New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-07
MEET 1T SQUAREII.

MEET 1T SQUARELY
Tbo5construction put upon recent interviews
with Senator Allison on the results OF the
Monetary Conference. TO the effect that he
fov,rs non action on the repeal of the sherman
act as the proper policy for Republicans 10
pursue in the present Congress, seems 10 us
hardly wa sranted by his published utterances'
H.. is said to be his idea-the Republicans bciiis
about to go out of power-to leave the silver
question open for the Cleveland AdmihiSua-
ton to take up and carry to some sort OF
settlement We do not so understand Mr'
Allison. Even if that were his view OF the
nolicy and duty of Republicans, we should con-
slider 1t bad politics as well as bad policy Inc
motive would bo perfectly apparent; and beng
apparent would defeat the purpose IL would
only mean that Republican senators ana mem
hers of Congress were willing to see financial
Conditions continue which disturb business anu
threaten public credit when a remedy Is wi'hih
their reach, in order, III the slang OF current
notifies. to put their opponents " III hoie'
THE TBIEi-yE, let us say once Tor all Is not
IN favor of that kind of smart" politics. Nor
docs il believe that the Republican party favors
Il or gives TO il the least cOuntenance. rom
the point Of view Of PRACTICAL politics. IL Is
anouob that the motive for non-actlon Is s.
obvious as to he plain TO any one OF ordinary
;r+allioonce and that is enough IN ltSeli 10 do-
foot the intent. But there are very much
b;cber considerations. The Republican party
means nothing and is good for nothing IL IL
does not stand up in manly way, as well in
minority and after defeat as in a majority
ard under the responsibilities of power for
L. hn a n
history and all its traditions. and It's Repre-
sentatives in Congress would be faise 10 the
,,o, who sent them there if it did otherwise
if It sackened in its high purpose, or weakened
| in IFS moral fibre after defeat or patered with
questions of public interest for mere tempo
rary partisan advantage
In an article on Republican Reorganiza-
tion'' in the current number OF The North
American Review Senator Dolph well says :
s'If the principles Of the Republican party are
right instead of abandoning them or waVering
in IFS purposes it should be true TO them ana
lot disorpanizinr clements slough off, until with
united ranks it is prepared TO achieve victory
or If necessary for the sake OF its principles, TO
suffer defeat again" 1t is never good time
for "smart'' politics of the sort suggested
east Of all is the present. If there Is any
disposition in the party TO palter with the ques-
60, of honest currency now is the time 10 meet
u souarelv. and if necessary slough off the
disorranizing elements. For IT must be remch-
bered that the question which now presents
itself is really the old one OF currency imitation
| in n new form Contrary To the hope ana per-
baps the expectation of its supporters the
Sherman act is leading us away from blmetai-
ism. The purchase of silver and issue OF silver
certificates is neither more nor less than the
old preenbacl, heresy in a new form. Inc ne
publican party had that to deal with III the
dav Of il. and was under the same temptation
70 treat it cingerly palter with it, stave 1t oil
or make COMPROMISES. AS many Of its repre-
sentative men, Senators and members OF Con-
GROSS we're tainted with it, are now similarly
affected bv the rage for currency imitation
through silver coinage SO too, whom the re-
sumption of specie payments was under con-
sidsration there were prominent Republicans
who besitated and doubted as to the policy
and the wisdom of act that planted the
marty and the country upon the hard pan OF
common honesty. And let it be remembered
that the Republican party maintained itself IN
mower for an unprecedented period In the po-
Iitical history Of the country only by listening
to the voice of the honest dcbt-paying people
and refusing to take counsel Of its timidity OF
its fears or of the politicians who could not
believe that the average American cfozen was
willing to pay hundred cents on the dollar
if by any means he could compromise for less
The record Of the Republican party on fnan
DIAL questions since the war Is its greatest
glory. II sometimes it has seemed to shivei
in the teeth Of gale of popular delusion it has
aly~ts rghted itself and upon an even kee
made port safely. 1t cannot afford to dodge
or delay action upon the issue which presents
itself to-day. Through all the years OF it'
power it has stood for honest money and con
servative finance, while its opponents have
been dickering and trading with the repud
} ators, cranks and demagogues OF all sorts wh'
sought escape from the payment of homes
debts The lines between the two parties have
} been distinctly drawn upon the issue OF Ma
| tional honesty No better time than the pres
ent could offer itself to accentuate the differ
ence and clear the way to a future in CRANE
/ accord with its past history.
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