Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-07
TWELVE PAGES.
SATURDAY. JULY Z. 1900.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

The Democratic platform rings clear
upon every issue now before the Amer
lean people. 1t is courageous and il
is definite. 1t neither lodges nor
equlvocates. j is not mere iuggle of
words put together to catch votes and
to conceal purposes. 1t enables the
Democratic party to so before tho
country with program that leaves
nothing to conjecture and that can
not be misunderstood or misintcrpre-
ted There are no loopholes through
which inconvenient pledges may he
pitched into outer darkness, should the
time come for their fulhllment.
1t is no mere petulant expression OF
opposition. 1t is neither iconoclastic
nor reactionary. 1t is pre-eminentlv
American and is in touch with what
Is best in the history and traditions
of the republic. 1t contemplatcs no
break with our past ami does not put
the American people in the humiliating
position of humbly confessing before
the thrones OF Europe that the repub-
lie had its beginnings IN u mistake ana
It's continuance in hypocricy: that
George the Third was right and George
Washington wrong. Ii holds fast res
olutcly to the theory justified by fact
that the declaration OF mans right to
govern himself was long step for
ward in the evolution of government.
and that reputation of this funda-
mental principle is not progress but
retrogresson. This the convention
wisely made the keynote OF its decIa-
ration.
AS to this part OF the platform there
will he no difference of opinion among
l-nmociats. Tho line is sharplY drnMn
between Imperialism and Expansion.
Many Democrats favor The latter: none
favors the former. When the platform
passes TO other issues it is equally
clear and equally positive Tho dccla-
ration as TO Trusts is in striking con
trast 10 tho shuliling of lie Rcpubii-
cans. Tho platform proposes definite
action under the ample authority OF
tho Constitution.
The only part OF the PLATFORM we
fake it, upon which Democrats will
differ is the declaration for the free
coinage of silver at the ratio of rs to /.
Eardcd as mistake by many who
supported MIR. Bryan in 1896. not that
they believe 1t wrong in princiblc. but
because they are persuaded that in
view of the present grave emergency
The contest should not have been com
plicatcd by any issue that threatened
division; on the other hand had this
declaration been omitted such omis-
eion would have given offence to an
equally large number of voters who
cordially supported the Democratic
platform and nominees four years ago.
Just what part this issue will play i'm
the campaign will shortly appear. 1t
may lead to a repetition of the Palmer
Buckner fasco OF 1896: though many
Former Democrats who supported this
ticket or voted for Mckinley will re-
turn despite the silver plank.
Taken by far and large. it is an OK
rellcnt platform. and one upon which
the Democrats should be able to rally
all opponents OF the vicious tendencies
of Kepubicanism. 1t is a platform
that neither now nor hereafter will call
sor explanation or apology. /, has the
virtue which is supreme in u party
ceclaration--it enables every voter to
choose intel'igently for or against Il.
1t is rather lengthy; it might perhaps
have been compressed with advantage
and Without sacrificing clcarncss: but
there are multitude of issues this
yeoc and tho main thing was that the
pnrty's position on each should De
amply set forth This the platform
noos.