Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-08
he Democratic Platform and the Opinion of the Nato

elIIeF progressive VI Pe'I4iO'iC III
zens.
Arizona and New Mexico are
welcomed by the Democracy into
the United States. and while these
states were admitted under a Re
publican administration, their adj
mission was largely due to the ac-
tivity of the Democrats in congress
in their behalf.
The plank in the Democratic
platform in regard to Alaska is an
excellent one and every effort
should be made to make its pro-
visions speedily operative.
The plank in regard to the Rus
sian treaty should in common JUS
tice and generosity include COM
pliment to President Taft for his
splendid work in abrogating that
treaty
The question involved is a ques-
ton which affected every Ameri-
can citizen and affected the dignity
and honor of the nation as whole
The Jews might have been more
intimately affected than any other
class of our citizenship, but every
citizen was affrOnted by the failure
of Russia to recognize the passport
issued by our government to any
citizen.
Mr.. Taft may have earned, the
special gratitude of our Jewish cit
liens, but he has also earned to a
high degree the approval and ap-
plause of every patriotic American
citizen who feels that the dignity of
our country should be upheld and
the honor of our government sus-
tanned throughout the world
In the plank on the parcels post
and rural delivery the Democrats
might again in justice and gener-
oSlty have praised President Taft.
under whose administration the
rural delivery and parcels post are
being developed
ana IN the plank on the Panama
canal exposition the Democrats
could properly have arisen above
party lines and paid some commit
ment to the Taft administration
winch did so much for the Panama
exposition and to the Roosevelt adj
mlnlstration which made the PAN
anna canal possible.
The platform concludes with an
empty plank and hollow uttaranoa
relating to the rule Of the peopIe."
winch could have emanated on1v
from William Jennings Bryan. and
when 1t would be an insult to
attribute to any other member of
the platform committee.
Inc whole progressive nrooran,
IS based upon genuine and sin
cere policy of restoring the power
VI government to the hands Of tho
people. Without this power of
government reposed in the hands of
the people, it is impossible for the
people to accomplish any of the re-
forms which this platform or moro
genuine platforms may declare for
Inc failure, therefore. to restore
the power Of government to the
people, or to indicate means nv
Whlch the power of government can
De restored to the people, is high
treason to the progressive cause
NO trading, trimming traitor ever
evolved more reasonable plank
than the one which concludes the
Democratic platform.
AS far back as five wears aoo
William Jennings Bryan declared
IN speech in Brooklyn that the
fundamental principles of progress
slVe Democracy We're the initia-
tive, the referendum, the recall and
direct primaries, and no Democrat
could be recognized as a Democrat
VINO did not believe in these prin-
ciples.
And yet Mr.. Bryan puts forth
this protested progressive Demo-
cratic platform without one refer
ence to the initiative, the referan-
dunn, the recall or even direct pri-
maries.
rms Is either contemplate COW.
ardlce or disgraceful treacherv and
should be branded as such.
1t must be- and may be meant to
De particularly embarrassing 10
1t. wilson, who but lately became
a convert to the cause of progress,
S!Ve democracy and to the nrin-
clpIes OF the initiative, the referen-
dum' the recall and direct prima-
rieS. 20 ma
DR.. Wilson has, however ad,,o-
Gated these principles with the ar
uor OF a new convert and has CON
Ninced many of his sincerity.
How will Or. Wilson stand an
this plank in this platform? viii
ne be compelled to return to his
former reactiOnary views or viii
ne fepudlate Bryan and Rrvan's
reasonable plank and declare hold
~ ana oraVely for direct primaries
and direct legislation, the essential
principles of the progressive causa3
This platform as a whole is NJ
PldtIorIn Tor a progressive to stand
on IL is a compromise from he
ginning to end. 1t is a cowardIv
evasion in nearly every plank II
lacks courage and it lacks con
Structive policy.
us policy throughout is A no1icv
OF opposition, without the suhs+i-
luton of practicable plan TO anv
policy it opposes.
Whether this is due to Ignorance
or lnslncerity is immateriaI II
9eprlVes the progressives OF ali
nope IN the Democratic party. II
ueprlVes the citizens of the coun+,,,
Of all confidence in tho D,,,,,.l..'