The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-23
RIVER AT s A. NJ.
CONCERNING MEDICATION.

We like the pleasing frankneSS with
which Mr.. Thomas C. Hodgson, whose
letter appears in another column,
prefaces his communication with
the statement that he has read
the Clio b es editorials for a con-
siderable space of time and has rarely
found one that meets his approval We
doubt not that Mr.. Hodgsons approval
will be won eventually, however reluc-
family if he reads his Globe with
ardOr and care. In the meanwhile,
nothing can probably do more to pro-
mote that desired event than to have
him realize his desire to ask the ed
itor some questions and to have them
answered.
The position which he takes in his
letter is one so commonly met with
among the men who supported Mr..
Bryan that it is quite worthy of COM
ment. They say, in general, as Mr..
Hodgson says, that the Democratic
party, year before the Chicago con-
Vention, was distracted and disunited,
and without hope of success. It was
generally agreed that the Republican
candidate whoever he might be. would
nave WalkaWay Mr.. Bryan, they
add, inspired it with enthusiasm and
hope, and within a few weeks after
his nomination the Republicans were
working with all the energy of despair
to prevent his election. Such a reani-
nation, they declare and such a re-
suit as the support Of this candidate
and his policy by some 5000, 900 or more
voters, is not failure; and, on the
other hand, they declare that the vote
cast for Palmer and Buckner was not
q VindicatiOn of the National Demo-
crat movement. 81 venture to ask
says Mr.. Hodgson, eff those people
were indicated, by what sort of pbi-
losophy does the Globe prove that
the silver Democrats were not vindi
cated?"
Now, this is a fair and reasonable
question, which we are exceedingly
glad to have put to us. There are
two kinds of vindication The one is
q
majority Of the people before whom
the issue is placed; the other by secur
ing the assent Of those best qualified
to judge about the righteousness of
the position assumed, and by the as
surance that the doctrines affirmed will
ultimately prevail. The former sort
OF Vindication is most sought after
The latter is most to be desired. In
both respects, it seems to us that the
administration of Mr.. Cleveland and
5 the anti-free-coinage Democrats have
been most Overwhelmingly indicated
Certainly the policy which thew SUD-
ported has prevailed, and to all ap-
pearances is destined to prevail. This
whole campaign turned, to our regret,
upon the money issue. Since that had
TO be settled, however, it certainly was
settled in the way that the Indianapolis
convention would have it, Broad and
crude as such settlements usually are,
this touched only the main question.
shall we or shall we not have free
coinage of silver at the ratio of Is to
i? We certainly are not going to have
free coinage at that ratio, and, as far
as we can see, the position taken by
the gold standard Democrats has been
indicated; since their policy will pre-
vail in the future conduct of this gov
eminent.
Now, as to the matter Of vindication
by majorities, it is certainly true that
when Mr.. Bryan and Marion Butler
took charge of old-time Democracy,
they found It party expecting de-
feat. The reason for this situation has
beer fully explained in these columns.
The party was torn with internal feuds
The rupture between the friends and
the enemies OF Mr.. CIeveland's adj
nainistration had become so pronounced
that Democrats were pretty well con-
WINGED that q candidate attached to
Nther wing would have g rather luke