The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-01
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY l, 1909.
A cLEAM OF HOPE.

It is a distinct mark of Democratic progress when out of 109 Democratic Con- gressmen in caucus assembled only 17 voted for re-affirmation of the Kansas City platform folly.
 The Philadelphia Times published in it's Sunday issue series of letters rom Democrats in various States who hold of- ficia relations with the Democratic Party. It invited suggestions for the bet fer organization and general serengthen- ing of the Party. Among those whose responses are published are Senator Ba- con of Georgia; J. M. Guffey, Pennsyl- yania. member of the National Demo- member of the committee from Connecti- cut; George P. Raney. the Florida mem Der of the committee, and R. NJ. John ston. the Texas member of the commit tee; Isidor Rayner of Maryland, and Frxnk Campbell. the chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee.
 Every one of the writers except MT. Campbell admits, either directly or indi- rectly, that the silver issue is dead and must be dropped. The Florida commit teeman says that it will be best for com ing Democratic Conventions ito remain silent on the issues that have divided us." The Texas man is willing to drop the 16 to l issue. He thinks there is ample chance for agreement as to the tariff and the colonial schemes of the Republican Party. 'The logic of events eliminates the silver question" says II. B. Fereu- son. the member of the Democratic Ma tional Committee from New Mexico. MT. Rayner's letter is one of the shortest and most suggestive. This gentleman, whose conduct of Rear-Admiral Schley's de- kense before the court of inquiry at Washington has made him widely known and much respected. says:
 I do not think there ought to be any Eroubie in reuniting tho various elements of the Democracy in time for the next national election. The financial issue is the only one that separates our forces now. and there must be some method of party settlement arrived at upsn this subject. We are still the Party of the Constitution, We are opposed to central ization of Federal power to colonial az grandlzement. to the unbridled rule of monopoly and to the extravagance and corruption that always prevail under Re- publican administrations. We do not be- lieve that the vaults of the Treasury should be opened to the public plunderer, and we still adhere to our historic faith that this is a Government of enumerated powers and that there is no sanction in the Federal Constitution to impose upon the people of this Union any tribute that 1t is not necessary to carry out the pur- poses of Government economically admin istered These principles are entvined around the altars of our creed, and though we have often been torn asunder by conflicting opinions, we have over and over again buried the flags of the fac tions and raised aloft the colors of the Constitution. Impressed with these views, answer your inquiry by saying that would respectfully suggest q conference and eonsultation among the leaders of Democratic thought from different sec fions of the Union in ample time for the purpose of formulating the preliminary outlines of a platform upon which we can all unite. so that We can present an unbroken front against our common foe and again be called upon to shape and guide the destinies of the republic.