Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-08-17
Dem ocrat. in Active Hostility.

The platform adopted at st. Louis is
patchwork compromise, and as
whole does not satisfy either the con-
servative or the radical elem hts of the
Democracy. 1t is platitul 4ous and
commonplace. II presents no para
mount issue and offers nothing that
will commend 1t TO the Intelligent judg-
ment of the country. 1t speaks OF
fundamental principles and defines
none not now recognized and in opera
ton. 1t gals for economy and hon
esty ia the administration of the gov
eminent. which is desired by every cit
lien The record Of Democratic adj
ministration. however. offers 10 guar
anty that If that party should again be
restored to power it would practice
economy.
On the tariff 1t maintains the par
tvs traditional position, denouneing
protection as robbery and favoring a
tariff for revenue only. The first draft
of the platform took conservative po-
sition on this question, but the anti
protection element was able to carry
its demand and place the party again
In an attitude of hostility to the indus
tries of the country whose mainte-
nance and development are essential
to the welfare of labor. In ignoring
the money question the sound money
Democrats made an inglorious surren-
der to the radical element which places
the party in an embarrassing position.
Ii leaves as the only authoritative dec
laratlon of the Democracy on this ques-
ton the money plank of the Kansas
City platform. That this will seriously
trouble the party in the campaign is
LOT to be doubted. 1t will not be suffi-
cient for it TO say that the money g
sue is dead. in view of the fact that
hundreds of thousands Of Democrats
are still devoted TO silver. and that
their Representatives in the national
convention were able TO prevent COM
hitting the party to the gold stand
ard.
The denunciation Of trusts and com
bihatious expresses a practically uni
versal sentiment Republicans are
as strongly opposed to monopoiistic
combinations as are Democrats, and
the former have shown their hostility
by enacting and enforcing antitrust
legislation. The st. louis platform Of
fers no practicable pan or proposition
for dealing with trusts and combi-
nations, which is qui e in keeping with
the failure of the Democratic party to
enact any antitrust legislation when
it was in control of the executive and
legislative branches of the govern
ment. The deliverance In regard to
the Philippines will give little encour-
agement to those in, the island who
are hoping for independence. 1t car
ries the promise to the Filipino people
of Independence at some indefinite
time and under certain conditons-a
promise that Will not only be disap-
pointing to the island people, but also
to the so-called anti-lmperialists of this
country. 1t is perhaps unnecessary to
point ont. In this connection, what
ought to be oby lous to all men of in
telligent discrimination, that there is
really no parallel between the cases of
Cuba and the Philippines.
There are some features of the plat
form which all citizens can approve,
for example, the declaration favoring
larger powers for the Interstate Com
merce Commission and that for main
tanning the Monroe doctrine, but as q
whole the platform rs weak and will
not make a favorable impression rpon
the thoughtful ard discriminating
Omaha Bee