Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-04-27


notorious abuse are shown.
The New York World Jolts the Hill
Parker Platform.
II we can correctly understand
the English language, the New York
World for several days prior to the
recent democratic convention in its
state, favored the adoption Of just
such a platform as the one that was
finally approved. But now, when
everyone is ridiculing the senseless,
nerveless thing, the World adds its
criticisms and talks just as though
it never favored such Jelly fish
document. Its criticisms are lengthy
but they are we'll worth reading.
They are as follows:
l. The omission of a declar-
alton in favor of the historic
Democratic principle Of sound
money seems to us a great
mistake. When caution becomes
timidity-or worse than that, trim
ming lit is an element of weakness.
The question is sure to be raisedi in the
campaign: Is the Democratic party
in favor Of honest money, as now
defined and maintained by law, or
is it still tainted with the heresies
and decisions proclaimed in 1896
and reaffirmed in 1900 ?" This
doubt must be removed from the
minds Of the people by the national
platform Or by the Presidential can
didate, or the party will have no
chance Of success in the election.
The mere fact that the New York
Convention lodges this question
must have a bad effect upon the
country.
2. The abandonment Of the pro-
test against the Philippine acquisi-
ton and the general policy of i'm
perial coloniaGsn, which was SO just,
" and forcibly made in the Kansas
City platform, is a second mistake
of short sighted politics more and
worse trimming" If the doctrines
Of the Declaration of Independence
are not Democratic there is no such
thing as as Democracy e tRsse-deeec.
trines are not violated and trampled
upon in our subjugation of the Fill
pinos and our government Of them
without their consent, then King
George III. was libelled and UNI
justly resisted by our forefathers.
Whatever the Democratic platform
makers may do. The World will
never cease to denounce the I'M
American and dangerous policy Of
militarism which leads to the con-
quest and forcible rule of distant
and alien peoples.
3. The declaration Of Opposition
to trusts and combinations that OPP
press the people and stifle healthy
industrial competition" is feeble and
pointless. No trust will admit that
it Expresses the people or stiles
healthy competition. Theyall make
affidavit that they do not. This
flabby language is the greater poll
teal blunder in view Of the splendid
opportunity afforded by the almost
incredible omission Of the Republi-
can Convention in President Roose-
velt's own State to make any men
ton whatever Of the subject.
Mr.. Roosevelt's notable achieve
ment in the anti-merger suit, and
his success in obtaining from Con-
gress a bureau Of Corporations
with power to examine the
books and affairs of all the
trusts, will enable him to supply
the calculating and cowardly omis-
sion in his State platform. Fort
unately Judge Parker is not bound
by the timidities of the Albany
platform. He can, as Mr.. Cleveland
did in 1892, make his own platform
on the great, living issues, and he
must do so if he is to carry New
York. No doubt he appreciates the
fact that nothing can hurt him more
with the people than a suspicion
that his election is desired by those
gentlemen in Wall street who OPP
pose President Roosevelt because Of
his attack upon illegal trusts and
monopolies. e
4. The selection Of the four dele
gates-at-large was another mistake.
The names are disappointing.
They will command neither respect
at home nor influence at st. Louis,
Mr.. Hill is "narrow-gauge" poll
tician with a long series Of plumbers
and failures to his discredit. Elk
Senator Murphy, a protectionist and
one Of the perfdious managers of
the Wilson tariff reform bill, is a
''has BEEN. Mr. Ridgway is known
politically as simply an unimportant
: member Of the Brooklin local ma
chine, AS for Mr.. Ehret, he is a
successful brewer, without educa-
ton, destitute Of political know
ledge, experience or Standing
mere money-bag.
To add to the incongruities be-
tween the platform and the men
selected to represent it, the name OF
James T. Woodward, the astute
President Of the Hanover Bank and
prominent member of the Morgan
gold syndicate that bedevilled Presi-
dent Cleveland's Administration
combination which The World had
the pleasure Of smashing-appears
as tt, first Presidential electoral
large! Why and wherefore Wood
ward?