The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-16
WHY WE CANNOT AGREE.

We publish this morning two c21n-
fnunications, one of considerable
length, advocating the Chicago plat
form and nominees, and urging all
Democrats to stand together in their
support. 1t is, perhaps, unnecessary
for the G o b to state that represent
atives Of both sides of this issue will re-
ceive fair and equal treatment at our
hands, and that every statement in the
interest Of either that is writer. in
good faith and good temper will find
space waiting for it in our columns.
The Interest in the question precipi-
tated by the rise of the silver issue to
such prominence is almost unprece-
denied. Discussion Of the advantages
and dangers of free coinage will be
continuous from now until the election
in November. The G / o b e invites, on
the part of its readers, the fullest ex-
preston of their views Through 1t
the arguments for and against the
proposition which has now absorbed all
other political issues will be presented
faithfully ard impartially day by day.
Replying to some of the comments
and criticisms made by our correspon-
dents this morning, there are always
TWO or three facts to be borne in mind
The first OF these is that the advocates
or free silver estopped themselves
months ago from claiming that major
1ty rule must be obeyed Almost every
free silverite Of prominence in either
party. including, if we mistake lot.
MT Bryan himself, declared publicly
that free coinage so far transcribed
all other issues that they would not be
bound by the decision of the national
convention, If this should happen to go
against them. Mr. Teller was no more
outspoken in this respect than were
Mr.. Tillman and his associates on the
other side; and, just as the boiling ele
ment in the Republican party did ac-
tually walk out Of the st. Louis conven-
uon' so we know. on their own state
ment, that the free silver delegates TO
Chicago would have walked out of that
convention and supported other candi-
dates If they had been a minority. in
stead of majority. This being not a
mere assumption on our part, but a
conclusion drawn from their own
words. it is not for them Low to claim
that the majority must rule. They
cannot make for their opponents a law
which they long ago repudiated as
binding upon themselves
AS to the other matters involved #
is true that you can read into or ont
or almost every political platform ever
adopted by any party very much what
meaning you please. The platforms of
both parties in 1892 were inter.tionallv
misleading and double-faced, as far AZ
the currency question was concerned
They We're both framed with a view of
capturing the cheap money. as well as
the good money vote, but there is prac-
ticaLy no Inference of opinion as fo
what was really meant ard intended
Neither Democrats nor Republicans in
1892, intended to go back to tbe fraa
coinage of silver at the ratio of 1s tn
1, nor did the country so understand
their declarations. We are not insen-
sible, no Democrat car be insensible 70
the plea for union and harmony of ac-
ton in the party this year. It Is with
sad and heavy heart that any Demo-
crat finds himself obliged to give q
negative answer. The necessity for If
arises from the triumph of extreme
Populistic principles at Chicago. Had
reasonable and moderate posi-
ton, such as bimetallists could ac-
cept, been taken, they would
have been only too glad to do so. But
just as We understand and admit that
large number Of the free silver peo-
pie are earnest ard sincere, and be-
lieve that they have found panacea
for our ills, so must they extend to
Others the same credit, and understand
that those who cannot stand with them
are az firmly convinced that free silver