The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-28

One of the questions now dividing the
Democratic party, not against the Re
publican party, but among themselves, Is
whether the Kansas City platform shall be
reaffirmed or not. One of the disadvan-
tages of party that changes it's principles
every year or two and makes paramount
issue of any piece of political driftwood
that promises to last during a campaign
is that ii is apt to be continually confronted
with the question of what TO do with its
last platform. a platform that has con-
tributed to a victory is entitled to some
what of the same gratitude as a bridge
that carries one over a stream. but one
that has brought defeat and then becomes
obsolete, as all the Democratic platforms
of recent years have. is an incumbrance
that is hard to get rid of.
In regard to the Kansas City platform
both wings of the Democracy are disposed
to stand pat, the Bryanites in support of
and the anti-Bryanites in opposition of it.
Mr.. Bryan himself makes reaffrmation OF
the platform the test of Democracy. 1t
certainly is of Bryan Democracy. Not to
reaffirm the platform would be virtually
to repudiate him, and he has no idea of
permitting that. Though not a candidate
this year he intends to keep himself and
the party in fine for the future. He knows
legatee for the time being, is willing to
stand on any kind of a platform, provided
only he can be nominated, and that with
| millions of money to spend he would be as
apt TO succeed on a twice repudiateG plat
| form on any other. Therefore Bryan
is for reaffirming the Kansas City platform
touching it up little in spots and putting
Hearst on it.
The conservative Democrats who were
| gold-standard men in 1896 and 1900 from
principle occupy the same position now
| that they did then. To them reaffirma.
ton of the Kansas City platform would be
to reaffirm Organism, Populism, free silvel
| and all the socialistic heresies and class
hatred doctrines promulgated by Bryan
/ during the campaign of 1900. They would
not support any candidate on platform
reaffirming the Kansas City platform
They could not without stultifying them
selves They might support Judge Parker
of New York, or some other Eastern Demo
crat with the knowledge that he voted fo
| Bryan, but it would have to be new
platform without any reaffirmation of tina
of 1900. Bryan says that platform mus
be reaffirmed and conservative Democrat
say it must not be, so there you are.
Mr.. Kern tries to bridge the matter owe
and suggest a way out. In his recent har
mony statement he says: 1.-The Indian;
Democracy are still in favor of every prin
ciple declared in the last national platform
that is applicable to existing issues, an,
will be in favor of so declaring in the mex
national platform" This sounds like har
mony, but what does its mean and how
would it be put in practice? Would eithe
the Bryanites the conservatives be salts
fed with resolution that the Democrati
party is in favor of every principle declares
in the Kansas City platform that is appli
cable to existing issues?
The Kansas City platform declared il
favor of 1.-The free and unlimited coinage o
silver and gold at the present legal rati
of Is to L. 1t denounced the national ban
currency as "a scheme for fastening upo
the taxpayers perpetual and growing deb
for the benefit of the banks" 1t denounce
the ADMINISTRATIONS Cuban policy as vic
lation of the pledge that the United State
did not intend to exercise permanen
sovereignty or control over the island.
declared that 1.-THE burning issue of i'm
perialism'' was 'the paramount issue of tn
| campaign" 1t declared that the Philip
pine policy of the administration mean
conquest abroad and intimidation and or
preston at home and would result in mair
tanning large standing army which woul
be "a constant menace to our liberties"
1t is not surprising that both conserve
tive and progressive Democrats are am
ious to get away from a platform ths
events have rendered obsolete The confer
ton that it shall be reaffirmed is solely
the interest of Bryan. Mr.. Kern's sugge:
ton that the party declare in favor
every principle in the Kansas City pla
: form that is applicable to existing issues
equivalent to a confession that most of
was put in for "buncOmbe."