New-York tribune., 1896-05-26
THE POSSIBILITIES.

The prospect of bolt from each Of the Presi-
dental conventions appears to "The New-lork
Herald" so great that 1t proceeds at once 10
estimate the probable results by states IL
reckons that the Western and Southern fusion
Of silver men would carry only 1lS electoral
votes. against 210 Republican, 80 Democratic
and "a doubtful, if both parties should declare
for sound money; but II the free-silver comDlna-
ton should carry the Democratic Convention. 1t
reckons that the Republicans would secure 2'i6
electoral votes, but must carry all the doubtfu
States" in order to win.
These calculations seem little in error They
appear TO overlook the fact that honest-money
men of both parties would assuredly get together
In every close State If there were possibility or
free silver success. The forecast may dismiss
entirely the possibility of any 'straddle' or hesi
tating utterance at st. Louis. There will be
nothing of the sort. Probably the possibility OF
q sound money declaration by the Democratic
Convention may also be dismissed, but II makes
little difference because the free silver men evil
dently intend to have party of their own this
year. and mean to bolt from both conventions
in order to get it: and. although their secession
from the Republican Convention will not be or
imposing dimensions. ii Is positively foreshad-
owed by Senator Tellers recent declaration and
by the action of conventions in Idaho, Montana
and Utah Let ii be assumed. then. that the
silver men capture the Democratic Convention.
drive out the advocates Of sound money, absorb
the Populists and frec-Sver boilers from the
Republican party, and with all the prestige OF
regular Democracy make fight for success
This seems to be the only contingency worth
seriously weighing. In that event what would
the sound money Democrats of New-iork, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland. West Virginia,
Indiana Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and
California do in the Presidential contest? Is it
to be supposed that they would deliberately
help the free-silver men to victoryI
Apparently The Herald supposes they
would since il reckons the votes Of such States
either doubtful or Democratic; but there is
ground for much more Credlrable opinion OF
these voters Doubtless many of their leaders,
being prominent politicians who do not want 10
be absorbed or deprived Of local influence would
struggle for Independent tickets Of their own.
But the only question Of Importance is whether
the sound money voters would consent TO give
the free silver men chance of success by sup
porting such tickets. The belief Of the Repub-
licans Is that even President Cleveland himself,
if a candidate of sound-money Democrats under
such conditions. could not carry single elcc-
tOral vote from the States above mentioned be-
cause men who are not sound on the money
question would fight against him. while those
who sincerely want the money question settled.
and settled right. would take care not 10 give
the silver men possibility Of success by defeat
ing Republican candidates.
There is something else to be remembered. In
all the Northern and border States and in the
States of the Pacific coast the desire Of the peo
pie for restoration Of Protective duties IL so
strong and imperative that probably no COM
bnation whatever can defeat ii. The whole
force Of this popular demand will be on the
side Of sound money, and against any risk OF
| free-silver success 1t Is not 10 be forgotten
that the States above named have been carried
nearly all by large and decisive majorities,
| against the Democratic party and its National
| Administration and although the results In a
Presidential year might be different II the Dem
ocratlc party were united. and could hope to
succeed with a sound-mOney ticket it does not
appear in the least probable that the working
men and manufacturers who demand PrOtec
tion, and the business men who want sound
money. will both lend themselves TO promote the
success Of FreeTrade and frecsilyer COM
bnntion this year.