The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-07-04

Gold Democrats Admit a Probable Defeat
by silver Men.

bt silver mtn.
New York. June 20.--William c. Whit
ney has served notice on the silver
democrats that the sound money men
would not support n free coinage ma
tional platform or silver nominees for
president and vice president lie prac-
tically has said farewell TO the party
for the time being. He acknowledges
that the reins of power in the coming
convention at Chicago will be held by
the advocates of free coinage, and in SO
doing says their victory will mean the
practical disruption of the party.
This declaration, taken in connection
with Mr.. Whitney's signed statement
issued Sunday, June 81, makes interest
ing reading. In his pronunciamento.
while practically admitting defeat for
sound money at Chicago, he strongly
urged n compromise on the financial
question. He declares now in so many
words that compromise is impossible
In making this latter statement he tells
the silver democrats from the south
and west that II they would preserve
party organization surrender is open to
them. but unless they yield the time for
the parting of the ways has come.
This declaration is viewed by poll
ticans as the undoubted result OF the
conference held Friday night by Mr..
Whitney with Senator Hill and other
democratic leaders of the eastern sound
money faction. The situation. IL il
known, was thoroughly reviewed then.
II was acknowledged by all that silver
would rule at Chicago. The possibility
Of the unscating of enough sound
money delegates to give the requisite
two-thirds majority for free coinage
was considered. The apparent certainty
that IL this is not done the two-thirds
rule would be revoked and republican
procedure on nomination followed was
conceded. The upshot OF all this, II IL
held. was that Mr.. Whitney, who for
months past has been recognized as the
spokesman for the gold standard ring
of the party. was authorized 10 issue
words of both warning and defiance.
An interview Saturday with Mr..
Whitney resulted as follows:
What arr. the chances OF sound money
in chicago?'
Unless tho situation changes and our
southern and western friends are disposed
20 reason with us no chance whatever"
What do you hear from the south and
west?"
Judging by the letters receive there Is
no apparent disposition 20 discuss the mat
ter at issue. fear II has gone beyond that
point"
''Have you asked Senators German and
Brice 20 attend tho convention as n party
duty?"
NO; they have no reason TO believe they
could accomplish anything None OF us
has"
IF a free coinage candidate is nomi-
mated on free coinage platform what Will
be the result7"
practically Il viii disrupt the democratic
party. No power on earth can coerce or
persuade sound money democrats TO for
sake the fundamental principle OF democ-
racy. They do not regard this question as
either fractional, sectional or political The
maintenance OF the national credit II n
matter OF national honor. The Saratoga
platform emphasizes this fact. 1t says that
the rigid maintenance OF tho present gold
standard at the present time II essential
to the preservation OF our national credit
the redemption OF our public pledges and
the keeping inviolate OF our country's
honor That Is New York's position. IL
Is as positive as words can express, and
IL cannot be changed"
Then you do not look for a compro-
mise7"
Compromise is impossible. Debasement
OF the currency would be more than mon
strous I'm effect. IL would be abandonment
OF principle. IL would disgrace every cti-
zen. IL would be not merely dishonest, IL
would be dishonorabie. And you cannot
compromise a question or honor"
What do you expect to do In Chicago7'
do everything In our power 10 save the
party and protect the country. That IL the
plain duty OF every democrat who goes to
Chicago, and IL is none tho less the duty OF
those who stay at home not 10 hamper tho
Efforts OK those who so. ~ those who stay
at home l mean not merely democrats,
mean 20 include every good citizen regard
less OF party or preJuuices. The crisis which
has come upon us ~ the most serious men
ace to national prosperity and the well
fare OF the people since 1860. This Ia time
when all mon who love their country must
stand together TO avert. II possible, pub
lie disgrace and the wreck OF hundreds
OF thousands OF homes throughout the en-
tire country"
you do not despair OF success. them"
mo. We cannot tell whether the knoWl-
edge OF the attitude OF eastern democrats
viii affect the determination OF the south
ern and western democrats, who have NOT
known until the past week how strong the
feeling here Is. The vigorous expression OF
our position may cause hesitation. especial
ly among the rank and nlc OF the deTuoc-
Iacy, who | cannot believe want TO drive
all eastern democrats out OF the party. L
know some OF the leaders OF tho movement
assume that attitude. and l am not yet
convinced that the people arc behind them.
And n not they VIII make their wishes
known and fclt -