The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-21
STEVENSON is ALL RIGHT
But Principles are Put FORE
most.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT 1T
Not All the Federal Offlce-HoIders
are Gold Bugs Some OF
Them are ''Honest
Money Men.
Money Men.

Darently lasting. gloom upon VIC 'o0Ai'
ocratic opponents of free silver here N
the National capital. Two months ago
there was a disposition to make light
of the cIaiinsof the silgermel that they
would write the platform and nominate
A silver candidate at the approaching
National convention of the Democratic
party. This has wholly disappeared as
the primaries are being held, and coun-
try and city alike are registering their
adherence to the cause of the white
metal. 1t is now not only probable, but
almost certain that the advocates OF
the free coinage of silver will have a
good working majority in the National
convention, and that they will extend
an invitation to all who believe i'll
bi-metallism that opens the minis to
gold and silver upon equal terms" and
without discrimination" to join in
fight for restoring the coinage laws as
they existed before they were Sher-
nanized.
Ihave taken occasion in stay of two
or three days to talk to the leaders OF
the silver movement in the Democratic
PARTY, and to learn the drift of public
sentiment as it reaches the Democratic
silver committee, and prominent silver
Democrats. / have learned the silver
sentiment in the Populist and Republi-
can parties at second hand. | regard
the attitude of the members Of these
two parties as Significant only n
view of the probable action of the Dem
ocratfc convention The Republican
party will declare for gold, either di-
rectly or indirectly. There are many
silver men in The West who viii Dol:
such a declaration, and their bolt viii
enable the Populists to carry the West
if the Democratic party should strad-
die or declare for gold. But it would
not affect the result. The only hope
for silver lies in declaration in It's
favor by one of the two old parties. As
the Republican party was the instru-
ment that demonetized silver and put
the country ON gold basis, it cannot
denounce and reputi ate its own child.
Besides, it is dominated now as it and
it's Federalist predecessor was, by the
moneyed institutions, and knows no
will that is not theirs. The Democratic
party had no part or lot inthe demone-
tization. and the records of Congress
show that ia almost ever Congress I
large majoriy of the Democrats have
sought to restore silver to its constitu-
4ionaI place. Never till this admins
tration endorsed the Republican finan.
cd policy has anyhCdg supposed rat
the Democratic party was not SILVER
marty. 1t will declare its attitude in no
ambiguous terms at Chicago, and it will
be SO true to the cause of silver that
all sincere advocates Of the white metal
will support its nominees.
IT IS the opinion of all well posted
politicians here that the silver men
have already won the fight and viii
control the National Democratic con-
vention. Senators Harris, Of Tennessee,
and Jones, of Arkansas, who are az tho
head OF the silver movement feel Ger
tain that the next nominee will be a
silver man on silver PLATFORM Jhls
oninion is shl "a by most of tie gold
men who read newspapers which give
both sides. [ have talked with a NUM-
her Of anti-silyer men, and, with a soli-
TRY except IN. they admitted that the
silver men would control the National
convention. One % them who holds an
important Federal position, said to me:
ssWe had as well interpret the hand
writing on the wall. The people are
for silver and they are going to nomi-
matte a silver candidate for President.
I fear it means the defeat Of the party,
but / believe in bowling to the will OF
the majority when fairly ascertained,
and shall get ready to give the ticket
my support" Another prominent office
holder, who holds a commission from
the President, said to me: 81 have been
studying the money question of late,
reading all the speeches that have been
made, and / am fully convinced that
the position of the silver men is correct.
The only hope of the Democratic party
is to 90 before the country on free
silver platform, and show to the plain
people that the Democatic party is still
their friend. This expression by an
influential man shows that all the
ofIiceholders are not for gold
There Is q considerable number OF mef
in Office here who are silver men, and
though they feel it duty to their off
cial superiors not TO make pubic
speeches in favor of the white metal
their quiet influence is exerted for the
old silver dollar. had casual chat
with Southern man mot North Car
oinian) in one of the departments wat
said that it was CALLING to him TO fee
that the bread of his family made i
necessary for him to repress his conyic
tons, and no one at heart rejoiced il
the growing popularity of silver more
than he. As a matter OF fact, this maI
might, with perfect propriety and with
out endangering his tenure, give expires
son % his views. His own sense of pro
urietg would, Of course, forbid any of
fensiye illusions to those who gave hin
position.
AZ result of interviews with lead