The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
THE DEMOCRACY IN 1895.

To the Editor Of the San Francisco Cdlt-SIR:
The Atlanta Constitution has long enjoyed the
distinction of being by far the ablest and most
fore-ooking Democratic journal in the South,
perhaps / should say the New South, Tor 1t is
abreast of the new era of progress which is rap
idly changing the whole face of society in the
southern States. In politics it resolutely faces
the future rather than regretfully revert Its
gaze to the receding glory and ascendency OF
the past. 1t manfully accepts the new condl-
tlons industrial and political, and proposes to
lead and mold inste ad of follow and moan. 1t
Seems worth while, then, to hear what it has TO
say OF the political effects of the recent State
elections.
1.-THE result in general can be counted and
measured. In every State where the Demo-
Gratis made sweeping Endorsement OF the adj
ministration's policy the party was practically
destroyed.
sin the South, with this result staring us in
the face. with the disruption of the party
threatened on all sides, it becomes important
TO take measures to preserve intact our State
organization to the end that genuine Demo-
Gratis in all parts of the country may have nu-
cieus and rallying point, and to the further
end that the principles of the old party may
not be scattered before the wind and driven
from the face of the EARTH
When the Atlanta Constitution is moved to
speak out as above in denunciation of the gold
fess the fact that "the disruption OF
the party is threatened on all sides,'' the
prospects of the Democracy in 1896 are sufi-
GENTLY problematical. In the light of the re-
cent State elections one need not go far astray
In forecasting the utilization of the delegates to
the next National Democratic Convention, and
we can understand the perturbation of the At
lanta Constitution 1t is not me re guesswork
to enumerate the following States as sure for
the gold standard in convention composed OF
902 delegates:
Connecticut, IL delegates: Delaware, 6; Dis
trict OF Columbia, 2; Indiana, 30; Iowa, 20 ;
Kentucky. %; Michigan, %; Massachusetts,
80; Maine, y; Minnesota. 1S; Maryland. 16;
20; New York 70; Ohio, 40; Pennsylvania, Cd;
Rhode Island, 8; Vermont, 8; Virginia "a;
West Virginia, IL; Wisconsin, "a; total, sos.
While the above States may be safe for the
gold standard policy, it is not safe to rely upon
all OF the following States as sure for free sill
ver: Alabama, % delegates; Arkansas, 16;
California, 10; Colorado, 8; Florida, 8; Geor-
gia. %; Idaho, 81 Illinois, 4S; Kansas, 20;
Louisiana, 10; Mississippi, IS; Missouri, 81;
Montana, 6; Nevada, 6; North Carolina, %;
1S; South Dakota, 8; Tennessee, "a; Texas. 30;
Washington, g; Wyoming, 6; Alaska, 2; Ari-
IONA, 2; New Mexico, 2; oklahoma, 2; Utah,
2; Indian Territory, 2; total. 1874.
60115 to nominate. 1t is not easy to determine
where the other necessary SO votes are to be
found. Possibly Alabama may supply %, Cali
fornia 10, Illinois 4S and Kansas 20, making
more than the number needed. On the other
hand, if the free-sllver men refuse to surrender
there will be merry war, ending probably in
the withdrawal OF the silver delegates, who
will then indorse the joint candidates of the
silverites and Populists, as the union of the
two latter silver forces on joint candidates
surprising that the Atlanta Constitution sees
signs on all sides which threaten the disruption
OF the party. JOSEPH AsBURY JOHNSON,
II Essex street, City.