The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-10

| There are great numbers Of Democrats
who believed that the Chicago platform
stood for principles which seriously
menaced the stability Of our institutions
and the security Of property. Regarding
these Gnrinciples as popullstlo and com
munistic Instead Of Democratic, these
dissenters did right when they refused
to vote for putting the dangerous doc
trines into effect. 1t Is as clear as sum
light that in order to havo any chance
OF success the Democratic party must
be In a. position to win the support Of the
influential element 1t drove to the.&oods
In 1896
Why do the narrow extremists who In
sist on making regularity IN 1896 the test
OF regularity in 1904 receive eagerly into
the fold as leaders men who have been
almost lifelong Republicans, like Townc
and Pettigrew and Teller? These zealots
habitually strain at n gnat and swallow
n camel.
10 make 1896 the criterion of Democ-
racy III 1904 would be fatal. The ma
jorlty OF the party's members know that
n terrible blunder was mnde eight years
ago, and they want the party to find safe
ground as quickly as possible. What
Democracy needs Is to turn Its back on
1895 and rcsolutely keep It's back turned.
To-day and tomorrow are the things
that concern tho party. II 1t would not
DO turned into q pillar of salt, let 1t stop.
looking over its shoulder at the ruins OF
the Chicago platform.-Norfolk Land
mark.
What Mr. James r. Gordon's views
were with reference to the question OF
national finance. and his vote for Mckln'
ley Ia 1896, instead of w. J.. Bryan, has
to do with his Democracy and his fitness
for the discharge Of duties of Mayor
Of The city Of Richmond, we cannot I'M
derstand. Mr.. Gordon, IL we mistake not.
has been Il life-ong Democrat, and With
perhaps one exception has always voted
tho Democratic ticket. In voting for
Mckinley In 1896 lie did so as Demo-
crat, purely upon the financial issues SO
prominently brought out In that memoir
able contest Thousands of Almon-pure
Democrats throughout the country shared
With Mr., Gordon IN the opinion that tho
success of Organism meant financial
ruin 10 the country, and voted for Pal
mer' and Buckner or directly for the
Republican nominee.
TO rise above party lines In supporting
measures honestly bellesved TO be for the
best interests of state and country is tho
best evidence Of true Democracy and lofty
patriotism. both Of which We're displayed
by Mr.. Gordon when he voted for Mcl<in-
ley instead OF Bryan In 1896 Experience
has clearly demonstrated that Mr., Cor
don acted wisely, as did all the Demo
Gratis that voted either directly or indi
rectly for William Mckinley, whose
party, although In many respects adyo
Gated measures repulsive Ia true Demo
cratic principles, was nevertheless ssunf
upon the most'ttnportant issue before the
country which was that Of nationa
| finance.
Party regularity, as all must admit. l.
essential TO party success, yet circum
stances may arise. as seems to have beer
the case in 1896. when success in one
! respect would have been stupendloul
failure in another. The friends and ad
mirers of both Cleveland md Bryan re
| gard them as staunch Democrats. ant
yet these two great leaders are far from
being In harmony as to tho future polic1
of the party-South Boston News,