The Indianapolis journal., 1895-06-28
THE KENTUCKY LESSON.

The change of sentiment in Kentucky
the vote on the platform by the State
convention, on Wednesday. contains a
lesson from which men taking an active
interest in party politics may profit.
Kentucky has been a free coinage State.
Senator Blackburn carried the conven-
ton in 1891 for free coinage by an en-
phatic vote. For years most Of Ken
tucky's representatives in Congress have
championed the free and unlimited COIN
age of silver. Mr.. Carlisle was in favor
of free coinage in 1890 or in 1891. Con-
sequently. in the height of the recent
craze, the man who was seeking nomi-
nation or reelection in Kentucky natur-
ally put himself on that side. General
Hardin did, and Senator Blackburn
came home and declared that he would
make his canvass for reelection to the
Senate on that issue. Six weeks ago the
man who would have predicted that the
free coinage people would not have two
thirds of the delegates TO the State con-
vention would have been regarded as
beside himself. After Hardin and Black
burn had made several speeches eX-
Governor Buckner came out for sound
money. All the while, however, the
Louisville Courier-Journal had been
combating the free coinage proposition
with rare ability and persistence. Every
issue was broadside into the ranks Of
the heresy. 1t was not abuse, but facts
put within the comprehension of the
people. Other papers followed the
Courier-Journal. Senator Lindsay spoke
for sound money, and later the influence
of Secretary Carlisle was added.
Throughout the State the Silver heresy
was combated with plain facts, before
which the demagogy of the silverites
was scattered like darkness before the
morning sun. More than any other in
fiuence, the courageous and able course
Of the Courier-Journal was potential In
six weeks, because OF the brave fight
for sound money. Democratic sentiment
in Kentucky was reyolutionized.
The lesson which this contest enforces
is that those who have a good cause can
afford to go to their party with II if there
sons, close to an election, or Of unusual
excitement, when the public mind is not
prepared for fact and argument, but or
dinarily, when there is time to go before
the masses. a good cause will receive
their support if presented with facts
and arguments. 1t is great mistake to
assume, as demagogues and the timid
do. that it is easier to humbug the peo-
pie or to secure their support by appeals
to prejudice, than it is to go to them
and address their good sense and their
Intelligence. There is nothing like the
courage of conviction and a good cause.
The silver heresy is great menace to
the general prosperity. and it is not diff
ficult to make people see ii who are open
to conviction, as they were in Kentucky.
In 1875 the Ohio Republicans gave an
illustration of the power of a courageous
presentation Of the truth to the people
All the West was going wild after fiat
money. The Democratic party in every
State had declared against the resump-
ton act. In 1873 Ohio had been carried
by the Democrats on that issue by a
good plurality, while the Republicans
temporized with the heresy. In 1875 the
Republicans declared for specie pay
ments and against fiat money. Boldly
they made the campaign on that issue,
and won. Had they faltered or equivo-
Gated or straddled, they would have lost
They had the courage of their convic-
tions, trusted their cause to the people.
and won. If the Republicans and others
who believe in sound money will meet
the propositions of the silver mine own
ers with courage and facts, that danger
Gus heresy will be wiped out as it has
been in Kentucky by the Democracy.