New-York tribune., 1896-07-29
THE DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE.


The failure of the Democratic State Com
mittee yesterday to indicate in any way lis AT
t.tule toward the Chicago nominees leaves the
ranl, and file Of the party as unsettled rs th"y
were before this much-heradcd meeting, when
ii was hoped would give light and leading to
expectant Democrats. But the only light they
get is that Senator Hill and tie other leaders
consider the situation SO delicate that convic-
tons must be held in abeyance until Septcin-
bor l6. when the state Convention will decide
whether to support Bryan or third ticket. or
10 ignore the fact that there is to be n PreS-
DENTAL election and leave individual Democrats
TO follow their own devices untroubled.
Meanwhile Republicans may wait with pa
tiencc Oh the decision 10 he made They Will
realize the difficulties under which the sound
money Democrats labor, ana will not be in
clnel to embarraa> the' tounsrls by urging
haste. however much active and immediate CO.
operation may be needed Ia combat the free
silver craze. 1t Is 10 be assumed that all sound
money Democrats are sincerely deslrous or the
election of Mckinley, no matter how little
either Mckinley or Republicanlsm agrees with
their political taste, well knowing that in his
election Is the only safety from reputation and
dishonOr The only question fOr them TO CON
slider is how they az Democrats may best bring
about the election of Mckinley. Since they
ask that. ia view of their devotion 10 sound
money, the Republicans lay aside all other
Republican doctrines and cease to be partisans.
or to consider their nominee as partisan can
didate in the sense Of being devoted to party
principles not believed in by them doubtless
they concede the complement Of what they ask
and plan their course with view solely to the
present emergency and without regard TO the
future of the Democratic organization. Their
object Is McKinley's election, and their prob
lem Is how to bring 1t about. That is a deli
cate question. on which there may we'll be a
difference OF opinion Republican observers
are divided on it, just as are the Democratic
leaders who bear the burden OF the decision.
viii third ticket draw more votes from Bryan
than from Mckinley? Can it's campaign be so
conducted as to hand on TO Mckinley the vote
Of every Democrat whose sOundmOney convic-
'tions outweigh his party prejudice, while hold
ing the vote Of every thick -and-thin Democrat
who is dissatisfied with the wild declarations
Of the Chicago Convention! If so, a third
ticket is desirable in the interest of patriotism.
But If such ticket is likely to leave the strict
party man with Bryan and become stopping
do not happen to agree with Mckinley on other
topics, II 1t will In the slightest degree endan-
ger McKinley's election or even reduce his
plurallties and consequently the force of the
rebuke to the Anarchist propaganda. then no
consideration Of future party interest should
induce the nomination of separate candidates.
The supreme issue is the preservation OF the
cOuntrys financial honor and no organization
policy should stand In the way.
1t will be said that the State Committee wait
ed on the issue of events less from q desire to
discover from them the best way TO fight for n
principle. than from desire 10 discover what
principle II may he expedient to support in Sep
tcmber But 1t Is to be remembered that party
managers have to consider practical politics as
we'll as abstract principles, and, IL possible, TO
hold diverse elements in check until the time
Is ripe for making them together effective In
one direction. The determination of many of
the Tnmmany men to 20 ahead mt once and
ra,ify Bryans nomination somewhat mars the
effect Of this studied reticence OF the Organiza-
tlon but Notwithstanding Sheehans and Pur-
roys action outside. their subOrdnation In the
committee was purchased by keeping sound
money sentiment In the background. and the
future Is left TO develop party policy, md
there is nothing on record to trouble Senator
Ill., whatever course he finally determines to
pursue. Meanwhile the sound-money Demo
Gratis have an opportunity TO wear out the
sensiveness That alliance with Republicans
causes them by doing active missionary work
in their own party and making sound-money
sentiment in II SO strong that senator Hill and
the organization will at the proper time sec
that good policy dictates support of an honest
financial system.