The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-27
SEATTLE, MONDAY, August ~.
Some Former Platforms.


Mr.. Bryan. in his speech accepting
the Populate nomination for presi-
dent, lays emphasis on the fact that
he has In no respect changed his views
on any subject thich has ever been an
Issue before the public since his entry
into politics, although he deems II adj
vissble, at present. 20 lay more empha-
sis on the new issues which he desires
10 bring to the front in the present
campaign. He advertises himself as
true bourbon, who has ceased to
learn and has never forgotten any
thing. He says that It takes time to
work all reforms. and reverts to the
fact that President Johnson. In 1853.
recommended constitutional amend
ment for the election Of senator's by
popular vote, as an illustration of a
reform which has been . long time in
gaining strength.
II Mr.. Bryan desires TO deive back
into the remote history OF the Demo-
cratic party. there are few platform
utterances Of the party to which he
belongs which II might be well for him
to examine.
For example, In 1850 both branches
Of the Democratic party adopted the
following as part OF their platform Of
principles;
Resolved; That the Democratic
party are in favor Of the acquisition
OF the Island OF Cuba on such terms
~ shall be honorable to ourselves and
Just TO Spain"
Both Breckenridge and Douglas APP
pealed 10 the people for election on this
plank. which IL worthy OF close anal
VISTA Nothing Is said In this about OBJ
tanning the consent OF the people Of
Cuba 20 the proposed transfer. Spain
and the United states are the sole
parties whose wishes or rights or hon
or Is taken into consideration. Can
any Democrat, from Mr. Bryan down.
point out any single reason which
would have made Il. forty years ago.
mere desirable or more within the
constitutional powers OF congress ~
acquire Cuba. without consulting the
inhabitants az that island. than Il Is
today 20 retain the Philippines. already
acauirede MIR BRYAN has announced
In substance that he ciings 20 all os
the origina, tea~ts as Democracy. and
Is always quoting and generally Earb-
Hug extracts from letters and speeches
from the earlier leaders az HIS party
Does he, today indorse the stand which
his party took IN reference 90 the ao-
QUESTION % Cpbag
Mr.. Bryan says that the Democratic
party il In favor 81 the issue % green.
backs. and lnilmatss that Il u mat
ter OF hut slight concern whether thosa
sreenbacks shall be reasonable. or
whether they shall under the ropalls-
There Win be time enough 70 discuss
the irredeemahili,y % the greenhack
when the sreeahNcE itself IL saved from
the snblhna,ian which now Threatens
Il"
Tho historic Democracy. which Mr.
0yan claims 20 represent. did not ex-
0,ly takc this view ~ the subject
One cf the earliest Democrats plat
form utteraHces on the subject Of the
currency Is Ia the New York Locosoco
convention OF 1854, which declares.
Unqualified hostility 20 bank notes
and papsr money as "A circulating me-
dun. because gold and silver Is the
only safe ana constitutional currency
Prior to the resumption % specie
payments. after the war. the Demo-
cratic party never wasted an oppor-
tunity 60 denounce the Republicans for
not resuming specie payments and re-
tirsns ths sSreenhseks Tha platform