Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-06-11
REPENT AND REcANT.
IN orfolk Virginia-Pilot).

we are opposed to all sumptuary
law as an interference with the indi-
vloual rights of the citizen. Demo
cratic National Platform, Chicago, 1892.
The Times Dispatch comments with
approving credulity on the report that
Judge Parker is to be chairman of the
Committee on Resolutions at the Den
yer convention and is to write the de-
claration of faith on which the party
will appeal to the country this Fall. The
idea seems to the Virginia-Pilot to
be tarfetched to the point of incredi-
oihty. Mr.. Bryan will undoubtedly con-
troll and direct every step in the organi-
zation of the National Convention. and
1t is dollars to doughnuts that he will
entrust the building of the platform, on
which he is to stand, to no hand not in
spired by himself. Whatever be his po-
htical faults, he is not subservient to
other mems opinions nor willing to pur-
chase honors by the surrender of his
own, and it is hazsrding nothing to
say that he would decline the nomina-
ton unless permitted to dictate practi-
cally the spirit and wording of the
party creed.
But whoever of whatever element
may prepare the platform, nothing is
more certain than that the Jeffersonian
principle printed above will not be pro-
mulgated by this years Convention.
The doctrine that was most repugnant
to the great founder of American Dem
ocracy has become the chief corner
stone in the militant creed of the mod
ern edition. Paternalism, in all its
shades and forms, is now the desider-
alum to be sought in government. To
be Democrat in the sense now popu-
larly accepted is to deny nearly every
thing which the name formerly con-
veyed, and to champion theories and
practices in antagonism to which the
name acquired significance. Strict Con-
struction, States Rights, Hard Money.
Home Rule-the distinctive columns of
the party's foundations-have been
abandoned or sit lightly on the politi-
cal consciences of the latter day disci-
pies. The division between Church and
State has come to be so loosely con-
strued as to be obsolete. Democrats
applaud Republican President when
he breaches Nationalism and practices
notification. The warp and wool of an
clent Democracy have been worn
threadbare. Opportunism is the rule of
the hour. Any fad is straddled that
has momentary favor with the popu-
lace. Why should it be expected that
IN this general wreck of principles and
presidents the party should remain
hrm against the Entertainments on in
dlvldual rights, or re-affirm devotion to
the fundamental faith of the fathers in
that respect. The cult of the Pharisee
and the Puritan is all prevailing. 1t is
actually a serious issue in Georgia
whether the Democratic candidates
for the Office or Governor allow their
children TO dance. We expect to see
the time when to wear anv but a sad
countenance and a drab coat will be
a legal disqualification to holding office
IN any Southern State. The tenets of
the Puritans have captured the citadel
OF the Cavaliers, and the shovel-hats
and snival-noses will soon insist on
statutes which will make every citizen
walk by the footrule of the Pharisee
and prove the truth of torment hereaf-
ter by establishing a Sheol on earth.
Inc Punishment of cakes and ales and
sklttles and beer will be followed by
the eXpatriation of kisses, smiles, I'D
dies and freedom of religious con-
science OF course the Democratic party
must follow the fashion.