New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-07
GOOD SIGNS.

The most cheering news of the day Is that the
silver craze Is rapidly yielding to argument and
information already, even where 1t has been
strongest There is no wisdom in underestimate
ing It's force. aud In several States 1t Is still
strong enough to warrant apprehension. If there
were not reason to believe that an active cam
palgn would materially reduce it, But 1t Is the
almost universal testimony of close observers
that 1t has been wildly exaggerated by the poll
tclans who having staked their future on the
success of the fight against honest money, are
now desperately anxious to prevent any reac-
ton The formation Of strong Republican clubs
in such State as Colorado the growing DISPOSE
ton of the people in the Pacific States and in
the wool-growing mountain States not TO sacr-
fee Protection for the benefit of silver mine
owners, are all hopeful signs
Secretary Mortons declaration against Bryan
and his platform indicates that the number OF
Democrats who will vote against Bryan in his
own State will be considerable. The almost
solid refusal Of the German voters to support
the party of Reputation adds to Bryan's diff
Guilty at home and in all other Western States.
But he has now to confront. also, the passion
ate resentment of the Populists at Chairman
Jones's utterance, and at the tricky device by
which it seems to be intended to prevent any
notification 10 Bryan of his nomination by the
Populists. and therefore any acceptance or re-
lection of 1t by him. To the Populists ii ap-
pears certain that it never was intended to al
| low Mr. BRYAN to commit himself as Populist
| in the least degree, but 10 run him as a Demo
! crat only, and to force into the Democratic
| ranks all who want to support him, or desire
share in the distribution Of spoils if he should
| be elected.
All the ingenious fusion arrangements which
the leaders of both parties are contriving at the
| West are liable to be rendered barren by this
| row between the Democratic National Commit
tee and the Populists of the South. Mr.. Wat
son. of Georgia was quick to see and to seize
his advantage His swift answer to Chairman
Jones would have been less swift and less I'M
compromising If he had not known full well the
meaning Of the juggling resolution passed by
Sepator Allen, but by nobody else, in the crazy
closing moments of the Populist Convention,
giving the Executive Committee plenary power
to do as it pleased-t0 pitch Watson off the
ticket if necessary or TO legalize any kind of
fusion This and the refusal TO appoint any
committee to notify Bryan of his nomination
disclose the intention which, as Watson says,
Is 10 reproduce the fusion of Jonah with the
whale All the adroitness OF Senator German
will be taxed to bring about even nominal
truce between the contendng elements each
wanting to swallow and exterminate the other.
If he succeeds with the conventions and lead
ers, how will he succeed with the Populist
| voters of the South and West:
1t Is one thing to contrive a fusion Of tickets for
electors. but another and very different thing TO
get all the Populists and all the Democrats TO
vote for the same ticket. The Sugar Trust Sen
ators who put through the tariff OF ''perfdy and
dshonor," showed wonderful capacity for over
coming obstacles, but they had to deal with forty
| individuals. This Is different matter. Half a
million voters cannot be handled exactly as one
handles pawns on a chessboard, particularly if
they are half million cranks, every man pre-
ternaturally suspicious OF gold bugs and political
tricks and filled with faith in his own attain
ments as a statesman and economist. The nom
nation Of Bryan was troublesome TO begin with
The nomination Of Sewall seemed TO have been
expressly designed to Kill Bryan. Then came
the crazy Populist Convention and platform. and
the nomination of Watson, making 1t necessary
for Bryan and his hackers TO choose between
Sewall and the straightout Populists who spurn
any candidate who dares not acknowledge him
self their nominee. Evidently Mr.. Bryan has
occasion TO come East about this time.