Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-04
The Massachusetts Threat.

ton Of Governor RUSSELL in regard to the
free coinage of silver. No. II is too plain
in its terms 20 be misapprehended VI
course it is open TO him to say what he
meant by il, and TO explain IL away If 1t rs
susceptible of an Interpretation which he
neither expected nor desired TO be put
upon il. and especially if 1t has had such
an Interpretation put upon IT. We take 1t
iust ms it appeared in the news
papers the morning after II was made by
Governor RUSSELL and find in il a distinct
threat that the Democrats Of Massachu-
setts will bolt the nomination Of the next
Democratic National Convention if the
nominee of that body should be Governor
CAMPBELL. or any other man who holds
the views on the silver question which
have been set forth az sound Democratic
doctrine by the State Democratic Conven-
tions Of twenty-three States-Democrati
States at that, good many Of them.
Ipasmuch as Governor RUssELL's threat
has become a subject Of controversy in the
Democratic papers. we deem it proper to
let our readers see il again that they may
put their own construction upon 1t. it Is
as follows:
"Massachusetis believes in a sound currency.
She will not lend her did 10 any movement,
whatever may he Its source and however honest
may be iis purpose, which in its result would de-
base our currency, uAsottle credit, impair values.
and give 10 labor In deprecated money less
than Its Just dues. Her people sincerely believe
that such n movement mistakes the remedy for
a Just grievance and will but add TO the distress
II seeks % relieve"
What movement is il that threatens 10
"debase our currency? 1t is the move
ment in which the Democrats of Ohio took
the lead when they nominated Governor
CAMPBELL for reelection, and put him upon
q platform containing silver plank. This
language is disrespecttul in the highest
degree 70 the sIlverites. but we do not
think there can be any doubt that Gov
ernor RUSSELL had the Buckeye Democracy
in his mind when be said the Democrats of
Massa chusetts would refuse to lend their
aid to any movement, ,rhdfeoer D,dg be as
source" which would "debase our curren-
cy" by putting silver upon an equality
with gold at the minis Whatever may
be its source" That is, whether it comes
from a southern newspaper or from Dem
ocratic State convention IN Ohio. Why
not ? What reason can Governor RUSSELL
give for thus assuming that the Democrats
Of Massachusetts-a State that never joins
the Democratic ranks at presidential
election-will not support the next Demo
cratic national nominee? Like FALsTAFT
he has reasons as plenty as blackberries.
He would not open the mints because the
Democrats of the Republican States, diff
fering III opinion on this point with the
Democrats Of the Democratic States, be
lievo that to do so would be to "unsettle
credits" impair values" and substitute
for good currency deprecated one
which would deprive the workingmen of
portion of the fruits Of their labors.
Under these circumstances what IS to be
done? Are the Democrats in Congress to
take the back track on The silver question!
Are the Democrats of Ohio to apologize
for coming out on the side of the people
Are the Democrats OF the great Northwest,
the Pacific States, the Rocky Mountain
States, and the southern States to fall
down before the demoralized Democrats
of q State horelessly Republican and beg
70 be pardoned for not having consulted
that spurious Democracy before preparing
platform upon which to stand during the
current year! Shall we follow bad example
and declare in our State conventions and
through tho Democratic papers that we
will not lend our aid to any movement
whatever may be its source, and however
honest may be its purpose which
threatens to enslave the farmers, the work
ingmen, and the merchants to capitali-
which proposes TO allow Wall-street cur
rency-tinkers and ignorant monopolists to
convert the best circulating medium in the
world-to wit, silver coins-into q mere
commodity
No The Democrats Of the whole Union
must keep step to the music Of united
party, and assemble in national conven-
ton next year bent upon nominating and
electing as the next President of the
United States Democrat who Is ready TO
mount q genuine Democratic platform
whether they concur fully or not in every
one Of its utterances. United. we stand.
DIVIDED, we fall" But threats from Mas
sachusetts can never result in united
Democracy. She must be willing to so
where the party goes.