The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-28
A Word of Caution.

While there can no longer pe any rea-
sonable doubt that the feeling which
will animate the great majority Oh
delegates to the st. Louis convention
will be firmly hostile to the idea of
taking doubtful risks in relation to sill
Yer coinage. 1t need not and. for con-
sistencys sake, should not follow that
that convention must commit the party
unreservedly to the gold standard. The
fact deserves to be recognized that
hitherto the Republican party, in ma
tlonal platforms and through leading
orators, has espoused. Endorsed and
pledged it's cooperation to bimetall-
ism. At this minute probably ma
1ority, but certainly a considerable mi
nority Of its membership favors the
double in preference to the single
standard, conditional upon its estab-
lishment by concert of the chief ma
tions.
Senator Hoar recently said in the
senate that every Republican in New
England was in favor Of international
b
conventions in Maine, Massachusetts,,
New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland.
Illinois and Indiana took action which
indicated a desire for the rehabilita-
ton of silver to complete parity with
gold by International concurrence.
Judging, therefore, from these recent
expressions, Is 1t not reasonable to sup
pose that a plank at St. Louis declar-
ing for the existing standard but
pledging the party's active endeavors
in behalf of an international restora-
tion Of bimetallism would be more con-
sistent with past declarations and
more prudent as a matter Of present
policy than dogmatic inflexible pro-
nouncement for gold now and finally?
Says Senator Carter one of the fore
most of the so-called silverites, yet
man esteemed sufficiently four years
ago to be made national chairman of
his party: 'This is not all the silver
Republicans would like. They believe
in free coinage. But they also believe
in the Republican party, and do not
want to be driven out of it. Such
platform would hold many Of them in
the ranks. 1t would contain promise
for the future. 1t would give Republi-
cans who believe in protection chance
to 90 home and tell their people the
party was not an enemy Of silver. that
policy had been adopted which might
lead to great Results In the future, that
most Republicans agreed silver must
some day be rehabilitated, that the
only differences of opinion were as to
the method by which it was to be done,
and that the silver men must exercise
patience and wait for the coming Of
conditions favorable to their cause"
We recognize the temptation under
which the st. Louis convention will
rest to bid for the applause Of gold
standard extremists by a plank snap
ping In moment the long association
with the party of the thousands of
thoughtful men. not simply in the west
but all over the country. who. taking
their cue from irreproachable Republi-
can instruction, believe. without tinge
Of selfish interest, that the only perma-
nent solution Of the periodical financial
convulsions Of the past quarter-cen-
tury Is to be found in u return, sooner
or later. to the bimetallic standard.
But before this tempta tion is permit
ted to carry It's point, let the delegates
reflect that, however bright may seem
the prospect of Republican success in
1886. there will be future elections when
the lesson Of Democratic mlsmanage-
ment will not be SO potent contribu-
tor to Republican majorities, and when
It will be necessary to husband party
strength and guard against the need
less sacrifice Of party unity and en-
thusiasm.