The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-04
Proere.. of the Dehate.

Mr. smith and Mr.. Crisp have had two
meetings. and as Tar as we have been able
70 judge the impression they have made
is that Mr.. Smith is much the ADLER de-
batter is better equipped for the discus
sion. and makes the more logical and con-
vincing speech. while Mr.. Crisp is the
more attractive talker and takes better
with the audience. Mr. Smith talks like
man who is very much in earnest and
believes what he says. Mt. Crisp appears
10 be trying TO win the favor OF the crowd.
One who listens to him or reads what he
says gets the idea that ne has point 10
gain and that his chief purpose is TO gain
IT, He would rather make his hearers
laugh by a story or a joke at the expense
OF his opponent or excite applause by an
sdroit argument which pleases. but does
not convince. his listeners than to rely
upon facts and sound reasoning to make
converts to his views
If this view OF the debaters is correct the
better results of the joint discussion will
be achieved by Mr.. Smith. though it is not
improbable that most Of those who attend
the meetings will have the idea at first
that Mr. Crisp has the most reason to he
satisfied
What Mr.. Crisp says is likely to make
only a temporary impression-an impress
sion which will pass away before the pres
idential campaign has fairly begun, while
what Mr.. Smith says will provoke thought
and make converts. The thinking men,
the men who dominate their respective
communities, are ones who are impressed
by what Mr.. Smith says. He is, therefore.
establishing sources of sound money sem
timent which will exert a powerful in
fluence as the campaign advances. The
effect of his work will not become at once
apparent, but 1t will snow Itself in the
steady strengthening of the sound money
sentiment
We do not mean to say that Mr.. Smith
is better informed on the silver question
than Mr.. Crisp is, but it does seem as
If Mr.. Crisp uses only such of his infor-
nation as appears to uphold the side of
the silver question he is ON. In other
words, his manner and his speeches give
the impression that he is seeking to gain
an object. rather than enlighten the peo-
pie
For instance. why did Mr.. Crisp, in his
Atlanta speech devote so much of his
time to the letter written by Mr.. Smith
in 1890 favoring free silver coinage? What
Mr. Smith believed six years ago in re-
spect TO silver doesn't throw any light
on the silver question. Mr.. Smith says
he has studied the question and changed
his mind. II might be interesting to know
where Mr. Crisp stood in respect to sill
yer so late as four years ago. Was he for
sound money or free silver coinage? In
1892 the national democratic platform and
the state democratic platform called for
sound money. Only the populist platform
| declared for free silver coinage at the ratio
OF Is to /. AS Mr.. Crisp made no protest
against either the national or state plat
form the inference is that he favored
sound money. Now he is for the 16 to 1
doctrine-which is the doctrine of the pop
ulists. Has he changed? If so, and if ex-
plantations are in order, why doesn't he
explain why it is that he is now advocating
the IS to / declaration Of the populists.