New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09
NO SECESSION.

no SECESSION.
The present political campaign in this country
has reused in England what seem like echoes
Of Mr. Gladstone's maladroit prophecy of thirty
five years ago Alleged aniln0sities between
different States. or groups of States. form
stock subject of newspaper discussion. Even
1.-THE Spectator devOtes serious Lender to
american Centrfugalism." while other jour
nails less intelligent less friendly to America.
affect to consider the actual ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF
the Union possible, through revolt OF the
debtor West" against the creditor East For
this. as for much other misunderstanding of
America, American correspondents of the Eng
lIsh press are doubtless largely responsible.
When they write Of the war Of sections ana
of East against West" 1t Is not to be won
dered at that the matter-offact Briton thinks
secession Is again at hand. and listens Tor the
crack of doom on the banks of the Missouri.
There is of course, n difference of tone be-
tween the comments on Mr.. Bryan and those
on Jefferson Davis. Mr.. Gladstone IN 1861 was
distinctly exultant over what he thought the
certain wrecking Of the Republic; partly, no
doubt. because Of his dislike of republican In
situations. and partly because of the prospect
Of commercial and political advantage to Great
Britain which he saw in such an event AT this
time the average Briton would regard the dis
solution of this Republic or even It's degrade
ton under a Bryan Administration, with pro-
found regret, partly because Of a vastly in
creased sympathy with republican institutions
in general and with this Republic In particular,
and partly because in such a disaster Great Brit
ain would suffer heavy financial loss, with small
of tine in I'm ORC
or politics These discussions in the British
press Of possible disruption Of the American
Union, or Of forces which are supposed to make
for disruption, are therefore to be regarded as
the voice Of mlsapprehension rather than OF
malice, and as inspired, not by hope. but by fear.
That all such speculations groundless
needs, of course no demonstration 10 Americans.
Nor should it be difficult to persuade obseryant
foreigners of the fact Indeed, "The Spectator,
IN the article already mentioned, points out the
!mpossibty of secession by showing that the
issue Is, after all, not sectional, that all over
the country silver men and gold men are to he
found side by side. The forces of disorder are
dotted about among the strongest uph0lders OF
constitutional law. Nothing like geographical
line can be drawn between the two parties. nor
can one group of States be defined as wholly
IN favor of and another wholly opposed to free
coinage of silver 1t is idle to talk Of "Wcst
against East" for the Vice-Presidential candi-
date on the ticket of tie supposedly Western
party Is from the easternmost State. If any
State were to play the part of another South
Carolina, II would naturally be Nebraska Yet
1t IS Senator Thurston's State well as Mr..
Bryan'S and is by the best judges reckoned
likely TO vote against free coinage.
1t Is Idle TO talk Of secession disruption
when there Is a dominant National party strong
ly organized In all parts Of the Unlon definitely
committed TO a National policy, and enjoying
every prospect of success. Such is the Repub
lcan party to-day 1t maintained its integrity,
both of principle and Of organization at its Ma
tional Convention, the boilers being too few for
consideration 1t Is maintaining its integrity
both Of principle and of organization. In all the
States. Even in the Northwest, where the sill
yer sentiment Is supposed 10 be strongest, Re-
publican State conventions are strongly ratify
ing the National ticket and platform, and aye
even laying especial emphasis upon the sound
money plank. Such has been the case in Iowa
In Minnesota. in North and South Dakota in
Michigan and In Wisconsin. Such will be the
case In all or practically all the States. Some
dsaffectlOn there Is no doubt, and even some
boiling But the Republican party as an organ
| iZaton IS solid for honest money, and for the
| honor of the Nation, from Maine to California,
| and there Is good reason to believe that the
! few vacancies in It's ranks will be more than
| filled in this campaign by hOnes-money Demo
| Gratis, who are willing &c put patriotism above
| partisanshlp.
| But we may go far beyond all that and say
| that no matter what may be the fate of parties.
| or what the result Of the coming election, talk Of
| secession Is as idle as the whstling of the wind.
| If Mr.. Mckinley is elected the followers of Mr..
Bryan will not rebel, nor even think of such n
| thing but will industriously settle down to the
| enjoyment Of renewed prosperity If Mr.. Bryan
should be elected, the followers of Mr. Mckinley
| would not think of rebelling, but would patri-
| otically accept the stuation-for the time-and
| strive to lessen far possible the evils of
| his administration and to undo them and re
| place the Nation on an honest and honorable
basis at the earliest opportunity. The assault
| IS being made upon the moral, not the geograph-
| ical integrity Of the Union; upon the honor of
| the Republic, not upon the Republic itself
There Is every reason to hope that 1t will fail,
and that the Union will not be dshonored any
more than 1t will be discovered
.
| RELIGION OR PHILANTHROPY