Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-11-27
Staunto1l Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER27
THERE is DANGER IN 1T.

The Norfolk Landmark so we'll ex-
adopt it's remarks in lieu of our own.
1t says that late developments ought
to be sharp reminder to the Demo-
cratic party and it's leaders that har-
mony must be had at any. cost. 1t is
admitted that the majority of the re
cent defeats can be ascribed to discord
within our own lines, and it is certain
that the Democracy is doomed unless
it can maintain a solid front. In the
South, the cause of the trouble was
the illadvised introduction of the sill
yer question into State politics, where
1t does not belong. This action as WAS
predicted by men of foresight, divided
the party against itself and gave the
Republicans an easy victory.
1t was hoped, we repeat. that Ken
tucky's downtalY would be a lesson to
her sister States. Yet here in Virgin
ia it is rumoyed that those members of
the Legislat ure who are in favor of the
free and Unlimited coinage of silver at
the ratio Of 16 To will exert them
selves to|have that body pass a resolu
tion cendemning the financial policy
OF The present national administrator
and approving their own views in the
matter. 1t is not denied that the sill
yer men will have slight majority il
the General Assembly, and they nigh
be able to carry the motion through
They must be able to understand,
however, what the result of their vic
tory would be. They must know that
it would embitter the feeling within
the party and would sharply define
two factions when there is no necessi
ty of having any. AS sure as this
fatal element of discord creeps into
Virginia politics, the State will be just
in the condition for Republican sue
cess. 1t is evident that the Republi
cons are going to come up the next
time with far more strength and a
much more formidable organization
than they have possess ed for years,
and they will make a strong fight to
win. They must not be permitted to
have any advantages over us.
In the name of the party, we protest
against the reported effort to bring
this outside issue into the politics of
the State. We do not youch for the
truth of the rumor, and we sincerely
trust that it is not founded on fact
but it may be, aud we give the warn
ing now. We are not discussing the
merits of the various solutions of the
money problem. What we are EN-
phasizing is that in Virginia the opin
ion of the party is very nearly evenly
divided with regard to the matter, and
anybody can see that if neither side
will yield we had better steer clear OF
the obstruction. Let it be settled on
the floor of Congress. The Knoxville
Tribune points out few noteworthy
facts which ought to quiet these over
Jealous efforts to drag in the question
of finance, and we recommend them to
the consideration of our silver friends:
1T is not possible to secure the Ell
actment of free and unlimited coin
age law before March 4th, 1897. Presi
dent Cleyeland's term does not expire
until then, and it is certain that he
would approve no such BILL it may be
also regarded as certain that no such
bill can be passed over his veto. After
March 4th, 1897, Republican control of
the Senate is assured, and no matter
whether Democrat or a Republican
is President there will be no hope OF
passing free and unlimited coinage
law. If the Democrats are foolish
enough tonake this Question an issue
among themselves they will only in
yite defeat and contribute to Republi-
can success"