The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-24
REPUBLICANIsM A. 1T IS-DEMOc
RACY's OPPORTUNITY.

we can see distinct evidences that one
OF the strangest things that ever happened
IN politics is at hand. The Republican
party is plainly preparing to become a
rfree-silver" party. The party that has
posed before the country ever since the
war as the party which contained all
the loyalty to sound money that was In
the country is going now 10 abandon ill
that has made 1t at all respectable and
run a race with the Popuists for a purse
that will contain nothing but nfty-cent
silver dollars.
The evidences of this astonishing change
OF front are too numerous and too con-
Yincing to leave the matter in any sort
of doubt. Let us glance at them. The
new Virginia Republican paper which
General Malone is about 10 establish
here announces that 1t will be for pro-
tective tariff and free silver General
Mahone spends his entire time in Wash
tngton city In immediate touch with the
rulers OF the Republican party. and when
he establishes a Virginia Republican pa
per We may feel perfectly sure that 1t
is not to make war upon propositions and
views cherished by the leaders OF a party
we may rest assured that what he an
nounces for the policy OF his paper is
what those leaders have advised him Will
be acceptable TO them as leaders Of the
National Republican party. Next. il is
heralded 10 the world on good authority
that Senator Cameron, OF Pennsylvania,
has entered the race for the Republican
nomination for the Presidency I'm 1896,
and that his platform will be protection
and free silver. He has consistently
voted in the Senate for both propositions,
30 that II is not unnatural that II he
runs at all II should be on this platform.
IT would be very surprising, however, II
he should offer for the Presidency on
this platform unless he had good reason
20 believe that his party will adopt 1t
rs its own in the National Convention.
Next, we have ex-Speaker Reed writing
10 an English magazine that he wants to
Zee the Republican party plant itself
upon protection and free silver. Mr. Reed
does not eat all his crow at one gulp. IL
IS true. He limits his contention, for the
present. TO a demand that this country
shall regard England and all other Euro
pean countries which will not come into
ar agreement for free coinage as enemies
against which II will lend every retalia-
tory and punitory law possible until they
do come into 1t. But this however dis
guised is intended to be proclamation
10 the world that the Honorable Thomas
Bracket Reed. leader OF the Republican
party in the House. is free silver's 10
count on from this day hence, and as
long as II seems probable that the rabble
Is also for IT,
Next we have the resolutions that sew |
eral OF the western Republican conven- |
rons nave passed within the past few
weeks, wAich mean free silver and moth
ing less. But we invite particular atten-
fon to the following resolution In the
platform adopted by the Republican Con-
Nention OF California last Wednesday. II
reads as follows:
W favor the free and unlimited coinage
,naS,rs a. the ratio OF 10 to l. and the
maslns or silver, as well as gold a LEGAL
s,ehuer IN payment OF ali debts both nnh-
NC ana private, and we pledge our CON
srsssional nominees to the sumner n,
principles contained IN this resolution.
Tnere Is the EXTREMIST free silver doc
frine ever preached by Weaver or Lease
All these evidences taken together.
make IL as plain as the MONDAY sun that
the Republican party is going over %
Tue "ee silver party. horse. foot and
Dragons. 'NO' anu
ana what Is TO be thought OF the hon
ssty ana sincerity Of men who ca, n,ol~o
'nis sunmersault at this time, II turns
.ne MONDAY light upon them and shows
.neh IN the glare OF day 10 be the hum-
pusS' iakirs and dishonest men that thew
are This is the Democratic partv.s srss,
opportunity. Let It stand. rock-ribbsa ana
n"ny' py the Democratic doctrine OF
!, 1'a"u money and equal rights for ALI
&c. ..e 'he Republican and the Populist par
'iss rpa The mud race while the Demo.