The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-20
DON'T DEsERTIN FACE OF THE EN-
ENVY.

The Times has advised all sound-money
Democrats TO 20 into the primary ana
do their utmost to have their views
represented, both at the Stanton ana
Chicago conventions, even though there
may be an express or implied obligation
to vote for the nominee of the Chicago
Convention. provided however that nomi-
nee is chosen by united convention ana
by the methods which have been the
established practice Of the party for
sixty years.
The reasons for this advice are, in
brief. that sound-monoy Democrats can
not abandon their party, which stands
for much else besides sound money
Though that is now the issue which
overshadows all others, and give IN to
the free-silver or Populist wing Of the
party and thus insure its defeat and Its
disgrace and retirement from all chance
OF government for an indefinite time.
1t is not to be supposed that all the
sound-money Democrats. SUCH Tor exam
pie. as Cleveland, Carlisle Herbert Chiet
Justice Fuller Gray, Russell. Bayard
and host Of others. are going to leave
the Democratic party, or under any
circumstances vote the Republican ticket.
even though a free-silver Democrat Is
nominated at Chicago. These men will
probably generally vote the Democratic
ticket. or. at the very most. they will
not vote at all. They viii not. however
advocate or exert themselves TO secure
the election Of a free-silverite. They
VIII see that they have failed 10 keen
their party on true lines. ana tnev
VIII 20 down with it. but they Will not
otherwise help the wild men who Will
be In charge TO drive the Democratic shin
higher and more disastrously on the
rocks.
we learn that it has been inferred hv
some that In the event Of the non,ioo.
ton of a free-silverte the emorgencies n,
the canvass Will cause The positton ot
this paper 10 be changed on the fre.-
silver question. This is a great mistake
1t is Impossible for The Times to preach
any other doctrine than the doctrine o.
sound money-the souudest kind OF money
In order to change its position. The Times
would necessarily have 10 take bac,
what cannot be taken back. for what il
has contended for is the everlasting
truth.
individuals may oblgate themselves.
under special circumstances. TO stanu
with and take the consequences of the
acts OF their associates, however much
such acts may be against their own Iudg-
ment, but a newspaper is or should he
preacher Of righteousness. and princi-
pies Of righteousness remain the same.
If sound-money Democrat is nomi-
mated. We doubt not Senator Daniel will
vote for him. unless 1t be Mr.. Cleveland.
for Senator Daniel has avowed that under
no circumstances will he vote for him
but no one would expect Senator Danie,
10 recant his free-silver ideas or saw
that he believed that the sound-money
doctrine was best for the country. Will
abhorrlng and relentlessly opposiny nov,
and at all times the whole free-sllver
idea. The Times will stick TO Democrocv
10 the bitter end. A free-silyer nominee
Will be foreordained 10 defeat ana Wa
could not argue his cause. but we do
not believe that any such nominee vii,
be presented TO the party. A two-tbirds
vote is required. ana there arc at least
one-third sound-money Democrats. who
will never vote TO nominate frce-sliyer
man for President.
NO sound-money Democrr should fail 10
stand by his colors and fight in the
coming primary for the preservation OF
the party from tho free-silver curse.
To stay out Is 10 give up the fight.
Don't desert In the face OF the enemy.