The Washington herald., 1908-07-14
THE TWO PLATFORMS.
Tint OF Denver Expresses the Hope
of the People.


of the People.
From the Philadelphia Record.
The contrast presented by the elements
composing the Chicago and Denver con-
ventions is not less great than that be-
tween the platforms Of principles enun-
ciated by The two parties. In the Chicago
platform IS the cautious work Of a body
Of bureaucrats and representatives Of the
trusts and mOnopolies, anxious 10 concili-
ate the people and at the same time pre-
serve all the privileges they have wrested
from the people This Is conspicuously
betrayed by the evasive tariff resolution,
with It's intent to maintain the existing
system Of spoilation and to delude the
nation with a promise OF reform The
same spirit pervades the entire Chicago
platform. As a consequence. the Repub-
hcan platform is already well-nigh dis
missed from public consideration.
In constructing the Democratic plat
form, the convention at Denver has fully
responded TO the demands Of the coun-
try. As a convention OF the people. by
the people, and for the people, It could
AAOA llANH NUAI NAcN- 4 lAG IAhAANA III 0lANl
more mirrors the great cardinal prInci-
pies Of tho Democracy and thus viii be
acceptable TO al genuine Democrats, con-
servatives, and radicals alike. The hopes
OF q Democratic victory In November
would have been completely destroyed in
the outstart had the candidate. who is
not the favorite OF a strong element of
Democratic voters. been placed on a weak
platform inviting attack from all quar-
ters. But thanks 10 the wisdom and per-
suasive power OF Alton b. Parker, the
Democratic candidate OF four years ago.
and Of other conservative statesmen, this
danger is averted, and instead of a dis
cordant and divided party, the Democ-
racy enters the campaign with union and
harmony Of purpose and opinion inscribed
upon all its banners. In view Of the con-
fiicts that are likely 10 arise I'm a great
popular assemblage Ike this at Denver.
the result Is as unexpected as II is auspi-
cious
In regard to the three danger points
that confronted the convention. one Of
IL I'm, the injunction question. as solved
by the platform need not cause alarm
10 the most conservative mind. A reso-
luton having the approval Of so eminent
a Democratic jurist as Alton 3. Parker
(who IS accredited with It's authorship
VIII hardly fail 70 meet the hearty APP
prOval Of all Democrats. The declara-
ton FOR an income tax IS modified by
the condition Of an amendment OF the
Federal Constitution 20 that effect A
peculiar feature of the income tax ques-
ton is that II the Republican party. with
its prodigaLty OF expenditure and its
Imperialism. be longer kept in power. the
tax VIII become an absolute necessity
on the Other hand, IL the Democracy
shall be restored TO control Of the gov
ernment, there viii be no need Of ar
income tax under its policy Of economic
administration. The practical danger OF
a Federal tax on incomes Is, therefore
in the Republican party. AS for the
third danger point, the physical valua-
ton Of the railroads" the platform sur.
rounds It by such conditions as TO make
IL quite harmless. We will have far ad-
vanced toward the middle OF this century
before the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion viii have accomplished the enormous
task of railroad appraisement with 6
view 10 legislation.
On the whole. the work OF the conven-
ton has been well done. The enuncia.
ton OF principles emanates from the peo-
pie Gas the Chicago platform notoriously
does nOD. and II should be followed by
success at the ballot box.