The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-14
OTHER REASONS FOR TNDEPEND-
ENT ACTION.

The necessity for following the Dem
ocratic convention by putting in the
field Democratic ticket standing on
Democratic platform has been pointed
out already by the G lobe. In addi-
ton to the strong reasons for this pol
icy already presented, another has been
suggested which will commend itself to
thoughtful Democrats. No one can
question that the whole campaign will
turn this year upon the financial ques-
ton. AS it is to be campaign of edu-
cation, the voters must get their in
formation from public speeches and
printed documents. Now, those who ad-
Vocate the election Of the Chicago nom
inees upon the Chicago platform must
OF course, speak and write in favor of
the free coinage Of silver at the ratio
Of 16 to 1 by the United States. AS
Things now stand, the only source from
which correct ideas ard information
on the right side can emanate will be
the Republican party committees and
the addresses of Republican candi-
dates for Office. Therefore, the Demo-
crat who is willing, for the present, to
sink party considerations in behalf Of
the salvation Of the republic can not
obtain the information which he needs,
and which will support him in his ac-
ton. except from Republican sources.
That Is to say, If there is not another
IN ov,}rx ffn,,
field, sound money Democrats are cut
off, for this campaign, from all COM
munication with their party; and they
are referred for Information. and argu-
ment Of the financial question to Re-
publican sources. where they can OBJ
tain 1t only mixed with other doctrine
especially relating to the tariff, which
is offensive to them and false and per-
nicious In itself
This Is only one phase Of the en-
barrassment and injustice which from
SO to rs per cent of the Democratic
party will experience IL it Is to be left
without a recognized leader or a plat
form to stand upon Can the
so strong an impulse toward con-
Meeting themselves permanently with
the Republican party? Is not this q
danger to the future Of Democracy
that must be averted? Moreover, It is
not only passing danger but a per-
manent one; for the control Of the
party machinery or its committees, by
which future conventions will be called
and their complexion in large meas
ure determined, will remain in the
hands Of the free silver men. Before
this campaign is over they will have
made what they call their Democracy
practically identical with Populism.
The sour.d money Democrats can re-
join the ranks and act, in the future,
with their old associates only on con-
dition Of adhesion to doctrines which
are even more offensive to them than
they are today.
To put 1t briefly, it seems to us that
1t Is the existence of Democracy itself
that Is at stake. Put no other ticket
in the field this year ard the contest
lies between Republicanism and Popu-
ism alone. That will be the future
choice of the voter, and the name and
fame Of Democracy will pass into an
historical "Reminiscences. Dare the Dem
ocratic party invite that oblivion for
the Democratic name.5 and has it any
right to shut in the people Of this
country, vast majority Of whom, we
believe. are as utterly ard equally op-
posed to Mckinley. forever to this
choice between two evils? 1t is 8. ques-
ton to which 1t seems to US there can
be but one answer.