importation OF foreign pauper labor TO COM
pete with il in the home market and that
he value of the home market TO our Amer
lean farmers and artisans is greatly reduced
by vicious monetary system, which de-
presses the prices OF their products below
the cost of production. and thus deprives
them OF the means of purchasing the prod :
ucts OF our home manufacture.
This might have fitted the era when con-
sentative people were frightened with the
prospects of silver morometallism, but 1t
does not apply TO the year 1900. when gold
monometallism is believed. to be assured.
American artisans. by increased wages and
steadier employment. are receiving week
after week a third moro money than they
did in June, July and August 1896. The
Price of all agricultural products. with the
exception of wheat, arc higher now than
in 1896 In Mr.. Bryan's own State millions
of dollsrs OF farm mortgages have been
paid. while money is so plentiful that
lenders who desire real estate security are
| obliged to hunt for mortgages and accept
a much lower rate of interest.
| Yet with the facts OF general prosperity
en- every hand. as Rev. DR.. Lasby declared
| in his prayer in the Democratic conven-
ton. the Democracy OF Indiona has made
itself ridiculous. by reaffirming the out-of-
date and incongruous platform upon which
dr. Bryan was nominated in 1896.