The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-25
THE WAY TO DEMOCRATIC
HARMONY.

We publish today the full text of the
speech of Hon. William Jennings Bryan
at the dinner of the New England Demo-
cratic League in Boston.
1t rings clear and points the way to-
ward Democratic harmony, being based
upon the teachings OF Jefferson.
"Acquiescence in the will of the ma
jority" in party government is as essen
tial to party harmony and party success
as "acquiescence in the will of the ma
jority" at the polls is essential to the
preservation of the life of the Republic
Mr.. Cleveland emphasized that truth in
1892, after he had been nominated after
a bitter contest, when he declared that
all should bow to "the arbitrament of the
National Convention" 1t is unfortunate
that at any time, either in 1892 or in
1886 or in 1900, any voters calling them
selves Democrats should nave failed to
submit to 'the arbitrament of the Ma
Iional Convention" The mistake of the
past ought to make certain that no ele-
ment will repeat those mistakes in 1904.
Those Democrats who made a mistake
in 1896, who are opposed to special
privilege, are now back in the party,
and they are working side by side with
all other Democrats for a national vic
tory. Those who believe in special
privilege have properly gone to the Re-
publican party to stay. That is the
crucial test and marks the dividing line
between the Republican and the Demo-
more clearly than ever to be one be-
tween Democracy and Plutocracy, as Mr..
Bryan points out. In that contest no
body doubts where every real Demo-
crat, no matter what his views upon the
ratio between the metals or any other
less important question, will be found
fighting for Democracy. Those who be-
lieve in special privilege-whether in pro-
lection, subsidies. banking or immunity
in the Republican ranks.
The way to harmony is in devotion to
principle In 1892, when the Democratic
Convention met, Mr. Cleveland wished
declaration upon the tariff that, if not a
straddle. was not a bold declaration for
"a tariff for revenue only" The conyen-
tion wisely, boldly declared it's opposition
to protection, and Mr.. Cleveland after
wards reioiced that his own plank was
discarded. Devotion to principle brought
election. If the Democrats in 1892 had
their tariff declaration,
harmony would not have been secured
There never was any hope for harmony
in 1896 after the disastrous defeat in
1894, produced by wide and bitter party
divisions. The party polled a greater
vote by it's unequivocal declaration for
free coinage than if it had passed the
compromises offered. There was never
platform. The skies are now bright for
1904 if harmony can be restored in the
party councils.
How is harmony to be restored? Not
by letting Mr.. Cleveland or Mr.. Bryan
write the platform; not by harmony
dinner" speeches where one calls the
1896 platform and it's candidate 1.-The
body of death" or the other charges all
the failure of 1894 to the Cleveland ad-
ministration; not by demands for "reor-
ganization, coupled with insult of the
leaders OF 1896 and 1900, or by abuse of
those who were not in accord with the
party during those campaigns; not by
demanding in 1902 a reputation of the
1900 platform or a demand that when the
it shall reaffrm the Kansas City plat
FORM not by agitation for "straddles"
and compromises" or by hostility to
such liberalitv and breadth that will
make a united and harmonious Democ-
racy.
But-and this is the root of the whole
matter-the Democratic party cannot
secure harmony by writing a milk and
water platform, by trying to please every
element Of the party, by being all things
to all men. Mr.. Bryan spoke eternal
truth when he said last night in his
Boston speech:
"Our party must have principles and
maintain them; it must stand by and
defend them, relying upon its faith in
the righteousness of those principles and
upon it's faith in the intelligence and
patriotism of the people,
He spoke words of equal truth and
soberness when he declared that the
hope of Democratic success is to be
found mot by making peace with the
enemy; not by initiating their work, their
methods or their phraseology, but by
honest, straightforward appeal to the