New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-07
POLITICAL POSSIBILITIES.

The elections may have an important effect
upon the policy of the Democratic party.
Weaker than it expected at the west IL Is
likely to be reduced t. its former hopeless CON
diticn in that section by the disintegratlon OF
the pcpulist party which the elections appear
to forcshadow In that case Democrats will be
forced TO depend, as they formerly did, upon
the votes Of New-York, New-Jersey and Con-
pecticut as their only chance of National sue
cess. The close result in Rhode Island gives
them hope that they may add that state 10
their available resources by policy adapted to
its requirements On the other haho' inc re-
suits of elections in Ohio and Michigan indicate
that Republicans are stronger than ever, ana
NAV fight for Indiana with great hope. While
in States further west Democratic success mas
been so clearly due to diversion Of Republican
votes by the Populist party that the di'intesia-
ton of that party would leave one slender
chance for the Democrats.
This state of things alters the logic OF the
situation" to the confusion OF many Democratic
plans. Unless the Popul;St movement Is ID
continue and gain in force, the Democratic
Marty will have to fight for It's existence III
states where free silver and Free Trade have
few fanatical adherents. No Democratic leader
of considerable influence imagines that any OF
tho three States mentioned could be carried by a
narty responsible for free silver coinage, or Tor
such tariff as Western and Southern rec
Traders would favor. But the National plat
FORM which constitutes, 50 to speak the 1ofih'l
contract between the party and the people VINO
intru,ted it with power distinctly declares all
protection unconstitutional and proposes free
silver coinage and free state banks OF issue
In brief. the Western ana Southern extremists
made the platform, as respects the tam ana
silver. in direct violation of Mr. Cleveland
wishes. and they achieved victory. Now they
ancrily ask whether the party means to prove
false to its pledges.
For some time it has been evident that there
were rapidly developing within the Democratic
party two distinct factions, one demanding that
the party move as fast as possible toward the
absolute extinction of protective duties, while
the other insists upon slow cautious and ten
tative policy The latter holds the ground
taken BY the defeated minority in the National
J Convention who framed the resolution reported
by the committee were openly denounced a.
mere Protectionists, and IN spite OF earnest
efforts by Mr. Cleveland's ahlest friends were
voted down by a large majority. IL Is no"
suspected that this same minority has Mr
4 Cleveland himself for its leader, has shaped hl'
| Cabinet and will WELD all the influence of tho
Administration t. defeat the element which con
trolled the National Convention. This is not a
Republican but Democratic explanation o
events which sundry Democratic journals are
beginning to press upon the attention d th'
party in the West and South.
| The majority Of Democrats suspect that thc
President known to be hostile to their wlshc'
regarding silver coinage and other monc'ai!
questions. intends to enlist a greater supper
| within the party and also the practical 60
operation of Republicans in Congress up 10
certain point. lv aiding and leading those Dem
ocrats who rcsE,t radical changes of the tariff
This suspected course is already denounced a
virtual tieasot to the party and IT'S platform
Yet the President according to dispatches o
THE New-Yoik Herald on Wednesday state'
with emphasis; in his conversation with Secrc
tarv Carlisle that 81 he did not deem it neccs
sary to 90 to extremes, and was anxious to hav
the work done in such a way as to disturb "A
little as possible the business of the country.
He NAV have been thinking that day OF tn
Western elections.
If events make it clearly probable that tn
collapse of the Popuist movement will fore
the Democratic party to win at the East or nc
where its necessities and its hunger will power
fully support those who now seem to replesen
| Mr.. Cleycland's wishes. No doubt he has bee
thinking of the future. If he sees that tn
Eastern variety of Democracy must prevail g
none his attitude is logical. Should that al
tentative be forced upon party which has beer
is and will be, little more than an organize
appetite, the last National platform will hardl
have more than an historical value.