The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-03
campbeII's bad Advice.


Ex-Gov. Campbell OF Ohio regards him
self as a presidential possibility. and is
therefore trying to bring himself to the
attention OF democrats throughout the
country He suggests that the differences
of democrats on the silver question be
compromised. The compromise he propos-
IS is that II be the policy of the demo-
cratic party that this government give no
tice to the world that IL will. after three
years. open its minis to the free and IN
limited coinage Of silver.4 Mr.. Campbell
seems 10 think that such notice would
be sufficient to induce European govern
ments to join with this country in bring
ing about free silver coinage.
Such a compromise. as that would bring
certain defeat 20 the democrats. 1t would
not be satisfactory to either the sound
money democrats or the democrats who
believe in the free and unlimited coinage
of silver. 1t would make the democrats
sPiritIess during the presidential cam
paign. 1t is doubtful if 1t would enable
them to carry single state.
The thing for the democratic party to do
is to come out boldly and squarely for
sound money. Let the republicans do the
straddling and compromising and let the
populists have all the benefit they can get
out Of their declaration in favor OF the
free and unlimited coinage of silver.
1t is quite clear that the republicans are
going TO straddle the silver question. They
will do it with the hope Of holding within
the ranks of their party those of its MEM
bers who are silverites. The silver planks
in some of the state platforms which they
have adopted are far from being satisfac-
tory to the great mass of republicans.
They are condemned by the sound money
republicans and are sneered at by the sill
verites. If the national republican plat
form should not be any stronger on the
silver question than are the platforms of
the republicans of Ohio and New Hamp-
shire hundreds of thousands of republic
cans would not vote the national republi-
can ticket if there was a sound money
ticket in the field.
The democratic party should make a
strong declaration in favor of sound mon
ey. If it should do that it would draw to
its support sound money men in all parts
of the country 1t would draw enough
sound money men from the other parties to
give it the victory in the presidential con-
test The New York Herald, speaking of
the straddling resolutions on the financial
question which the Ohio and New Hamp-
shire republicans at their state conven-
tions adopted. says: 1T seems evident that,
if they reflect the opinions of their party
generally the democracy will have an ex-
cellent chance of winning an overwhelm-
ing victory with a reliable sound money
candidate. Despite occasional departures
from it's traditions and principles, the par
ty of Jefferson and jackson is the sound
money party of American history, and If
it will now re-establish its disordered lines
under true and daring leaders and rally to
it's old standards it will quickly recover its
ancient prestige and power"
Ex-Gov. Campbell is mistaken in think
ing that it would be wise for the demo-
Gratis to agree to a compromise of their
differences on the silver question. This is
not year for compromises or straddles.
The people are heartily tired of the pres
ent uncertainty in financial matters. They
want the silver question definitely settled.
The great majority of them want the set
Element to be in favor of sound money. If
the democratic party adopts a sound mon
ey platform and dominates sound money
candidates it will sweep the country.