Connecticut western news., 1896-07-02
Whitney on the Issue.


 NEW YORK, June 80. - Ex- Secretary William C. Whitney, who will be the leader of the gold standard forces at the Chicago convention, has given out tine fol- lowing for publications:
 How is the campaign progressingF' he was asked.
 Like 1860, If the truth must be told"
 What are the chances of sound money in Chicago?"
 "Unless the situation changes and our southern and western friends are disposed to reason with us, no chance whatever"
 What do you hear from the south and wests"
 Judging by the letters I receive there is no apparent disposition to discuss the matter at issue. l fear 1t has gone beyond that point"
 Have you asked Senators German and Brice to attend the convention as party dutyp'
 No. They have no reason to believe that they could accomplish anything. None of us have"
 If free coinage candidate Is nominat- cd on a free coinage platform, what will be tho resultY"
 Practically 1t will disrupt the Demo- cratic party. No power on earth can coerce or persuade sound money Democrats to 
 mooracy. They do not regard this ques- tion as either faotional, sectional or politi- cal The maintenance of national credit Is matter of national honor. The Sara togo platform emphasizes this fact. It says that the rigid maintenance of the present gold standard at the present time is essential to tho preservation of our na- tional credit, the redemption of our public pledges and the keeping inviolate of our country's honor.' That is New York's position. It Is positive words can express. And it cannot be changed"
 "Then you do not look for compro- mise?'
 "Compromise Is impossible. Debase- ment of the currency would be moro than monstrous In effect. It would be abandon ment of principle. It would disgrace ev- cry citizen. It would be not merely dis honest. It would he dishonorable. And you cannot compromise question of honor"
 "what do you expent to do in ChicagoS" "Do everything in our power to save tho party and protect tho country. That Is the plain duty of every Democrat who goes to Chicago, and 1t Is none the less the duty of those who stay at home not to hamper the efforts Of those who go. And by those who stay ut home l mean not merely Democrats. l mean to Include ev- cry good citizen regardless of politics or prejudices. The crisis which has como upon us is tho most serious menace to na- tional prosperity and the welfare of the people since 1880 This Is a time when all men who love their country must stand together to avert if possible public dis grace and the wreck of hundreds of thou sands of homes throughout tho entire | country"
 You do not despair of success thens' "No. We cannot yet tell whether the Knowledge of the attitude of eastern Dem | ocrats will affect the determination of iLe southern and western Democrats, who | have not known until within the last week how strong the feeling here is. The wig orous expression of our position may cause hestitation, especially among the rank | and file of the Democracy, who, l cannot believe want to drive all eastern Demo- crats out of the party. I know some If | the leaders of tho movement assume that attitude, but I am not yet convinced that | the people aro behind them. And. if nut they will make their wishes known and | felt '