New-York tribune., 1895-10-26

"THE QUEEN OF TABLE WATERS"
Received the HIGHEST AWARD
at the WORLDS FAIR, and at the
ANTWERP EXHIBITION.
combination OF Republicans and Administration

a
interest: for it is the last indignant protest OF
Kentucky Bourbonism against the innovations
In party policy which have followed IN the train
Of Mr. Cleveand's established primacy III Demo
cratic National politics. For nearly twenty years
Mr. Blackburn has been eager and consistent
advocate OF silver inflaton-one Of the cardnal
principles II that peculiarly kentuckian schoo
of politics which rose TO vogue and influence un-
der the leadership of James b. Beck Only once
in those twenty years-at the extraordinary ses-
sion OF Congress in 1S93-had Mr.. blackburn
shown any signs OF weakening In his devotion to
Mr. Becks free coinage teachings. For two
months during that session the senior hehtucky
Senator refused 10 declare his position on the
bill then pending for the repeal OF the sllVer-pur
chasing clauses OF the Sherman act. Mr.. carlisle
his former colleague in the Senate. had accepted
the Secretaryship Of the Treasury from MT
Cleveland, and recanted the free coinage heresy.
His new associate, Judge Lindsay and many OF
his Kentucky Colleagues In the House Of Repre-
sentatives had hastered To follow the new Secre-
tary into the sound money ranks. Mr. black
burn hesitated for two months At length, with
evident reluctance, he announced that ne couiu
not abandon the convictions Of a lifetime ana
heap odium on a school Of politics he had so long
professed From that DAY ne cast his fortunes
definitely with the anti-Administration forces
In the Democratic organization. and he has never
since ninched from accepting the issue thus made
in either State or National politics.
HISTORY OF THE BLACKBURN CAMPAIGN.
Frankly proclaiming his purpose to seek a re-
election this year an advocate or free com
age. he entered actively into the preliminary
campaign last spring, hoping 10 secure from the
State convention a practical Endorsement Oh MS
attitude through the adoption OF the customary
free coinage plank. The convention, controlled
nominay at least. by the Federal offlce-holdlns
influence In the state, refused to affront the
President by approving silver resolution ana
instead adopted somewhat equvocal deciard-
tion indorsing the financial programme OF the
National Administration Mr.. Blackburn indig-
nantly denounced this action as a cowardly sur
render OF principle and declared that he would
not be bound In his own canvass by the LOUIS
Vile platform. He began at once an open war
fare the Administrations financial policy
and scornfully repudiated the state Commuters
assertion of authority TO muzzle his oratory.
From the end OF June TIL the middle of August
Mr. Blackburn and his canvass were prhct'cdiiy
outlawed by the Democratic campaign com
mittee. Then came Mr. Hardns PUBIC repu-
diation Of the Sound money declaration OF the
June Convention and the weak and Intellectual
effort Of the State Committee to compel him to
recant on the threat " being forced off the
ticket. The Hardin and Blackburn canvasses
Immediately coalesced and the committee. nav
ing fully surrendered to the free coinage
candidate for Governor. lifted the ban OF
It's dsapproval from the free coinage candidate
for Senator Mr.. Blackburn's campaign was
speedily reaccredited and stamped with all the
earmarks Of party regularity. ard since october
he has been holding meetings ana deliver
ing attacks upon the financial policy OF the Ad-
ministraton not only with the fullest sanction
Of the Democratic Campaign Committee, but
under express
So far Mr.. Blackburn has made his race for
the Senatorship against A very scattering field
1t was evident from the start that he would be
able to command a following in the Legislature
far outnumbering that of any OF his Demo-
cratic rivals. If not exceeding that Of all OF them
combined Having no competitor FOR the nomi-
nation within the free coinage ranks Mr.
Blackburn could reasonably co INT on holding
the full strength Of that faction in his struggle
at Frankfort. AS the out-and-out free coinage
counties Of the State are entitled to one
rth off fho nt al N "a
lature and elect nearly one-haf OF the Demo-
cratic membership In the two branches, the
natural odds ir Mr. Backburn's favor have
been more than formidable
The senior Senator has not been satisfied.
however, to depend for success on the vote or
the free-coinage strongholds in Western Ken
trcky and along the upper stretches or the
Ohio River. He has invaded the territory f
the Sound money" faction as well and In many
supposed Administration constituencies has sue
ceeded in capturing legislative nominations with
unexpected ease In each Of the cities Of Louis
ville CovingtOn, Newport and Lexington, the
natural Sound money" centres Of the State,
Mr. Blackburn has one or more OF the Demo
cratic nominees for the Legislature pledged To
his support, and even Bourbon County, the home
Of General Cassus NJ Clay the sound money
candidate before the Louisville Convention. will
send TO Frankfort a representative who favOrS
the election OF a FREQ coinage Senator.
BLACKBURN'S PERSONAL POPULARITY.
Mr. Blackburn has always enjoyed remark
able personal popularity in Kentucky More than
Carlisle, more than Lindsay. more than any other
Kentuckan now engaged In National politics. he
possesses the public and personal qualities which
In Kentucky have always been associated with
political leadership. A natural orator. In a State
where political oratOry has always been a popu-
lar passion, an open and courageous antagonist
on the stump or at the bar, a cultivated story
teller. a genial companion an exemplar OF all
those broadly masculine tastes and virtues which
make the typical Kentuckian Mr.. Blackburn
hlu hnny rcd
only BY the widest scope his acquaintance
among the voters Of the State. That. In spite OF
the bitter party feuds OF the last six months In
which he has borne conspicuous a part, he
still retains his hold on the great mass OF the
Democratic voters. cannot be questioned; and
II the election to the Senate were 10 be decided
by a popular vote. Mr.. Blackburn would probably
be assured Of another six years term at Wash
ington. Unfortunately for him. the Senatorial
succession is not to be determined at the polls.
but In the secrecy OF the caucus-rooms at FRANK
fort, where factional and personal intrigue will
have the widest play; and unless the friends Of
the Administration In the Legislature can be ef-
fectually cOwed by a decisive triumph on Mr.
Hardns part next MONTH partisan rancor is
likely 10 be famed into n flame In January. be-
fore whose consuming energy. personal attach
ments. even those OF lifetime, can scarcely hope
to stand.
SOUND MONEY DISSENSTONS.
Mr.. Blackburn has been favored, too. In his
canvass for reelection by apparent divisions
among his Sound money" opponents At the
beginning General s. Il. Buckner and Representa-
tive James b. McCreary. both ex-Governors. on
tered the lists as Administration candidates for
Mr.. Blackburn's seat. General Buckner was
radical gold standard Democrat and Mr. Nc
Creary posed conservative friend OF limited
silver coinage. A month more ago General
Buckner withdrew from the contest. seeing the
impossibility OF his making any satisfactory head"
way against Mr.. Blackburn. In announcing his
retirement he took occasion TO criticise Mr.. Me
Creary's attitude on the financial question as only
a little less dangerous and heretica than Mr.
Blackburn's, and warmly declared his hope that
neither Of these dsseminators Of unsound doc
trine would carry off the Senatorial nomination.
Mr. McCreary has made an elaborate canvass
Of the State and hopes TO attract 10 his support
the bulk of the sound money element elected to
the LEGISLATURE He has at present no active
mi rnf finr1c