The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-05
Il Would be Certain but for The Silver
Talk Of Southern Members,
SOWING SEED FOR POpULIST HARVEST
The Situation in Ohio Is Similar TO That
I'm the Southern States-GeneraI Ma
hone Draws Near to Deaths
Door - His End
Expected.

. member of the Fifty-third Congress,
says that the prospects for Democratic
success in 1895 would be excellent were
1t not for the fact that the south srn sill
yer men and those Of some other States
persist in talking silver, Notwithstanding
the fact that the party cannot fail to
adopt d sound-money platform in the
convention.
1t is this continuation Of the agitation
for cheap money that Is destroying the
confidence Of the business men OF thd
country in the Democratic party, and
makes them look forward o The cam
paign with some feeling of appr ,hension.
No better Illustration Of the fool
hardness Of which Mr.. Sperry complains
could be found that that furnished 10y the
silver Democrats OF Ohio Notwi. hstand-
ing TIE fact hat there were not enough
OF them to cause the slightest cmLarrass-
ment IN the state convention. the silver
| men Of the State, with Allan Thurman
at their head, have Just compleIed the
formation Of a state committee OF sil.
yer men, and are now talking Of con-
tin ling the fight in the State for tha
election OF silver men as members OF the
State Legislature. This is being done at
time VIXEN the utmost harmony should
prevail If the Democrats are to stand
the slightest chance OF retaining their
representation in ,he Senate of the
United States, and when the prospects
Of electlng Campbell are thought 10 be
growing brighter because Of the d!ssen-
sions In the Republican ranks.
IL has been shown that the advocacy OF
disaster upon those engaged in it, ana
as clearly demonstrated that the over
wheiming majorities OF both parties are
so thoroughly opposed to the proposition
that its endorsement by either party
would drive thousands OF voters to the
other political organization.
The course OF the silver men I'm the
State is. therefore. not only directly op-
posed 10 what the people Of Ohio con-
slider the best interests OF the country,
but is a blow at the State Democracy.
N OHIO
The situation in Ohio does not differ
materially from that existing in most
Of the Southern States. The free-silver |
agitation being carried on by Democratic |
politicians Is not only demagOgy, pure |
and simple. but 1t is likely to do an /
amount Of harm TO the party In the /
country from which it will be difficult
to recover. SO closely is the silver doe
trine of the Southern free-silver Demo
crat allied 10 Populism that the Popu-
lists and free-silyer men Of the West are
turning their attention TO the section, be-
lieying that it presents the fairest field
for their work OF recruiting their own
ranks. and the proposition TO hold the
Populist national convention IN Georgia
is advocated by all the Western POpu-
list leaders. They propose also 10 hold
their convention I'm February, in order
that they may start vigorous campaign
In favor Of free coinage. while the other
parties are still considering the availa-
Jility OF candidates.
IL must therefore, be inevitable that II
Mr. Crisp and the Southern silver leaders
I'm Virginia and elsewhere continue 10
teach the false doctrine that the coun-
try can be benefited by a deprecated
they are but sowing seed which
will produce "A harvest for the POpuists.
There is absolutely no chance that the
silver men can control the national con-
'ention. They are growing weaker daily
md by the time the national convention
meets VIII be as hopelessly in the minor
ty az they were in the Ohio convention.
But there will be a silver party I'm the
ield and unless the efforts OF the South ,
mt avail. the people they are now con-
incing that volume and not value is re-
uired in the currency must turn con-
cientiOusly to that party as representing i
he sentiments they have adopted. This Z
the danger which now threatens the ]
party I'm the South.
SENATOR DaSIEL AND orHFTs !
II IS all very well for Senator Daniel p
nd Senators Harris. Jones, and the p
theirs. who are looked upon as leaders Of o
be- Southern Democrats. to declare In
difference that the fight for silver is 10
f. carried on within. the party lines. II
not within their power to so limit II. q
hey may themselves remain true TO the o.
lrty while advocating principles which . p
ie party has always abhOrred. and IS ( y
Ire 10 repudiate, but how can they con- o.,
ol the voters whose convictions they are ri
ideavoring 20 fo,m2
They are indulging Just now in a plen- pl
fGl scattering OF wind. but the whirl-
ind will be reaped later on. and II Is
lely 10 be the Democracy that acts
rearer.
II is not alone the friends OF the DEM al
ratio administration, who perceive this. N
,nservatiye Democrats everywrehe. j..
neither they have agreed throughout "
lth Mr.. Cleveland's policy. view the pro- IN
ess Of events with apprehension, while ui
Q Republicans regard the silver scnti- '"
ant OF the South as OF weakness to the
smocrats which must result 70 the
vantage Of them, their own party
ley are not without similar troubles A,
emselves, in the silver States OF the az
est. but unless the silver Republicans ~
u the convention, contingency so re- ~, ~
'te rs 10 be hardly worthy considera- 81. 81,
n, the sound-noney men viii control ch
sClutely They may make the GEM Pt
zee OF concession to silver, in the plat
m to satisfy the men, whose political
stence depends upon their securing
ne recognition for the white metal. ~
tut beyond this they win not 40. The Sa
icatiOns are. therefore, that both par ~,
5 will leave the advocacy Of free coin no
;e. depreciation and wild imitation. ris
ere IL belongs. with the Populist. and In
Democrats of the South who have OF
N convinced tLat this is a proper rei
trine TO endorses must turn TO the ,,hh''
pulists, II they wish to vote their con- rer
tions. The folly OF the silver cam dis
gn in the South hould be apparent era
everyone, and the Democratic leaders rel
uld be the first to perceive. In Vir- Gel
la il should oe eliminated from the we
te campaign and in the other Southern e ene
tess IL should be laid aside, so that lie, lie,
IN the presidential campaign Is OPEN Cel
the party may present an untroken 10y
II to the common enemy. Ma