New-York tribune., 1891-05-25
THE PARTY OF BLUFF.

If they are truly represented, $4,000 Alliance
members in Virginia are mainly Democrats, and
intend to vote the Democratic Presidential ticket
unless Mr.. Cleveland is nominated. In thao
event. their leaders assert, they will vote with
third party. 1t would be wise for all people IN
terested not to place too much commence IN
these predictions on either side. The Repubh-
can marty is not likely to lose as much IN some
States. nor the Democratic party in others, as
rersons who are anxious to dictate the pohcy
of either would like to have everybody beheVe'
Rmf is Western and Southern game. A re-
volver with not cartridge in it answers just as
we'll If the other party weakens. There may
he instances in which one unarmed man has
frightened and bullied two who were each more
nowerful and well armed, but they are not
numerous, The chances are not in favor OF
movement to force two parties into SUBMISSION
by threatening both at once. The passionate
pyrotechnics of the so-called Peoples party are
exceedingly apt to end as the EXPERIMENT. OF
Henry George did in the contest for Mayor; the
party which naturally has the best chance IN
each State is likely to receive enough votes, from
former opponents if not from former friends, TO
insure the defeat of an antagonist who threatens
both.
The Southern Alliance men are making 1t
clear that they are Democrats. They want con-
cessions from their party, ii they can get any
but they are Democrats nevertheless. Inc dls-
closure of that fact will help powerfully to re-
call to their senses the Western Republicans who
have hoped for new party, but not for mere
tail to the Democratic kite. Where there is one
Alliance leader who avows his readiness to throw
oIo int HOusn. know
ing that the Democrats will there elect there
will probably be found thousand Alliance vot-
ers who will take no part in such proceeulis'
When the Republicans who do not choose 10 be
used as tools by the Democracy have drawn out,
the force remaining may resemble some OF the
regiments which were recruited early IN the
war, all officers and no privates.
knowledge that Western Republicans cannot
be depended upon in such case will react upon
the DISPOSITION of Southern Democrats. They
might be induced to help new party, II the he
publican force were entirely and forever out or
the way. But it is stronger than ever at the
South, because protection Is winning favor with
men who care for industrial and business pros
perity and because such men see that nothing
but Republican tirmneSs stands against the
threatened deluge of monetary fanatlclsm. Inc
progressive policy of the Administration, proms-
ing vast expansion of trade with the West
Indies, Mexico, Central and South America,
gains hosts of friends. Democrats have always
at their hands the plea that negro domination
would follow any weakening of Democracy, and
the multitude will be swayed by this plea, so
that Western or Southern dreamers who look
for great rupture in that quarter are hable 10
fare no better than the rainbow -chasers OF 1888.
Who may be nominated by the Democrats Will
make less difference to Democratic voters than
their contending leaders pretend. These lead
ers are just now using the Alliance as lever TO
hoist their favorites into nomination and them
selves into office, exactly as some Republicans
are trying with the same lever to pry the Repub-
ican party out of its well-settled principles.
But when the time comes, the great body of
Democratic voters take any ticket that their
convention prescrbes, just as certainly as they
90 to the family doctor when sick. The thought
ful, intelligent and business men, who know
what dangers are ahead, are those who may
change their votes, but are not the men to vote
for unlimited loans Of paper on lands and
products.
The Republican party ought to have sense
and courage enough to offer to such men of
every party their only sure refuge against a
financial deuge. They have seen it tried. They
know with what determination it has defended
public credit and honest money. They can SEQ
day by day how greatly its policy promises to
benefit the country in its industries and its
foreign trade. The more dangerous the Alliance
appears the greater the probability that sensible
business men of every shade of past political be-
lief will turn to the Republican ticket as their