Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-14

Mr.. Cleveland's letter on silver has aroused
an overwhelming sentiment against him in both
the House and Senate, as il appears now. The
eastern men are praising his courage and de-
claring that he is right Republicans who do
not favor free coinage praise him without stint,
but the great mass of democrats are too angry to
attempt to conceal their feelings. The anti-free
coinage democrats in Congress are but few and
they have had very little to say during this
Congress, chiefly for the reason that the
party was threaten ed with the passage of the
federal elections bill and it was no time for di-
visions. But these men believe that Mr.. Cleve-
land is right and that he will regain his pres
tige before the next national convention. They
point out the necessity Of carrying New York IL
the democrats are to elect the next President
can carry that state with Q free coin
age man. They think that the
party managers will discover, when they pause
to consider, that it is not wise to adopt the
Farmers Alliance platform and sacrifice every
thing to their anxiety to secure the votes of the
discontented element which caused the up
heaval in the west on the 4th of November.
This is the talk of the few: the many are clam
oring for the RELOCATION Of Mr.. Cleveland to the
rear and for a holder move toward the position
OF the western az, iculturists.
OTHER PROBLEMS.
The unexpected result Of the November
election has put an entirely different face upon
the political situation and both parties are
confronted with problems which are difficult
OF solution. The democrats have now to decide
whether they will remain tariff reformers
merely or follow a radical or even revolution
airy course to secure the support of the dis
contented classes throughout the country. who
are protesting against the present condition
and clamoring for change, with little regard
tn what the CHI uO irhf 10 The oil
ton is hardly one of those which has revolu-
tionary character, but it affects the business
interests OF the whole country, and the adj
vocacy OF free coinage being a thing upon
which the Farmers Alliance and kindred Or
ga1Hatons are agreed upon q large number
OF democrats in Congress regard it as an issue
upon which they join hands with the
farmers and mechanics and secure votes in the
west and northwest. The sentiment through
out these sections which caused the uprising Of
last November Is that of opposition to high
tariff, to all special legislation in the interest
OF the wealthy manufacturing. commercial and
banking classes, which, however, they advocate
in their own interest, and the advocacy Of free
trade and free silver is among their cardinal
principles. On the tariff question Mr.. Cleve-
land was supposed to have an immense follow
ing among these people, but their roads
parted after leaving this question. A problem
with the democratic politicians is how to get
the votes ties Of the people generally included
X
many have counted upon tariff reform and
free coinage Of silver two things which
would gain the support Of the farmers.
The democrats have not been united
on the silver question, but probably
three-quarters Of those in Congress are in favor
OF free coinage. 1t is believed that this propo-
sition will by no means hold good throughout
the country, and 1t is not one issue alone which
will hold the party together. The conservative
democrats believe, whether they are silver men
en- fhA dan nff raa nntn NC
that the party can succeed better, and that it
will be for the general good to accomplish one
reform and fight out one issue before taking
up another. They are united on the tariff re-
form platform, Mr.. Cleveland is their leader,
having made this issue clear and unequivocal,
and they are endeavoring to hold the party to-
this and keep it from wandering off on side
issues. If they once begin to follow the farm
ers demagoeic subservience there is no telling
where 1t will lead them to. From this time
until the democratic national convention there
will be u struggle between those democrats who
are inpatient to enlarge their platform So as to
take in all the factions and isms and those who
wish to keep the one issue Of reform and econ
omy before the people until that reform is COM
pleted. The introd uction of other issues upon
which there is not an agreement the conserva-
tives fear will divide the party and make their
work on those things upon which they do agree
less effective.
CONSTITUTION OF THE NEXT CONGRESS.
The next Congress will be a curiously con-
structed body. With probably a considerable
element Of socialis m, or communism, it will be
difficult to control and the conservative demo-
Gratis will have to stand close together to pre-
vent departure from well-established demo-
cratic principles. The Farmers Alliance ele-
ment will not be strong enough to control, ex-
cept through the fears of those men who do
not agree with them, but who are not cour-
ageous enough to directly antagonize them.
These alliance men will represent strange COM
bination of old democratic principles, vision
AIRY theories and communicate ideas. Their ex-
istepce is protest against the condition Of af-
fairs which has existed q long while. They be-
lieve they have been legislated into q state of
poverty and desperation being taxed in the
mined to have redress. The question is
whether they shall be satisfied with correcting
existing abuses. or shall create new abuses of a
retaliatory character, Of which they themselves
shall be the beneficiaries The conservative
democrats, those who maintain that their party
must adhere to the platform upon which they
have stood during the Last presidential cleo
ton. feel that Mr.. Cleveland must be their
leader, regardless OF his views on the silver
question, and that the issue must still be tariff
reform. The republicans will be in no posi-
ton to make free coinage an issue IL Mr..
Cleveland is nominated. they being divided on
this question as the democrats are most Of
them agreeing with Cleveland, and upon the
tariff only can the fight be made with him as
the democratic candidate. The silver question
might make an issue at another time.
DENocRArIc VIEW OF IT.
A SrAR reporter had - long talk today with
Representative Breckinridge Of Arkansas, who
is careful observer Of events and student Of
politics. 'The people," he said, 'who gave
expression to their dissatisfaction with the
present condition at the last election are those
who have been systematically robbed by class
legislation. They have been taxed In the
interest Of certain commercial and manufac.
turing classes: they have been assessed to make
capitalists; they have been robbed as on the
highway, and though the robberies have been
in the form Of law they have been none the less
criminal, and the people know it They know
that they have been grossly wronged; that they
have been reduced to poverty, and the suffering
Of their wives and children is both proof and a
protest against present conditions and an
appeal for redress. The question is will they be
satisfied to stop the wrong. or will they who
have been robbed turn in and now plumber the
robbers. The democratic party stands for con-
stitutional reform, opposed alike to oppression,
revolution and socialism. What they demand
and are striving for is . correction Of existing
abuses and not retaliation by the establishment
Of other abuses. Therepublicans by their long
and utter disregard Of the rights OF the COM
mon people have excited bitter and growing OBJ
position, which may, il reforms are not soon
started. sweep both their and our organisations