Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-24
HARDIN ON SILVER
An Extraordinary Meeting in Louis
vile Today.
DEMAND MADE BY THE GOLD MEN
Must Change His Utterances or
Step Down.
DEMOCRAC TROUBLE

meeting is in progress at Louisville
today which very forcihly illustrates the
great difficulty the democracy will have
next year in the effort to compromise the
silver question. The Kentucky situation
today will be the party's national situation
then, with the added embarrassments of
larger field and more varied partisan can
righteousness.
The Louisville meeting Is composed of the
members of the democratic state committe,
number of democratic editors in the
state. and Gen. Hardin, the democratic
nominee for governor. Gen. Hardin has
been called in from the stump to attend.
The necessity arises from his utterances
on the stump on the silver question.
An Extraordinary Proceeding.
The whole proceeding is most extraor-
dinary. Gen. Hardin took the stump only
last Monday. speaking in joint debate with
his republican opponent. His individual
views to silver were well known. He
had for years proclaimed himself a free
coinage man. Despite this, however. he
was chosen to lead his party in this fight
on on platform written by anti-silver men,
There seemed to be no room for a nisun-
derstanding on either side. The conven-
tion knew the candidate. and the candidate
knew the meaning of the platform. Gen.
recant on silver. He simply was silent on
the subject, and remained SO until last
Monday night.
His deliverance on that occasion so far
as silver was concerned was intended to be
a straddle. But the intention miscarried
Gen. Hardin proved not to possess the art
of holding to both sides at once. Educated
In politics in state where, for thirty
years. democracy, practically without dis
sension, has been supreme, and the only
divisions have grown out of dividing spoilS,
Gen. Hardin. in the real storm that arose
over an ISSUE lost his bearing completely.
Although trying to keep in the middle of
the river, he was thought to hug too close
ly the silver Shore and the result was
mutiny among his gold passengers. These
passengers are now demanding either that
he show a more satisfactory chart for the
remainder Of the trip. or that he quit the
hurricane deck and surrender command of
the boat. Virtually. therefore. and strip
ped of all igurative language, the PROPOSE
tion under discussion at Louisville involves
the putting forward of a new democratic
candidate for governor.
He Defends His Course.
But nobody believes that Gen. Hardin
will retire from the race, or upon returning
to the stump that he will make a speech
dictated by his critics Either step would
lead to his ruin. He defends his course
with some spirit. He claims to be inter-
preting the financial plank Of the Chicago
platform of 1892 precisely he did during
the presidential race of that year. He was
On the stump then, and spoke repeatedly,
erd he declares that no objection ever
reached him on the subject of what he
then interpreted that platform to mean.
But this spirit does not save him from
criticism now The gold men are insisting
that he Is msrepresenting the platform,
and are serving open notice of revolt on
him. He must recast his speech, If not his
views, or prepare to lose their support,
and at Louisville today he Is expected In
the party conference to make reply to
them.
What Instruction does all this convey to
the national democracy? Democrats of ma
tional influence are discussing the matter.
1t is conceded 10 be of moment. Obviously,
a new time Is at hand for the democracy
longer answer. Compromises must be
skillfully drafted Candidates must be
carefully chosen. Some point Of substan-
tial agreement must be reached and clearly
expressed. What would be the effect it Is
asked. of such a blunder in their national
convention next year as the democrats
have confessedly committed in the Ken
lucky convention? Could it possibly be re-
paired? There is claimed to be some small
hCpe in the case of Gen. Hardin. 1t Is still
expected that in state where for so many
years the democracy has won at times by
sheer force of popular prejudice, success in
the end may be snatched from even the
existing complications. AS the canvass
proceeds the old prejudices will be appeal
ed 10, and having served so often they may
serve again. But in the national field the
case, 1t Is pointed out. would be altogether
different. All eyes will be fixed on silver
next year The sharpest intelligences will
be brought to bear on the national conven-
tion's financial delverance. The candi-
dates past record and more recent utter
ances will be subjected to the most search
Ing scrutiny. An unsuccessful piece Of
phrase making then. or an inapt conbina-
ton of platte rm end candidate would, it
is thought, make success at the polls i'm
possible.
Watching Developments.
Democratic leaders in other states are
watching developments in the blue grass
state with much interest and solicitude.
A trip-up there this fall ElIght send the
.Il