Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-01
THE SILVER PARTY
Difficulties That Have Arisen in
Making the New Alignment.
RACE QUESTION IN A new FORM
Democracy and RepubIicanism in
the: West and South.
THE SOUTH HESITATES

THE - SOU Il IL II E Isl IL AL is
The advanced silver men, anxious to move
rapidly in the cause of free coinage, and
convinced that only through new align
ments can success be accomplished, are en-
countering on the very threshold of the en-
deavor to bring those alignments about an
obstacle which threatens defeat to their
purposes. Strangely enough, too, 1t is the
old race question in a new form, and none
the less embarrassing because of the new
form and the attendant variations.
The difficulty is illustrated by the attitude
of two of the youngest and ablest of the
champions Of silver in the present House.
Mr.. Bryan of Nebraska and Mr.. Bailey OF
Texas are both advocates of free coinage at
16 to l. and both of opinion that the democ-
racy should commit itself unreservedly to
that policy. Mr.. Bryan. however, having
almost despaired of seeing his party shake
itself clear of eastern influences, is willing
now for a coalition, dealing with republi-
cans and populists, and, indeed, with all
men, regardless OF past political affiliations,
who may desire the success of silver above
every consideration. He is willing to help
form and to join new party, II need be, TO
make national campaign on the silver
question and to draw the line sharply ana
completely between gold monometallism
and bimetallism. But Mr.. Bailey refuses 10
go this far. While admitting the existence
of great difficulties in the way OF accom-
plishing the desired end within the demo-
cratic party as at present led, ne Is not
ready to leave the party nor as yet to make
silver the sole issue as between the TWO olo
parties. Democracy to him represents more
than silver. Republicanism to him is OBJ
jectionable on more accounts than It's oppo-
stion to free coinage. Fro this reason,
eager as he is to see silver win, ne cannot
xxyilli inr n
coalition which would include an influential
contingent OF former republicans.
Reconsideration West and South.
There Is much discussion of this matter
in the circles in interest. These two men
are thought to show pretty plainly the IN
fiuences of their respective environments.
Mr.. Bryan. as a democrat, has found rae
ing him in Nebraska republican opposi-
ton of great strength and the highest local
standing. The party lines. though tightly
drawn, have never indorsed anything but
party measures. The democratic and the
republican leaders have, on personal and
on business grounds, been intimate and
cordial. There were no differences but po-
litical differences. The republicans that
Mr.. Bryan has met and observed at home
have been men with whom he has been
very friendly on all other than political
questions. There is nothing to make him
hesitate, therefore, when he finds a repub-
lican in Nebraska, or elsewhere, willing to
support policy of free silver to the ex-
clLsion of other issues, to strike hands
with him and train with him under the
same flag. Mr.. Bryan finds association
with such man more to his liking than
that with an eastern democrat committed
to the gold standard.
But Mr. Bailey, it is pointed out has had
very different sort of political training.
Party contests in the south have for years
been fierce and uncompromisng. A great
n iCSn hav lnony,
involved in the divisions that sent one set
of men into the democratic camp and an
other set into the republican camp. In
fact, political questions have not infre-
quently disappeared altogether, and ques-
tions purely personal and social have taken
their places. This produced bitterness and
strife, and served very often to keep men
far apart on all questions. The republican
ism that Mr.. Bailey has in view, therefore,
goes beyond the silver question or any
other one question. AS a Texas democrat
he cannot conceive of an alliance with re-
publicans on any issue for any purpose.
He feels that he cannot enter into one
consistent with his past record. What
would be the situation after the silver
question was disposed of? What issues
would then be presented, and what atti-
tude would his allies take with regard to
them? Might not some old issue be re-
vived over which he and the republicans
of the south had in the past waged a hot
contest? He feels, therefore, that for the
present at least he would do better to hold
on to the democracy, for although the
prospect for silver seems little discourag-
ing, that party, on other questions, repre-
SentS what he thinks Is for the best inter-
ests of his section.
The Difficulty Seen.
The men moving for new party see
their difficulty. They concede that the two
old parties are safe from overthrow unless
the battering power can be commanded in
the south and west. Those two sections
are the strcngholds of silver. If they can
not be induced to lay aside other matters
and come together for silver alone then
nothing can be done. And as soon as the
matter is presented there springs up at
once the old cry. The south hesitates. She
Is afraid to leave her old mooring. She>got
there only after q protracted storm and
heavy losses She wants no renewal of
that experience. Democracy to her means
more than silver. She would like to have
silver, but even free coinage would be dear
at the risk of unsettling the local suprem-
acy ROW established.
Republicanism in the south is indissolu-
bly, allied with the race question and with
the power of the colored vote Democracy
means white control.
The democracy of the west has had no
experience of this kind. The political bat
tie; then, has been pitched on other lines,
and one of the principal lines has been sill
yer. The present proposition Is to the
west, therefore, very simple one The
times seem to be ripe for silver to win
But it will be necessary to make an alli-
ance to accomplish the end. This alliance
will involve great risk. Nothing risked,
nothing gainc1. Republicans must leave
their old camp for a new, and democrats
likewise. Success is not possible under any
other conditions.
The west is disposed to respond Mr..
Bryan Is reckoned good example of her
courage ana aggressiveness, and he is will
ing to make silver the sole issue and trust
the issue to a coalition. But the democ-
racy of the west alone, even If marshaled
solidly in the end under Mr.. Bryan's lead
ership, will be powerless. The south must
assist or success is impossible. Can the
south for any reason be brought around?
Possible Presidential Candidates
Quiet.
1t is noted that during the progress of all
these preliminaries the possible presiden-
tial candidates of the proposed coalition are