The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-25
WANTS POWER, NOT SILVER.

The free silver Republicans will
hardly accept a mere promise on the
part of the Chicago convention. The
vaccillating course of the Democracy
is such that no well informed man can
believe but that any free silver declar-
alton that may be made by the ma
tionaI Democratic convention will be
for the sole purpose of catching votes
in the west, aad without sincerity. This
is a new doctrine of party faith with
the Democracy. In '76 and 80 the
Democracy was silent on the great
question of free coinage. In "a and
$50 the Democracy was for sound
money. In no national platform has
the Democracy declared for the free,
unlimited. independent coinage of sill
yer at the ratio of is to 1. Under the
Cleveland administration QSS5-9) there
was coined the minimum amount or
silver required by the Bland-Allison
law of '7S-$2O00.000 per month
while the law provided that twice that
amount might he coined. In vain will
the free silverites look for consolation
and hope in the past record of the Dem
ocratic party. 1t cannot be urged that
the Democracy has not had the oppor-
tunity to aid the cause of free coinage.
1t has in the last twelve years been
many times in control of all branches
Of the government Had the Dem
ocracy been for free silver as matter
Of party policy it could have enacted
such legislation. The truth is the
Democracy has not been for free silver,
and should the Chicago convention in
dorse this policy it will be a new one.
If conclusions were drawn from the
past declarations and practice of the
party they would be to the effect that
this party is opposed to the policy of
unlimited free coinage. How is it that
now we are confronted with this
change of party policy? Has the Dem
Ccracy really changed upon this sub
ject? Isn't it rather the vain hope of
getting into power that brings this
promise of a change Of policy: Has
the Democracy been so dull and blind
all these wears on this coinage queS-
ton? DiSpassionately, malice aside,
doesn't it rather seem that this new
move is bit of demagogy for the pur-
pose of vote-getting and for no other
reason? II viii require q superabund-
ance of charity 10 forget all the short
cominSS of the Democracy, all lis omis-
sionS toward the restoration of silver,
and 10 believe that any promise made
by the Chicago convention VIII be made
in good faith and with the intention
that it is 70 be carried into effect.
If what the Democracy now SAYS IS
true the restoration of silver is the
paramount issue; but viii II so emuha-
size it in its national convention? VIII
il accept the tariff as for the time set
tied and declare the money iSSue-the
free coinage iSSue-the issue Of issues?
VIII it nominate men whose record
viii be a platform for free coinage Of
silver? No. 1t viii kiss Teller on one
cheek and Smite him on the other. II
Will bid for the free silver Republican
vote with a promise: il Will condemn
every other political tenet held by Re
publicanS till the support Of this BoJIr
han Democracy by Republicans viii be
an act Ct humiliation. The old-time
BourIoniStic south VIII dominate the
Democracy. For the promise of free
silver the west must sacrifice every
thing else. The policy OF protection
must give way II free trade This
southern policy-Southern dominance
viii be IS hateful on all questions. eX-
cept that OF silver. As eastern domino
tiun and worse.
The Democrats do not mean. ser
lousy 10 attempt 10 restore silver as
! standard money. II is a new game %