Great Falls weekly tribune., 1896-06-26

Sttt EI1S "a u = EIoFs
The bolt OF the republican free coinage
advocates from the ST. Louis convoatio Il
has led to unlooked-for and almost in
credible developments. We do not and
will not believe until it is amply verified
that Senator Teller is party to the
movo inaugufatod to force him into a
nomination for the presidency as ;tn in
dependent candidate. In all his utter
ances, and especially those made during
the convention, he declared that the
matter Of free coinage was the one pre-
eminent question before the country
that upon securing it depended the well
fare of the people, and that to accom-
plish it be stood ready to make any sur
render or sacrifice that might be ncces-
eary. To give force ard effect 70 this
declaration ne walked out of the conven-
ton and temporarily, at least, severed
his connection with the republican party.
He knew that within the ranks Of that
organization there was no hope, hence his
action. He knew also that in the ranks
of the other great party the silve. senti
ment was on the increase and that all
the signs of the times indicated that the
democratic platform and candidates
would stand unequivocally fir the
cause he held so much at hear. lie
knew further that ii minority Of that
party would disagree with the majority
and cast their votes for d gold standard
man. lie knew that if there was any
hope for the triumph of the silver rause,
it lay in the united determined action
of all its advocates. Judged by his
statements, his one desire was the ac-
complishment Of the purpose, regardless
Of the instrument. As man of Il airs,
Mr.. Teller and those republicans who
are acting with him know that the sur
est road to victory for silver lies by way
of the Chicago convention, II The eX-
pected happens and ii declares
for free coinage. If he and his
followers are sincere, they will
await the action of that body.
1t will be the representative Of a great
party ard, if its voice be for silver, it viii
enter the campaign with the prestige OF q
name and the power Of an organization
behiud it, 1t will be the solid nucleus
around which all can rally, with an al
most certainty Of success. If the reverse
should occur at ~ -ago, then will be
Mr. Teller's oppolt unity 10 lead the hosts
who. divided in other matters, are united
on the cardinal issue-~siiver 1t is idle
to talk about Mr.. Teller becoming the
nominee of the Chicago convention.
Under no rule of politics, not even on the
score of policy, would he be available
The party contains many able men who
are as earnest, Jealous champions Of sill
YER as he is. To pass them over and put
him forward is out of the question, and
he certainly realizes that fact. There
fore. we say that the springing of his
name at this time will be an
have q tendency to weaken rather
than strengthen the men who are so
valiautly fighting to achieve success at
Chicago They and the cause deserve
better at his hands, and he should at
once make his position clear upon this
subject of his candidacy, If, after the
stand he has taken and the supposed
sacrifice he has made, he is not ready
to put aside the tempter and subordinate
personal ambition to the public good, he
is made Of weaker stuff than has been
supposed His duty as an honorable man
is plain. 1t is to promptly disavow the
movement that has been inaugurated,
and announce that he will not be a can
didate at Chicago, nor a candidate
against whoever may be named by that
convection. In other words, eliminate
himself from the contest until after the
democracy shall have spoken After
that if events should unfortunately
justify the naming Of an independent
ticket, he will be brought forward. If
he is welded to free coinage and desires
its SUCCESS, now is the time for Mr..
Teller TO speak in no uncertain tones,
now is the time for him to save himself
from his friends.