Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-17
THE ASSASSIN RUNS AMucK.
LETTER FROM GENERAL FIELD.
He 10 Opposed to Cleveland and Hill and
In Favor Of Voorhees,

He 10 Opposed to Cleveland and Hill and
In Favor of Voorhees,
To ne Editor of ne Dispdfch:
Ihsve read in the Sundays DrsrArcH
the interview with Judge Staples giving
the weak points of Mr.. Cleveland. and the
letter of Mr.. Guy giving the strong
points," Judge Staples is one OF the
wisest. sblest. and most experienced law
yers and statesmen now in the State. His
reputation has been made. IL well de-
served, and second TO more. Consee-
quently, his words are always wei
come. and his opinions always inhu-
State none give greater promise OF
future distinction and usefulness than
Mr.. Guy. 1t seems sad, indeed, that
two such men should differ so widely
upon question of party policy. MIR. Guy
claims for Mr.. Cleveland more than he de-
seryes-Judge Staples imputes to him no.
thing of which he has not been guilty:
The difference OF opinion OF the good and
great men of the Democratic party so
pointedly illustrated by Judge Staples and
Mr. Guy should eliminate Mr.. Cleveland
Democratic party. Judge Staples thinks he
could not be elected. So do |. Virginia
,rouh not ro,e for him. No Democrat will
be elected President whom Virginia does
not vote Tor. Judge Staples and MIR. Guy
refer to the silver question. Judge Staples
SAYS: This silver issue thrust upon the
country is simple folly and madness, but
we are bound to recognize it az great
and prominent question" The Judge GER
tsInly was not judicial when he used suoh
language in reference to ono OF the cardi-
nal doctrines of Jeffersonian Democracy
more than q century old. The word
thrust" means imDulsire Jorce-as TO
stab. to pierce, &c. From the language OF
the Judge, one would be justified in the
conclusion that the silver question was q
mere bantlng in its swaddling clothes,
thrust forward that its callow condition
might startle men, rather than hoary pa
triarch of more than a hundred years OF
lite in the Democratic party of this great
nation, demanding attention. Dir. Guy
says the free coinage of silver has been
side-tracked, and he bill is dead" Then so
il Mr.. Cleveland, and so will be every anti
silver Democrat who may be- nominated
tor the presidency.
If Democratic representatives in Con-
eress can combine and confederate with
Republicans TO defeat a Democratic mea-
sure, what right have they TO expect that
the common people will vote for party
nominees when those nominees, after cleo
ton, recognize no allegiance to the con-
stltuent body? Twenty-nine States. IN
their last Democratic conventions, de-
clared for the free coinage of silver. A
Democratic House IS elected with a two
thirds majority. and the silver bill is de-
feated by Democratic votes. The Democrats
when in the minority are for silver. When
in the majority enough of them desert to
the enemy TO defeat the bill, upon which
they obtained the confidence Of the peo-
pie. The people are going to expunge the
corrupt and degrading act OF 1873 and are
going to have free silver, according to the
wisdom of the Democratic fathers. or ne5
,oiU kro,r the reason trhy. blr. Guy may be
wiling to follow Dir. Cleveland biindly, az
he says he does. but the people ,c'H MOI.
III the Chicago convention Is not going
10 speak out upon the silver question. then
il had better remain profoundly silent
upon all questions. This IS the peoples
question, and they are going to speak and
speak in no uncertain sound, whatsoever
conventions may remain silent. A Demo
cratic platform with silver left out Will be
more insipid than the play of Hamlet with
the character of Hamlet left out.
1t is not worth while to talk about tariff
reform. There are to-day, and there ever
has been throughout the country, more
pro-tarif Democrats than there are ami
silrer Democrats. II the policy Of the
Chicago convention is TO nominate O can
didate who can be elected. then that
candidate must DO IN sympathy and ac--
cord with the people. The disregard OF
this in Mr.. Clevelands nomination and
election brought nothing of permanent
good to either the party or the country,
and led to inglorious defeat in 1888.
WHY all this talk and wrangle about Mr.
Cleveland and Senator Hill, when the
Democratic party has such man as Sena-
tor Voorhees,? II ability, craftsmanship,
purity of character, consistency, life
long allegiance to every Democratic trust
are esteemed worthy OF party considera,,
ton, then the convention, with unusual
acclaim, ought to say to him: hou arr
the man. and the people from the West
and from the Northwest and from
the South and from the Southwest
will reseond: Amen! So let II
be.n l do not know that the Sena-
tor. If made President, will achieve
great distinction as boss fisherman
or asa duck and snipe shooter" But his
reputation for all that is great and gooo
will be increased, his country, will be made
prosperous and happy. his administration
will be pure and national, and his party
will be left triumphant and united. Nc
defeat will follow his victories. The spirit
of the fathers and the wisdom OF the
fathers, from which American liberty anc
Democratic institutions were evolved
will reappear in our country SO long mis-
ruled and politically oppressed.
JAMES G. FIELD.