Evening star., 1896-02-14
Mr.. WILLIAM c. WHITNEY
He Will Not Accept the Invitation of
Mississippi
Effort to Prevent q Party Split-TO
Write n Letter ON tho
Situation.


become candidate for the presidency
would be neither important nor impressive
if it really meant that. 1t might even be
Injurious to Mr.. Whitney. For, matter
of fact the idea did not originate in Mis-
sissippi, but in New York. The Mississip
plans were simply politely prodded into
the performance. To take it literally, there
fore, would be to put Mr.. Whitney on
level with the old-fashoned strolling music
teacher, who, when the term was up. was
accustomed to write a nattering request to
himself to give public concert, assisted by
the members of his class. then get a num-
Der of his patrons and their friends to sign
it, and then in n modest and alluring way
accept the invitation, and pocket the money
taken in at the door.
Simply to Help His Party.
But it is due Mr.. Whitney to say that
for personal ends he is wink!ng at the
fishing of no compliments for himself. He
is not a candidate for the presidency, and
will not become one on anybody's solicita-
ton. He has said this in all seriousness
several times, and those who are in his
confidence are very certain that he cannot
be swerved from that purpose. But he can
help his party materially at this juncture In
another way, and that he will do.
The democratic leaders are greatly alarm
ed about the outlook. A split in the party
and irremedable disaster are seriously
threatened. A most earnest effort is max
ing to prevent such a catastrophe. If any
combination can win it must be the old
combination. The south must he appealed
TO on the old line. She must Be urged to
consider, above silver and everything else
the question of the preservation of her
white civilization. She must be brought to
believe that this is seriously threatened in
the present trend toward republican ma
tional success. Those northern states act
ing heretofore with the south must be urged
to act again with her. Democracy means
SO much to them, as Well as to her. All
dlferences must disappear in the presence
Oh such danger. The common enemy for
the common good must, 1t is urged, again
be met by united front. and defeated.
Meaning of the Move.
Behold, now, the force and the meaning of
the New York delverance by the way of
Mississippi. Mr. Whitney is a gold man
as extreme on that question as Mr.. Cleve-
land is himself. If he were in the White
House now he would do on the money ques-
ton about what Mr.. Cleveland is doing But
he is democrat, and he wants the party TO
hold together. Mississippi is silver state
as extreme on that line as any in the Union
She eats, drinks, talks and dreams free
coinage. And yet, in the name of democ-
racy and for the preservation Of democ-
racy, she requests this gold man to stand
for the presidency and pledges him her s,lrl-
port. Ought not this to influence the DEM
ocrats of other states? If Mississippi, with
Ter extreme silver views, can extend her
tand to Mr. Whitney, gold man and a New
York millionaire, cannot harmony every
Where be made to prevail? What is to pre-
vent it?
VIII Write a Letter,
And now the scene shifts back to New
York. This invitation, so cordial in tone
will be laid before Mr.. Whitney, and he will
carefully consider it. No confidence is yio-
lated in the statement that II will not take
him altogether by surprise. Neither is any
confidence violated in the statement that he
will not accept it. But he will write a letter
addressed, of course, to the Mississippi dem
ccrats, but intended for circulation ali over
the country and certain TO be widely read
in which he will go at length into the whole
situation and point out the path that must
be followed If democracy is to be saved He
VIII be impressed with, and profoundly
self. and he will explain his inability TO
make the race But he will al the same time
suggest that there are others; he may even
call some of them by name.
Variation Oh the '92 Program.
This program, as arranged, is simply
variation on the program of 1892. In that
year Mr. Whitney appeared at Chicago in
the role of paciicator. 1t was very diff
cult role to play, and some democrats have
since regretted that he played it so we'll
but no .ne has ever denied that he did not
play it exceedingly. well. He is to appear
thus as pacificator again. This time at
long range. But he is capable man at
any range. He touches at many points
Tammany likes him, and yet he is not a
member of the Hall Mr. Cleveland likes
him, although he never comes to Washing
ton, and has no connection with the ad-
ministratio The south likes him. although
he is gold man, and the north likes him.
despite the fact that the silver men like
him.
Will Not BE q Candidate.
But, for ali this, he will not be the party's
candidate this year for President. He needs
himself in his business.