Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1898 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

THE CHICAGO PLATFORM. The Chicago platform forced to the front in this country a question which can never be forced into the background until it is settled. That is, whether the control of the currency, and of trade depending on it, shall be exercised by the people or by corporations, by the Government under just laws, or by alien plutocracy in alliance with our trusts and syndicated corporations. No single question in politics could be of more fundamental importance than this, but the issues raised by the platform itself are far broader, deeper and stronger than any question of the control of the currency can be. The platform is a stand for popular government, for civil liberty, for home rule, for true Americanism and all it represents, against coercive government and all It means. Shall we maintain the government of the fathers of the Constitutional Union of Washington and Jefferson, or, rejecting it, shall we accept the imperialism of Russia and of England? The plutocracy of London and Wall street, against whose domination in America the Chicago platform was adopted in protest, is the determined foe of democracy and of republican institutions. To recede from the platform would be to surrender the future of America to the enemies of American liberty and sovereignty. Democrats will never do it. They are ready to do for this new declaration of Americanism all that the Americans of x 770 did to give validity to the Declaration of Independence. Japan’s Gold Experiment. While Republicans are trying to make the people of the United States believe that the gold standard is a good thing, Japan is learning a lesson of distress through adopting the creed of gold. Industrial conditions in the Flowery Kingdom have passed from bad to worse, and the year 1897 was marked by the greatest depression In manufacturing circles. In his report on Japan’s industrial condition A. H. Hay, of the British legation at Tokio, says: “The cotton-spinning industry, on which such great hopes were based, has already suffered severely. At the end of the year many of the mills were financially in a precarious condition, and several small concerns in a state of bankruptcy.” In commenting on this, report the London Financial News remarks: “These are the mills whose prosperity not many months ago we were able to cite as indicating how comfortably a silver using country could compete with Lancashire. In the early part of last year the Japanese spinners were doing uncommonly well, and the belief that all the surplus yarn would find a ready market in China was being realized. The year’s exports of yarn to China reached 40,366,389 pounds, against only 15.256,116 pounds in 1896. The future seemed roseate, but, in Mr. Lay’s words, ‘the adoptiou of a gold standard in October, together with the fall in silver and the enhanced cost of labor and fuel, doomed these expectations to disappointment.’ Here we have cause and effect set alongside In a way that should impress the Indian Government, if It can for a moment emerge from its own narrow preoccupations so far as to look ou currency and exchange as factors influencing the whole life and prosperity of a country, and not merely the settlement of a foreign debt charge.” Japan Is paying dearly for its desire to imitate the “most civilized nations” and placing itself on a gold standard. Foreign trade has fallen off, manufacturing has declined, and just at present a panic Is threatening the country. Truly the gold standard is a good thing—to let alone.—Chicago Dispatch. No More Sam-Randallism. The letter In which Hon. William J. Stone, of Missouri, advised the eviction of Harrity, the Pennsylvania goldbug, from the Democratic National Committee, is a landmark In the history we are making as a country. For year after year, Samuel J. Randall, who was put to the front by the same element which put Harrity forward, prevented the Democratic party from acting on the tariff issue. Those who thought they could do with Harrity what they did with Randall, see now that they are dealing with new conditions and with different men. In writing to Chairman Jones, Gov. Stone says that “many of the so-called gold Democrats In the party are in a state of mutiny, and are more disposed to co-operate with the Paimer-Buckner Contingent, to undo what was accomplished at Chicago, than they are vo co-operate with the true Democracy In upholding It.” This is the vital point. It Is so vital that had there been any other action than that actually taken; had the committee compromised with Harrity and thus opened the Way for the Paimer-Buckner element to control the Democratic party, there would have been no party left. Now the party will trample down obstructionists and drive out traitors. There will be no weakening anywhere—least Q's all at Springfield, when Missouri Democrats meet to decide between the Chicago platform and its enemies. Friend of Anglo-American Alliance. It must be evident to all that the Republican party 1s wholly responsible for all that has so far been done In the way of an Anglo-American alliance so distasteful to the people of the country. As this same question is inseparable from the great financial issue, it is not strange to see the gold standard advocates willing to seal the culmination of their infamous policy by an alliance with the nation responsible for the whole monometallic system that is now cursing all mankind. In the campaign of 1896 we tried to make it plain that the Republican party was being aided by British money, and that If the Republican candidates were elected Great Britain would be prompt In collecting the Indebtedness. We all know that ever since the day that McKinley took his seat British influences have been dominant at Washington. So the Republican party has sought to favor an alliance with our traditional foe. This Is a glorious day for Democracy. The people more clearly understand the position of the Republican party. It has succumbed to the influence of the British gold. Its candidates of 1900 will have to face the American people on the record now being made. Democrats Are Loral. Patriotism is characteristic of Democracy. Through the patriotism of the members of Congress all ‘partisan advantages were ignored when the discussion of war measures was first begun at the capltol. The patriotic attitude lias not been changed, although Republicans have constantly

