The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-28
TUINIRLE-EIGGING.

when Michigan's Democratic Conven-
ton voted in favor OF sound money we
thought a turn had come in the tide and
that the whole Northwest would declare
f6r sound money which would give the
sound-money men control Of the National
Democratic Convention. Bat It has since
then become plain that the Mich
igan business was manipu-
lated and managed one. and that II
affords no indication Of how Illinois,
ohio. Indiana. and the other Northwest
ern States will cast their votes. We are
compelled. indeed. TO admit that the out
look I'm those States is very bad. ana
nothing it seems but miracle can I've
vent their Democratic conventions from
declaring for free silver. which would, OF
course give the control OF the National
Convention 10 the free-silvsr clcmrnt.
The majority Of the National Democratic
Committee, which viii have control OF The
organization Of the National Conventions
composed OF sound-money men. and hints
have been thrown out in the last week
n
as 10 give the organization OF the con-
vention u the sound-money men. This
is 10 be done. it is suggested, by refusing
TO allow free-silyer men, VINO have
threatened 10 bolt il sound-mjncy man
Is nominated TO take their sects, aad IN
the case of contesting delegates. TO seat
the gold delegates. ia this way, 1t IS
| threatened TO give majority Of the con-
,ention to the single staniarl men, ana
Mr.. Harrity. the chaTHaa OF The com
mittee. has recently made some utter
ances that seem capable Of an lnterDre-
tation Of this sort.
For one. The Times lifts IT'S voice IN
most positive protest against anything OF
the kind. We have now not the slightest
doubt that the free-silt'r element II the
Democratic party has large majority Of
the voters OF that party. and II that be
d fact. that element is entitled to the
control Of the National Convention and
il is not to be tolerated that II shall
be thimble-riggcd out of a conrtol that its
numbers entitled il to. That IS not the
way 10 deal with the case. The way 10
deal with it is to allow this element tree
course in the exercise of a power that
/ belongs to it,. and for the rest of us 10
stand quietly 10y until they rush upon
their fate and are dashed TO pieces. Al
ter that we can reform the party upon
sound principles. and 90 before The coun-
Try asking for its confidence ard support
because we are advocating principles
| that entitle us to that confidence and
| support. That is the manly and straight
| forward way TO deal with the case, and
nothing but disaster and humiliation will
| be the lot Of those VINO attempt 10 secure
TO themselves by trickery an advantage
/ that does not belong to them OF right.
Tie truth is this fight has got TO be
| fought out at one time or another. and
now is as good a time for 1t as any other
II the free coiners are in majority in
| our party. as now seems almost certain,
let them unhindered adopt their free
silver platform and nominate their free
silver man. Whatever platform the Re
! publican party may adopt. and whoever
| it may nominate. it Will in that case. be
/ understood by the country as the party
! that is standing for sound money against
cheap money, and the contest Will be
fought out before the people with that
understood by them as the issue and as
the election goes. so will the question Of
! money he held 10 be settled. If the
! Democratic ticket wins, the world Will
set US down as a cheap-money country:
IL the Republican ticket wins. it viii SET
us down as a sound-money country. and
silver Will either triumph or ne de-
| stroyed. as the election goes. so lei
| US have II out.