The Indianapolis journal., 1896-06-26
WILL. LEAVE THE PARTY
DEMOCRATIC BUSINESS MEN CAN'T
SWALLOW FREE SILVER.
John r. McGettfgan TerseIy States
Sound-Money Democrats.

The effects of the adoption of the free
silver plank by the Democratic convention
yesterday are rapidly becoming evident.
The money question is being talked by
nearly every one and the action of the con-
vention has intensified the discussions and
caused many who were loath to believe
such action would be taken to frankly de-
nounce IT. Among most Democrats who re-
gard free silver calamity there Is
slight spark of hope that the national con-
vention will be able to repudiate that ele-
ment and declare for sound money. The
hope is. however not built on confidence.
The sound-money men were much inter-
ested in the fight of Mr. Bynum in The
convention and many of them believe he
meant what he said when he declared that
he would never turn his back on the ad-
ministration of Grover Cleveland. 1t is
their sentiment. and, while brought about
by the disposition OF the money question
alone. makes their affiliation with the party
impossible
The position of many of the sound-money
Democrats was well put by John E. Nc
Gettigan. receiver of the Premier steel
works. yesterday. Mr.. McGettigan is an
uncompromisng advocate of the gold stand
ard. He was asked yesterday what the ef-
feet of the adoption of the silver platform
would have on the party in this State.
''That is very broad question" he said.
THE Democrats expect to receive the as
sistance of the disgruntled Republicans of
the rural classes in their advocacy of free
silver. I fear that this support will be
larger than supposed, but If it should be
large enough to make the ticket win 1T
would not be a Democratic victory. In
don't
Gratis have stultified themselves and given
the lie to their history for the last fifty
years Free silver Is undemocratic and in
the present campaign We VIII have to ad-
init that We were fools in 1892 but are wise
men now. rather believe that we Were
wise in 1892 and are the veriest fools now.
Individually, / am frank in saying that
l VIII never vote for free silver. My con-
days.. They are fixed and regard nothing
so calamitous as opening the mints to the
free coinage of silver. The business men of
the Democratic party. In my opinion, are
alive to the situation and will throw party
sentiment aside. Seventy-five per cent. of
them-men who will vote from patriotic
and sound business motives-will support
sound money and the platform that advo-
Gates 1t. The vital Importance of this ques-
tion and the peril attending a mistake will
keep Democratic business men from being
foolish for party's sake
Many other prominent Democrats have
declared themselves in the same language.
John w. Murphy has been quoted as Say
ing that ne would not vote the Democratic
ticket If free silver were indorsed. Mr..
Murphy was asked yesterday what his at
titude would be.
'I am against free silver" he replied
will your convictions take you out of
the Democratic party?'
''I cannot say as TO that iist yet"
Michael OConnor. wholesale grocer, is
one Of the most aggressive advocates Of
an active interest in party affairs until
this campaign, when he gave his assistance
to the gold men. Mr.. O'Connor was asked
yesterday for an expression as to the ef-
feet of the platform:
Now" said Mr.. O'Connor, "you and
will go fishing some day and talk that
.Will the free-silver platform slienate
many from the Democratic party?"
81 believe that It VIII, unauesti,pna1bly ?, 19,.y
cago in a short time. Upon the action of
that convention the attitude of the sound
money men largely depends
Medford b. Wilson, president of the Cap
itol National Bank. was asked how a na-
tional free-silver platform would he re-
party. II believe that a majority of them
would remain away from the polls. do
not believe there will be any party split
Chicago convention Indivilually l am
against free silver TO such an extent that
I would never consent 10 vote for il. If
the Democrats adopt a free-silver plank i
shall stay away from the POLLS.
The intolerance of the free-si,ver ''pusn'
In the convention aud the treatment of the
distinguished members of the rarty who
disagreed with such lights as Charles
Cooper. Tim Griffin, Romeo Stuart and the
rest of the push" has Dot been forgotten
by the gold men, They iee1 that they are
outside the party pale unless zhey can ex-
ercise flexible -conscirnces and accept the
free-silver slogan. This they are no. re-
signed to. The only thing they do not Ike
is to be regarded as boilers" Bat they
argue. IL silver had Deem defeated in. the
convention there woul1 have undouhte,ly ly
inn saysH i~lra
i'm the field. Some advocate a sour.l-naney
ticket while others behave rhe indi florence
of the gold men will be enough 10 de<eat
Irishman at the waxe-ni.ting every read
they see. Many Of them have declared they
will not vote at all