used war a a a means by which to advance their party interests. In the platform adopted by the Democrats at the Indiana State convention the loyalty of the Democratic party to the country was confirmed and its support pledged to the Government in the war with Spain. All effort of Republicans to place the Democratic party in the opposition will fall. As a matter of fact the Democrats were the earliest and strongest advocates of war, and their views on this subject have suffered no reversal. When the Indiana convention approves the war and rejoices In the heroic deeds of Dewey and Hobson It echoes the sentiments of every Democrat In the land, and its action meets with hearty approval from Democrats everywhere. No Compromise with Gold. There should be no compromise made by Democrats which will place a gold advocate on a Democratic ticket Approval of the gold standard is the main doctrine of the Republican faith and it is not good politics, nor is it good sense, for Democrats to help elect Republicans to office. Gold Democrats are assistant Republicans. They have no right to ask a true Democrat for his vote. They have no claim upon the suffrage of the Democratic party. If they want office they should ask it of their allies, the Republicans, and not the party they deserted in the time of need. Loyalty to silver is the test of Democracy. On the issue as to a currency based on gold and silver and a currency based on the money of the constitution the campaign of 1896 was fought. Over six and a half million votes were cast by Democrats in favor of bimetallism. As the Democrats fought in 1896 so will they fight in 1898. Only Democrats should be named on Democratic tickets, and men who defended the gold standard are not Democrats. Let there be no mistake about that. Keep gold Democrats off the tickets.—Chicago Dispatch. Pai-suing; an Elusive Shadow, We are preparing to give the world an illustration of Aesop's fable. We have already discovered the shadow of Imperialism and with the instincts of the dog we are preparing to drop the substance of free government and plunge Into the water after the shadow of empire. Once this nation becomes intoxicated with the ambition of Alexander we will not stop while there are other countries to conquer, unless the allied armies of the world meet at some Waterloo. The Republican party is squarely committed to an Anglo:American alliance. That is just where we want that party. Let it openly favor an alliance with England and we will rout it horse, foot and artillery In November. —National Democrat. Hanna’s Friends. “A man who charges the government three prices for something the government needs and must have,” says the Baltimore American, “can hardly expect to have his name put down on the roll of American patriots.” Perhaps not, but he will not be lonesome, all the same. There are nearly as many of him probably on the pay roll as there are of patriots on the army roll.—Charleston News and Courier. Galling- to the Germans. We have always told the Germans that the narow Republican party has no use for the Germans except on election days. Every Republican paper from Maine to California is now falsely and maliciously making the statement that the German people are against us in this war. This must be galling to the Germans who have always supported the Republican party. —Exchange. Republicans on the Defensive. It has been many a day since the Republican party in this State was compelled to apologize as they are now apologizing. And the trouble Is that the people do not know whether they are’ dictated by a sense of duty or for the purpose of getting votes.—Peoria Herald. Makes the “Grafter” Envious. Perhaps some of the imperialists have noted the Item that during the four years that General Weyler was Governor General of the Philippines at a salary of $40,000 a year, he was able to add to his private bank account over sl,ooo,ooo.—Manchester (N. H.) Union. Political Notes. Why not whip Spain out of Havana and be done with it? What is the use of all this fooling? We might have whipped Spain in six weeks if Hanna had been permitted by J. Pierpont Morgan. Republicans who voted for McKinley on his pledge to enforce the law against the trusts must be getting anxious by this time to see him begin. When Hanna claims that be was indorsed by Oregon he forgets to add that he did not ask Oregon to wialt for details of his bond graib before voting,. The more gold there is in the treasury, under the McKinley policy, the more money we have to borrow at interest to keep treasury gold out of circulation. What has become of the man who said McKinley would finish poor old Spain in six weeks, bond deal or n<? bond deal? Has he pulled the bole i» after him? Remember the McKinley administration, which is now taking $200,000,000 out of business for bonds, has another $200,000,000 locked up in the treasury to make the bonds necessary. Cuba must be freed—first from Spanish robbers, and then from the thieves of the sugar trust, who wish to subvert the Cuban republic and set up a carpetbagging government of their own. W T hen_the bond-grabbing banks take snuff the Hanna administration will sneeze. And thereupon the army and navy will be allowed to take Havana and end the war. The people who are getting gold standard prices for cotton are not competing very strongly against the Roths-, ehilds syndicate for Mr. McKinley’s gold basis bonds. According to Russell Sage, the United States is governed from within hall a mile of his office. He means there is a cable office connecting Wall street with London, within half a mile of his establishment. He is undoubtedly right The tax imposed on options in the bond issue bill is offset by an equal tax on all sales of cash wheat thus making the whole tax one on handling grain, to be deducted by the handlers from the profits of the producers. Instead of being a tax on gambling by the Loiters, It made a tax on production by the farmers.