New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-17
FELEIL YOCR PROMISE.

In the newspaper discussion now Ill progress
az TO which party should take the initiative IN
calling I'D and pushing to vote Dill repeal
ing the Silver Purchase act and which VIII
have to bear the odium of failure in the event
of non action, there appears to be lamehtaoie
LAPSE of memory on the part OF those as
nntants who are endeavoring to put the re-
sponsibility upon Republican shoulders. Inc
nosition of the two parties on this question as
set forth in their National platforms seems 10
he entirely lost sight Of 1t is important 10
remember that while the Republicans IN their
nlatform took a positive stand in favor Oh
b;metallism: and commended the steps taken
nv our Government to secure through an IN
ternational conference the adoption of meas
mrnS which would insure a parity of value be-
tween gold and silver for use as money
throughout the world, it did not descend 10
details or recommend specific legislation II
being deemed wiser to wait the outcome OF inc
Monetary Conference which had been called 70
consider the subject. The result OF the con-
ference has been to confirm the view OF the
large majority of Republicans that the Silver
Purchase law, instead of promoting, IS really
an obstruction to bimetallism 1t is now evi-
| dent. moreover, that the continuance OF the
| law is a menace to business enterprise and
nublic credit and at war with the principles
of sound finance Republicans consequently
favor it's repeal But in doing so the party IS
adaptine itself to existing conditions, not full
filing promise.
On the other hand cur Democratic friends,
| in the positive way in which they are accus-
toned to denounce anything and everything
done by their opponents, went straight az inc
Silver Purchase act in their platform IN terms
and by name, denouncng it as "a cowardly
makeshift fraught with possibilities of danger
in the future which should make all OF ITS
supnorters and its author anxious for its speedy
repeal" That was specific, plain. outspoken
and positive There is no possibility OF mis-
take or misunderstanding as to its meaning
It committed the party to the repeal OF TINS
cowardly makeshift' at the earliest oppol-
Itunity. Not to tinkering it or paltering with
Lit or keeping it in force until some Other
makeshift" could be invented as substi-
tte but to its absolute and unconditional re-
neal as law "fraught with possibilities OF
danger in the future" They carried the coun
try on that as much as on any other issue
THE country took them at their word believed
their professions accepted their promises
There's the difference in the position OF thu
two parties; and it is well not to forget il
when men are talking about which one ought
tn take the initiative and which will be re-
snonsjble fer failure to act, on the part OF thi'
Congress.
Republicans in the Senate will be held t.
q strict accountability by their constituents
who expect them to meet this issue squarely
to stand up for the honor OF tho party as vel
as for the principle CT sound finance, withou
regard to any considerations of temporary par
tisan advantage. But it is proper to remint
tho Democratic newspaper editors and states
men who arc "nagging' them that tho anti
free coinage Republicans in the Senate arc no
majority Of that body. They can do nothing
without the help Of the Democratic Senator
who stand before the country upon platform
demanding the repeal of the Silver Purchas
act Senator Sherman says that in the fac'
) Of their own platform profession, and in spit
Of them there are not ten Democratic Senator
who will vote with the Republicans for repeal
Senator Carlisle thinks there are as many a
twelve who would vote for q repeating bill S
sbapcd as to suit them. Possibly. But VIII.
not more? Why not all of them? Are the
Democrats? Do they believe in their oY1
platform? More than that; in the OtRe
branch of Congress they have an abundant, a
overwhelming majority they said in their Ma
. tional Convention the act ought to be repealed
the peoplc have indorsed them; why not &
ahead in the House with a repeating act
Ono fact is perfectly patent in all the dis
cpssion. and that is that the Democrats in Con
gress have the power to repeal the Silver Pun
chase act if they desire to or dare to. The
have promised to. Will they?