Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-04-29
THE NEW YORK PLATFORM.
VIM. J. Bryan Sounds His Note Of
Discord,


armory of the Second infantry, at the
corner of Curtis street and Washing
ton boulevard, Chicago. The place was
packed to its utmost capacity, and
large number Of people were unable
to get through the doors. The meeting
was entirely an affair Of Mr.. Bryan's,
he having rented the armory and paid
all the expenses Of the meeting. He
was particular to have 1t understood
that his address was not in favor OF
or against any particular aspirant for
the Democratic nomination for the
presidency. His subject was, "The New
York Platform" and he repeated sew
eral times during the course Of his ad-
dress that he was discussing measures
only, and not men.
In order that his address might not
have the appearance Of being delivered
under any particular political influence,
or in the interest Of any special fac
ton. Mr.. Bryan was his own presiding
officer, and introduced himself to his
hearers.
Mr.. Bryan said all doubt as to Judge
Parker's views had been dispelled by
the adoption of the New York plat
form, and he thought he could prove
Parkers unfitness for nomination by
the Democratic party, or any other
party that stands for honesty and fair
dealings in politics.
He then proceeded to review Of the
issues now before the country, includ-
ing the trusts, Imperialism, the labor
question, the tariff, the money ques-
tion, income tax. election Of senator's
by the people, and declared the New
York platform was silent upon all these
issues.
1.-The New York platform" Mr.. Bry-
an continued, ''is dishonest plat
form, fit only for dishonest party.
No one but an artful dodger would
stand upon 1t. The submission Of such
a platform to the voters Of a state
is an insult to their intelligence, for It
is intended to deceive them, and de-
liberate attempt to deceive-especially
50 clumsy an attempt as this platform
isis reflection upon the brains Of
those to whom it Is submitted.
"Can anyone doubt that, with -uch
a platform as was adopted in New
York, and with candidate whose con-
science would permit him to run upon
such q platform-does anyone doubt
that with such a platform and a can
didate the party would be mortgaged
beforehand to the corporations that are
now using the government as a private
asset, and plundering the people at
will.
But there is another reason why the
Democratic party cannot afford to 60
before the country with an ambiguous
platform and an uncertain candidate.
No matter how people may differ as to
the relative Importance Of issues. all
must recognize that the trust question
today presents an important phase OF
the great conflict between plutocracy
and Democracy. We have recently had
a supreme court decision on the mer-
ger case. This decision was rendered
by bare majority Of one, and that one
(Judge Brewery, in separate opinion
has stated his position In such way
as to leave no doubt that In the first
case involving a trust he may join the
majority and defeat the Sherman law.
The president to be elected this fall
will doubtless have the appointment
Of one or two, and possibly three su-
preme court judges. II his sympathies
are with the corporations, he will
doubtless appoint judges satisfactory to
the porations-especially If obligat-
ed to the corporations by large cam
paign contributions, and these judges
can make it impossible to secure any
remedial legislation for years to come.
"The issue presented today in the
trust question, and In all the other
questions with which we have to deal,
is the question between human rights
and the so-called property rights'-or,
more properly speaking, between or
dinary people and the great corpora
tions. Those who believe that proper
ty rights are supreme take the side OF
the trusts. If we have president VINO
is In sympathy with this theory 1t
means that the dollar will be given
consideration before the man. 1t
means that organized wealth can con-
tinue to trample upon the rights OF the
people; 1t means that the instrument
talities Of government can be used Tor
the protection Of every scheme OF ex-
ploitation that the capitalist can con-
ceive.
I'VE ought to appeal to the con-
science Of the public and arraign Re
publican policies as hostile both 20
the principles of free government and
to the principles Of morality. We have
an opportunity to make the Democrat
ic party a power in this country-not
only a power, but power for good.
Let US array the party against every
abuse of government, and against
every policy that Is hurtful to the peo-
pie. Let us drive out Of the party
every Democrat who betrays his trust,
every official who would administer the
office for his private advantage.
"The New York platform is ambig-
uous, uncertain, evasive and dishonest.
It would disgrace the Democrats OF the
nation to adopt such a platform, and
it ought to defeat as an aspirant for
Democratic nomination any man who
would be willing to have it go forth as
declaration Of his views on public
questions. In Illinois, In Wisconsin,
| ,., hIiobiuan In Minnesota In Indiana.