The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-24

ivention. He objects vigorously because
the convention failed to make n decara
tion on the money question, re-affirming
the Kansas City demand. The New York
World on the other hand, objects to the
resolutions because they did not come out
lat-footed for the gold standard. now and
forever. Mr.. Bran questions the wisdom
of nominating Judge Parker unless he will
make public declaration touching all
public questions The World wishes him
to repudiate Mr.. Hills meaningless plat
form.
Perhars the part of wisdom is the mid
die ground. Mr.. Bryan thinks the ques-
ton of free COINAGE live issue this year;
the World thinks it as dead as Julius Gaze
sar. The truth appears to be that the dis
covery OF gold in Alaska, and other
causes, have largely increased the volume
if primary money in circulation, and have
helped to produce at least for time, the
rising prices in products which the Chi
cago platform thought to secure by the
free coinage of silver. If there continues
to pour from the bowels of the earth
|
rency, there may be no early need for op
| ening the mints to silver. 1t is certain
| that this need is not felt now and that the
silver question will not be an issue this
year. But it is by no means certain that
the inflow of gold will continue. With Il
tfiminution of the supply and return to
the falling prices, that made hard times
until gold poured in from the mines and
from the artificial demand for products
caused by the war, there will again be
need for a larger amount OF primary
money in circulation. Mr.. McKinley's
election did not end the panic. 1t con
tinued worse than ever until Alaskan
gold and the Cuban war put large vol
umes of money in circulation.
What then is the duty of the National
Democrac-.? 1T is to let the money ques-
ton rest in allegiance. The experience of
the past six years has abundantly proved
the Democratic convention of 1896 that con-
tracing currency was largely responsible
for the ills of the country. 1t is equally
clear that with larger volume of money
in circulation and consequent higher
prices for products Of labor, there
lis now no need for the large
coinage of silver. Therefore the money
!, question is not now an issue and has
no place in this years campaign. All
the powers on earth could not keep it
from bein~ the leading issue IN 1896,
though Mckinley, Hanna, Cleveland and
! Hill all tried not to make an issue. This
year, with conditions changed mainly by
the gold discoveries, all the powers on
earth cannot make the silver question an
| issue.
The Democratic party in America wishes
to end the reign of Roosevelt. We use
I the term ''reign" advscdly. He has
usurped powers that belong to other de-
partments of government and assumed the
| arrogance of a despot. In the South he is
particularly Objectionable. He can be de-
feated if all who wish to restore the gov
eminent to the Jeffersonian standard will
unite in support of a candidate and a de-
claration of PRINCIPLES. Victory cannot be
won by platform Of meaningless phrases
or by the abandonment of the fundamen-
tai principles of Democracy. By the same
| token it cannot be won by insistence IN
toto upon the platform of any previous year
or prescribing men who hold to the fund
amental principles of Democracy, which
may be summed up in Jefferson S expires
sion equal rights to all and special PRIV
leges to none" BY sticking to that plat
| e 10 hn I;t--
ing issue warning against favoritism in
the shape of protection, subsidies of all
sorts. immunity from violating the laws
against monopolics, and holding fast IN
our foreign policy to the doctrine "entang-
ling alliances with none,'' the party will
such a candidate fer president as Judge
| Parker, of New York, Ex-Governor Pat
| tison, of PENNSYLVANIA, or any other Dem
ocrat who has never bowed the knee to
Baal," and whose character, standing and
| record should make him acceptable to
Democrats in all portions of the Republic.
| 1t is not to be expected that before the
| convention meets. there will be entire har-
mony between Democrats as to platform
or candidates. That has never occurred
when the party was alive and militant.
| Democrats are too independent to accept
dictation. they look at matters too hon
estly to disscmble and they believe too
| much in free speech to submit to being
muzzled. Therefore Mr. Bryan in the
West and the New York World in the
East, representing two distinct schools OF
| thought, will contend, both that the mon
ey question is vital issue this year
| the enc that a free coinage fight should
| be waged and the other that the National
Democracy should declare flatfooted Tor
the gold standard. After the discussion
| and we are sure to have plenty OF it
| the National Convention will denver the
nature judgment of the party, and all
| good Democrats no matter how widely
| they may differ. or how unwiselv they
| may press their differences, Twill submit
! TO the arbitrament Of the National con