Evening star., 1895-05-15
Some Reasons for Calling the Illinois
Democratic Convention.
FIRST TO LAUNCH STEVENSONS BOOM
Then Build a Bridge for PopuIists
to Cross.
SOUND MONEY APATHY

WIZ hiccl uhueI lOTIudl CdI III state
convention to pass upon the question of
silver appeals more strongly to the ap-
probation of the free coinage men than
any other event at present on the cards.
The action is unique in it's way. 1t is con-
sidered a demonstration of unselfish friend
ship. The object is to serve the cause of
silver and no other. No political cam
paign is on in the state. Local political
leaders are not engaged in any heated
scramble for local Office or for the control
of local committees. 1t is, in every routine
sense, an off year in the sucker state. But
the friends of silver are afoot and they are
mastering in every county, with the one
purpose of making the approaching con-
vertion noteworthy, both in point of at
terdance and in the stirring terms of it's
platform. Even in Cook county, indeed,
under the very caves of the largest bank
ing houses outside of New York, the cham
pions of free coinage are waging the war
with an open energy not often exhibited in
the advocacy of public questions. The
free coinage men everywhere are naturally
delighted. and the claim is that the Illinois
movement, because of this energy and un
selfishness, is helping the silver cause
materially in those localities where cam
paigns are organizing, and where state
tickets are to be elected this year.
In MIR. .StevcnsOn's Interest.
This movement, however. was not con-
sidered unselfsh at the outset. Several
explanations were offered of why, in
off year. and with no local issues demand
ing attention. the sucker democracy should
thus put itself so in evidence. The first
suggestion was of the launching of the
Stevenson presidential boom. The fact that
Mr.. Stevenson is very popular at home, and
is well considered by free silver democrats
all over the country, seemed to encourage
the idea that the movement must be in his
behalf. His silver friends, 1t was thought,
had decided thus to place him squarely in
the presidential race by placing themselves
squarely OH a free silver platform Mr..
Stevenson himself said nothing. He kept,
as usual serenely on his way. He was
bound to know that many eyes were turned
toward him-the eyes of the silver men in
hope. and those of the gold men in wonder,
to know what he was going to do about it
but he made no sign. He Is still in the
thoughts of many people. He is at home,
ard doubtless well informed of what both
sides are doing. That his own political
fortunes are more or less involved in the
garded as in the very nature of things.
And not only his fortunes but the fortunes
of the other democratic leaders in Illinois
as well. The convention has been regularly
called. and its deliverance therefore will
be regular and authoritative. 1t is the
democracy of the state that will speak, and
the democrats of the state, big and little
alike, ewill all be committed by the plat
form adopted.
A Hid for the Populists.
ment had for its object the building up of
q bridge over which the populsts of the
state could pass into the camp of the dem
ocrats. 1t was thought advisable to effect
this union of the two forces now, instead
of waiting until next year. when all efforts
of every description must necessarily be so
difficult of accomplishment A bridge built
of silver would hold, it said. The
populists would cross it, and thus force
would appear in the field sufficient in num-
berS to give the republicans trouble. Some
thing must be DONE The ranks of the dem
ocrats had been reduced until they looked
like only the remnant of any army. So, ac-
cording to this explanation, the silver DEM
ocrats, who happened to be in control of
the state committee, decided to make a bid
for recruits from the ranks of the popuIists
and the bid took the form of this call for a
state convention to consider the silver
question.
Other Explanations.
There are other explanations A call
80 unusual and so unexpected has naturally
created cloud Of speculation and rumor
Mr.. Stevenson's fortunes may have been
considered by some. The populists may
nave been considered by others. There may
De an aspect of the case in Illinois that
differs from the aspect of the case as view
ed from other standpoints. At any rate
II is true that the free coinage men at
distance regard the Illinois movement with
all the greater interest for believing that
l, Is inspired by desire to push along the
whole silver cause and without respect to
local advantages or any one mans for
tunes. Inc play, as they see It, Is distinct
y ior silver Illinois may not gain by it.
She may remain fast in the clutches of the
republicans. But 1t will be something en-
couraglng to free coinage men in other
states to note the strength of democratic
sentiment Tor silver In Illinois as elsewhere
Silver Will Garry.
The latest news reaching Washington Is
that silver will carry the convention. All
news the Snhtect frnp fba
eagerly snapped up. 1t is even said that
the sound money democrats in certain
counties have already given up the fight
Ihey are reported as considering it useless
TO go on If this feeling should spread a
turn may be given matters making the
convention, except for a vigorous formal
protest, merely meeting of silver men,
In this way the sound money democrats
may try to break the force of a body they
have failed to control They may insist
that the declaration of the convention is
entitled to no more weight than that of
any other body of silver champions coming
together to boom the white metal But
the fact will remain, the silver men point
out. that the convention was in every way
regular, that 1t was democratic in com
pleXion, and that the contests for delegates
by counties were fought out in the open
Apnrhy of Sound Money Men.
Ihere Is some disappointment In admin
istration circles here at the apathy of late
observable in the sound money ranks ont
SIDE or chicago. When the President wrote
his letter the sound money democrats were
full OF Tight They seemed to be confident
that with his assistance and under his
leadership they could easily carry the day
They talked to him in that strain. and in
huenced by 1t he made his letter as much
10 the point as he could. Soon afterwards
Col Morrison, in agreement with the Presi-
dent on the subject. left for home, and the
report was that he had gone to assist in
the sound money campaign. He denied
this. however, as soon his attention was
called to it, and he has not been in evil
dence at all. He is still in the west but
engaged, 1t is said. strictly with the busi-
ness of the interstate commerce commits
SION EX-Congressman Cable is likewise in
active. This leaves Senator Palmer the
only one of the sound money leaders ac-
credited with. any activity whatever, and
he is so angry with his party for its course
and is speaking with such freedom on the
subject, ii is feared that he may not prove
OF practical value to the cause. But the
fight is not over, by any means, and there
Is still time, if the sound money men have
any strength in the state at all, for them
TO demonstrate it.