Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-09
(F'or the Dispatch.)

The outcome OF the Kentucky Democrat
10 Convention a few days ago seems TO
be accepted as defeat for the silver sioe
OF the party. 1t does not very strongly
strike me so. AS l understand TX, the
the currency plank OF the platform adopt
ed there is neither more nor less tnan
same old pliable plank OF the national
Democratic platform of 1892. AS we all
know. that Delphc utterance has always
been construed by the gold men as IA
yoring gold, and by the silver men as Ia
voring silver. So. as 10 the declaration
on the currency question In the Kentucky
platform, the result was a drawn game,
with little IL any ground for exultation on
either side. 1t is true the convention
endorsed, and with warmth apparently,
both Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Carlisle but
IL the convention had refused TO do so
IL would have been almost lese-maJesty
in the eyes OF many loyal Democrats,
doubtless, who are earnestly enlisted In
the bimetallc cause. 1t Is a canon, both
of etiquette and policy, for State con-
vention TO express approval OF the adInlh-
istration put In power by its party. What
does the nomination of free coinage man
for Governor signify? can see nothing
savoring OF defeat for silver in that fact,
and that fact was the chief feature IN
all the proceedings OF the convention, OF
considered. was not victory for the gold
men; nor was it victory for free silver.
either. 1t simply leaves both sides as
they were before.
In my Judgment for good generalship
the leaders OF the bimetallsts are SHOW
ing too much Impotence and impulse IN
challenging conflicts before their forces
are organized. They seem 10 forget that
their superiority in numbers II not all
that is necessary for successful encounter
with the opposition. The truth and
business and inspiring character Of their
cause seem to be making them overconf-
dent Besides. while the issue OF BIZ
metallism Is to be the supreme issue next
year. in the national elections, IL cannot
be legitimately forced forward as-<he SUI
preme issue In local and State elections
this year.
The masses Of the people-farmers. me-
chanics, manufacturers. producers in all
the departments Of Industrial energy
are rapidly learning the great economic
lesson that teaches them t. range them
selves on the side opposite to the side on
which the bankers, the bondhoders. the
mere money breeders generally, are stand
ing like a phalanx. with shields locked.
anxiously waiting for the onset Of the peo-
pie against the financial policy which Is
~ deadly TO their personal welfare as II
is to the principles on which our great
republic came into existence. The lesson
will have been well learned throughout
the length and breadth Of the land ere an
other year shall have gone by. Then
the free-cOinage men will be ready and
rampant for the wrestling of the giants,
and If the silver giant is not easily the
victor the horoscope that the signs of the
times are casting now will be falsifed
unaccountably. The American people
are neither silly enough nor profane
enough 10 turn away from the benefactiOn
God has given them in making their
country the great silver-producing country
OF the world.
Let us have free coinage boldly embla-
zoned on the Democratic flag for the cam
paign of 1896. ana the victory will be over
whelmingly ours. The affair in Ken
lucky has nothing discouragng about it.
On the contrary. a salutary lesson may
be learned from it. BAKER T.. LEE.
Hampton, Va, July /, 1895.