Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-02
Administration Men Criticise Steven
son and Morrison.
THE CASES OF KENTUCKY AND ILLINOIS
Inaction Said to Have Given Illinois
Silver Men Advantage.
STEVENSON'S NEUTRALITY

There is considerable criticism In admin
istration circles, of course, Of the certain
,velI-krown democrats in Illinois in permit
ting that state to go by default to the free
silver and Altgeld enti-Clevefand coEabina-
ton. The criticism has increased since the
success Of the efforts of sound money demo-
Gratis in Kentucky las become so apparent.
1t is claimed by tho Sc who are inclined
to entertain feelings of resentment toward
the oId-lne Illinois democrats for their
inaction that the conditions in Kentucky
and Illinois were very similar, and that
like action by the Illinois men might have
produced similar results to those obtained
in Kentucky 1t Is said that in both states
there was the same unrest among the peo-
pie produced by the same cause, the agi-
tation of the free silver propaganda, the
circulation of Coins Financial School and
the efforts of certain politicians to ride
into power on the crest Of free silver
wave. In both states the silver mo We
ment had gained great Roadway before Tie
danger OF it was realized and the free
silver men having things all their own
way up to certain point.
Kentucky and Illinois Compared.
1t is claimed that in both states there
were old-line leaders of elatlvely the
same power and Influence, but the trouble
was that in one commonwealth the old-Ene
leaders deserted the administration and
permitted the battle to go by default, and
in the other they went right into the fight
and fought it to a successful hnish, ana
that in the face of what seemed adverse
popular opinion.
IF Adlai e. Stevenson and William r.
Morrison had coma boldly to the front Tor
sound money they would have exerted a
powerful influence said an administra-
ton democrat to Star reporter. nose
two man had a hold upon the hearts OF
inric II Of
are men in that state who would follow
William r. Morrison through any kind OF
a campaign he would undertake, simply
because he has been their idol for years,
and Stevenson has similar influence. If
Morrison had come out aquarely for sound
money instead of merely leaving 1t TO be
inferred that he WIS on that side there
would have been old-time democrats VINO
would have said: We'll, Bill Morrsson's
judgment is good enough for me, and if he
says he is against free Coinage why, 1
reckon he knows what he is talking about,
and they would have stood with him, shout
der to shoulder.
Mr.. Stevenson's Course.
Look at the course of Stevenson; he re-
malned dumb as All oyster, and many mi
nor federal Office holders, who would have
otherwise had the courage to have stood
out for sound money against the popular
cIamor, followed the lead Of Stevenson,
thinking that if he found 1t time for a
same thing. The example of man of his
prominence is powerful, and when he took
his place the fence hundreds of other
fellows concluded it was time for them to-
stradde also and up they hoped, SO we
had the edifying example of a long line of
| Illinois democrats on the fence, silent as
the proverbial sphinx, and raising no voice
| OF opposition TO the free silver hurrah.
"On the other hand was the case of old
Senator Palmer, and l will cite one promi
| nent instance where his example worked to
good effect. There was a United States
II afShal in Senator Palmer's district named
Br:ntcn, who had been beguiled by the
silver men. He was talking free coinage
| when Senator Palmer went to him and gave
Linn straigtt-out talk. The result Was
that Brintcn followed the lead of the stur-
Gy old democrat. threw the Establishments
of the free silver TO the winds and de-
ciared he would stand for sound money
| even if the penalty should be political OBJ
| scurerlent forever
4 do not undertake to say that If Mr.
Stevenson, Mr. Morrison and other leaders
| Of lesser magnitude had stood UP boldly
| for sound money they could have prevented
| q free silver declaration by that conven-
| ten, but they could have at least made a
| fight and sent delegation to that Spring
| field convention which would have pre-
| vented the impression going abroad. as it
| has gore, that the free silver men own the
democracy of Illinois, body and soul.
| IN my opinion, those men were con-
! WINGED that the visible sentiment of the
| stare was for free silver. They probably
| thought their efforts could do no good and
| that they would simply sacrifice themselves
| without saving the cause.
But suppose the Kentucky sound money
| men had argued that way? The outlook
| fer sound money was just as black in Ken
| lucky as it was in Illinois. 1t appeared
| that the whole state was crazy for free
| silver, and some politicians who were
| thought TO be far-sig1ted concluded that
| to attempt to stem the tide would result in
| being swept to political death. Suppose the
great men of the state, outside of Secretary
| Carlisle of course, had remained silent for
| the sake of their political future? Why, Joe
Blackburn ard his crowd would have swept
| the field But, under the leadership of Mr..
Carlisle, some of the biggest men in the
| state, and men who had just as much at
yenson or Mr. Morrison went right in for
sound money and fought it out on that
| line. risliing all and subsequently winning
oil