New-York tribune., 1896-10-18

quieting as Boy Orator Bryans. II the unor-
ganized and furtive bolt from Hardins canGl, cano
dacy last fall could carry from I.WO to o,ooo
Sound Mohey Democrats into the Republican
camp. the managers here have every justiIca,
tion In believing that the open, organized ana
disciplined revolt within the Democratic ranks
will draw from 10000 to 5000 votes from the
Bryan Blackburn Hardin electoral ticket.
With practically all the elements in the party
which In the past have given II distinction.
character and influence arrayed against the Chi
cago nominees, II is hard 10 see how the anu
Bryan forces can fall to muster a strength OF
10000. The Republican campaign managers
will be satisfied II the Palmer Buckner Sound
Money ticket succeeds In polling 1o.OU0 votes.
OF these votes perhaps 5000 are expected to
he cast by Democrats who last year supported
Bradley for the Governorshp. But, on the other
hand direct gain Of nearly 10000 Democratic
votes for the Mckinley ticket Is safely an,ic'-
pated. The apparent fusion plurality III the
State year ago was 7999 Eight thousand
Of the % 900 anti-Bryan votes were cast last
fall for Bradley, that the real deduction from
the Democratic strength Is put at 1I.0O0-Whch
would convert the fusion excess of S,Oon into
fusion deficit Of about 1000. The estimated
net gain of perhaps 1000 Democratic votes 70
the Mckinley ticket over Bradley's total of 1880
would raise tie Republican plurality in the
State to something like $4,000.
EMBARRASSMENTs OF THE SILVER CAN
VAsS.
The Democratic managers are making
travagant claims OF plurality for Bryan rang
Ing from 10000 to 10000 They have made no
systematic poll OF the State. and their whole
canvass is one of oratory and bluster Prac
ticay all the Democratic politicians Of skill
and training In campaign management have
gone over to the Palmer Buckner party, and
the free-coinase machine has fallen into the
hands Of a rather raw lot Of political Journey
men. Senator J. c. S. Blackburn takes time
occasionally from his work on the stump TO
pose as political "organizer'' at the silver
headquarters. Hardin has been out of the State
the greater part CT September and October, and
the burdens OF campaign strategy seem 10 have
fallen chiefly on such men allie James
and Jack" Chinn. the ex-racetrack starter and
barytone singer
The Democratic leaders have neither financial
resources nor an effective stumpng force Their
sole weapon in the present campaign has been
a demaSogic appeal to the prejudice or the
country against the city, of the poorer classes
against the richer. Tie single straw at which
they grasp for success Is the undoubted merger
of the Popuiist vote for the time being in the
Democratic. Fusion between the wings Of the
Bryan party is undoubtedly complete. But the
silver leaders have failed to count the cost 81
this unstable ara demoralizng alliance. For
the price OF Populst support in the present
campaign has been the estrangement from the
Democratic organization Of body OF voters
Infinitely more desirabie-s'ronger humericaHy
and of incalcuably greater Importance as a
factor In Kentucky life. Purged definitely or
this controlling ard representative element. the
Democratic party. defeated this year. can
scarcely hope to regain It's character and pres
tige within a generation. 1t Will have doomed
itself to hopeless opposition in State whose
instincts attach il inevitably to the side OF pub
lie Intelligence political morality and National
honor. 1t VIII have sacrificed 10 dscreditan!e
alliance for momenary PARTISAN advantage the
support of n body of voters whose alienation
must be considered dear al even three times
the reinforcement. OF unmanaseable political
nondescr.pts drafted. through fusion with the
Populists into the ranks Of the Blackburn har-
din Democracy.