The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-07-04

Chicago. July 3.-Not since 1860. when
the democratic party met In convention
at Charleston, and split on the subject
OF slavery. has such an irreconcilable
difference of opinion existed on a
great question in issue as now con-
fronts the delegates who are assem-
bling here for the democratic conven-
tion. The situation which the demo-
Gratis faced then has its analogies In
the one which they confront to-day.
The northern democracy declaring for
squatter sovereignty later at Balti-
more. nominated Stephen A. Douglas,
while the seeding southern delegates,
declaring for the existence of slavery
In the territories under federal law.
named John C. Breckenridge. To-day
the democracy from the Alleghenies
west to the Pacific and from the Poto-
mac south to the Gulf, except for the
break in Wisconsin. Michigan and
Minnesota, so far as its voice will be
heard in the convention next week,
stands solid for the free coinage Of
silver at 16 to l. against the equally
solid gold standard democracy Of the
East
At the threshold Of the convention the
gold standard democrats are defeated
two to one. New York and the little
democratic states OF New Jersey and
Connecticut, which have since the
war always exercised a dominating in
fuence In democratic conventions and
have each four years named the can
didate. on the theory that New York
and the two small sister states were
the battle ground and their votes es-
sential to success, are to be sent to
the rear. The eastern democracy may
plead and cry aloud that free silver
candidate and a free silver platform
means disruption, disaster and ruin,
but their pleadings and cries fall ON
deaf ears.
The silver democracy is in the sad
die and will ride rough shod over pre-
cedent and tradition II necessary to
accomplish their purpose. That Is the
set determination Of the leaders. 1t is
In vain that the gold standard men
warn them of the certain loss of New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut at
the polls. They have reconciled them
selves that in the great boundless west
and middle states Of the Mississippi
valley will be found electoral votes
enough to Offset the detection In the
East. While there Is neither probable
ity nor even a possibility Of minority
bolt and another candidate being placed
in the field. as there was in 1861 so far
as the eastern states are concerned,
there might as well be. as support In
the electoral college from every state
east of Ohio has been voluntarily re-
linQuished by those In control for the
prospect Of a western and southern al
lance.
This remarkable change in the posi-
tion Of the national democratic conven-
tion towards New York and the East
entails other remarkable conditions
which will make the coming conven-
tion memorable. and. II Its de!ibera-
tions are crowned with success In No
vember. epoch making in the history of
American politics. At the door Of the
convention stand the representatives OF
the two other national parties, the
populists and the silverites. as well as
the leutenants of Senator Teller. who
led the silver bolt at st. Louis, ready
to pledge the support of their organi-
cation and their followers. III the con-
yention will put aside the candidates
from the ranks Of their party and
choose as the standard bearer in the
coming fight the man who. for so many
years, has been the commanding leader
of the silver forces in the United States
senate and who. two weeks ago, took
his hat and walked out of the conven-
tion of the party with which all his life
he had been identified. because that
party refused to endorse his views.
Senator Dubois and others OF Teller's
associates, Chairman Taubeneck OF the
populist party. Senator Stewart OF the
silver party are bending their energies
to impress upon the democratic silver
leaders the great strength Teller's
nomination would bring TO the cause OF
silver In which the convention is to en-
list itself. So far as Dubois and Tel
ler's associates are concerned. they say
they stand ready to give their heart
lest support to any recognized free sill
yer democrat whom the convention
might name. II the platform in other
respects is satisfactory, but they point
out that the free silver republicans
who would rally enthusiastically TO the
standard of Teller might not all vote
for democrat. while the populists. in
sofar as Taubeneck can speak for
them, openly declare that unless Sena-
tor Teller Is nominated. they will place
a ticket I'm the field at st. Louis with
Teller the nominee They show list
OF 81 electoral votes from the western
and Mississippi valley states which
will be given TO the nominee, more