New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-29
JJJc CHDICE IEH.

Instead Of two old parties, there exist in this
country one conservative party and half a dozen
warning AMI destructive factions. Philosophl-
cally and practically, the difference is far greater
than most men imagine. 4 strong party,
with name a history and hopN' mas
ALWAYS something TO restrain excuses ana
vagaries 1t has Il Stake III the country
50 10 speak, and has given bonds Tor
good behavior Every active man III II mas per
sonal and powerful motive 10 hold back lis wider
clements. or more desperate leaders, from steps
which NAV forfeit the confidence Of the great
BODY Of lifelong supporters. Government ny
faction is immcasurably different. Tn" faction
itself and all lis leaders have the strongest motive
10 attract at any cost The movable. lha' Is 20
say The nishty and miSchicvious clements III
order TO make itself felt. show present strength
and get 70 be living party with something OF
weight 10 offer in a bargain. The faction ms
no long history no lifelong adhcrcns. to chain II
10 conservatism. It's natural tendency Is always
and necessarily To reach out for The most Dan
gcrous elements by the most dangerous measures.
This difference and some Of its consequences,
any man can realize who will study frrnch
revolutions ard the French Republic, in
contrast with government in this country
or Great Britain. 1t Is the diner"Ac"
between n mob Of irresponsible children
and two serious men in debate France
is kalcdoscopic: America is bit OF noun
min scenery The everlasting hills are here,
and rest the eye. the foot and the soul aft'r one
has been tossed on the waves of faction NOBODY
can guess what may happen when any fa''l III
or combination of factions gets control. Every
body knows Just what to expect when soma ana
conservative party takes charge,
II is a curse TO this country that Tie Demo
cratic party wrecked itself on the rocks OF STAY
cry AMI rebellion, and then in trying 10 ger
ashore lost itself in the QuiCksands of sof money!
To-day struggles to save il are idle. When II
WAS n party. with ideas and history. thoS" VINO
dislkol lis policy knew what it was, AZ least. II
has no policy now and no existence rs party.
Here are three distinct factions calling Demo
cratic comfy and state conventions In 1"N19.
Tho I,.ooloiS Club and the Democrats OF Iowa
and other Western States are divided. IN" hArd
money Democrats Of the East are not only gold
,nonometallis;s IN the MAN, but free trade IA
na,ics The soft mc1cy Democrats Of the West
wont over to GrccnbackiSm and fiat money
directly after the war and really never have
come back The Southern Democrats are partly
PopuIists. and nearly all negro hatcrs. and few
have any highc- conception Of public policy
than a desire somehow 70 punish the North for
suOprcssing the rebellion. No common purpose
or belief holds these factions together; for thirty
years nothing but the appetite Tor public plumber
has kept them in juXtapoSitOn. and defeat has
broken that bond.
The silver party. and the TWO factions OF the
Populist party. need not be separately colsid-
nl,s ltrsrt lp.il az
the Democratic voters The fact upon which mon
of sound and conservative beliefs and genuine
patriotism should fix their attention, Is that this
| mob Of dangerous factions is utterly incapable
Of forming a government in the least degree
worthy Of confidence. The success Of any one
| Of them. or Of any conceivable combination Of
| them would instantly cause such widespread
distrlst that another panic might b" expected as
a natural consequence Conceive, If II be posi-
| bic that the POpuliss, the silver men, AMI the
! State bank and fat money Democrats could
unite force enough to succeed; would confidence
! in the future be- possible for any sane man: NO
/ body could know what revolutionary measures
might be enacted, but everybody would know
| that all the foundations Of confidence ana OF bus
mess must be shaken.
The choice next year. and apparently for years
| to come must be- between these destructive fac
| tons in some Of their countless possible combi
nations o. the conservative Republican party
! powerful in It's grand record Of wise government
but more powerful than ever rs III" only rallynl
point that is left Of those who wish to avert bnsi
ness panic industrial prostratiOn, socialistic rev
olulion, spoaion Of thrift by lazincSS, and over
throw of the vcry foundations upon which free
| government must rest.