The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-03-07
THE CRISIS.

At the present moment all the signs
point to a crisis in the history of the
Republican party OF Idaho. Two prop
ositions, neither inviting, are presented
and the time Is rapidly approaching
when one or the other must be accept
ed and acted upon. Republicans must
determine to acquiesce in the conclu-
sIons OF the national convention, and
maintain their identity with the ma
tional organization at the risk of local
defeat, or they must determine to re-
iect the conclusions of the national con-
Vention, il unfavOrable to silver, in the
hope of temporary, irregular victory
and with the prospect Of ultimate dis.
Indignation. 1t is almost certain that
If the Idaho delegates walk out Of the
National Republican Convention, the
Republican party in Idaho will walk
out OF existence. When the state con-
vention meets there will be no tie by
which the delegates can be held to-.
gether and there will probably be bolt
ing without end, and who can say a
word against boiling among party of
boilers? When the election comes
on there will be no vital principle at is
sue. Each state platform will declare
emphatically and uncompromisingly
for silver, and, unless we greatly over.
estimate political shrewdness, no party
will strenOusly oppose protection; the
Democrats will pronounce for protec.
ton that protects; the Populists, If
they refrain from fusion, will ia,
vor protection OF anything else
coupled with free silver, and the
Republicans will be reduced to the
humiliating condition Of saying tine
too" On the other hand, should the
delegates acquiesce in the conclusions
OF the National Republican convention
and should these conclusions be unfay-
orable to free silver, the party in this
state must go before the people on pro-
lection and Democratic incompetency.
We predict that the monetary plank in
the national convention will amount to
declaration for bimetallism on an in
ternational basis There may possibly
be some concession along the line of
silver purchase, or an insistence that
the United States make payments in
gold or silver as may be most conyen.
lent. But there will be no language in
the platform that can be twisted into
declaration for the free and unlimited
coinage of silver independent of all
other countries Besides all this, it is
perfectlylclear that no combination can
possibly be made which will give silver
aghost.O of a show in the national cleo
tion. The split that silver Republican
can make will not amount to a hill of
beans; and II there should be a split in
the Democratic party, which is doubt.
full, 1t simply means that the sound
money faction will go over In body to
the sound money Republicans. That
Will leave the silver people in q hope
less minority. We are all inclined to |
glory in the spirit that inspired Sena
tors Dubois, Teller, Carter aud Mantle
to make such heroic fight on behalf |
or western interests and the great |
principle Of bimetallism, and IL our
united prayers could avail, theirs would
be victory worthy the effort; but it is
not ut all clear that they have in the least
succeeded in advancing the cause of
silver. On the other hand, their atti.
tAde is pregnant with danger to west
ern Republicanism. Already signs of
elaboration are beginning to appear
Old line Republicans that religiously
believe that all political good must
now from the Republican party; that It
alone Is competent and willing TO set.
tlEe all questions, look upon the pros.
psets, Of severatiOn with profound sor-
70" ana rapidly increasing hostility.
The wool growers are inclined to re-
gard it as an unnecessary and unpro6t.
able sacrifice Of their interests, and
their murmurlngs are growing daily
more audible. All devOut partIsans
experience a feeling of restiveness and
apprehension as they commence 10 ,
'ealize that even the name of Republi. |
,anism must be dropped from their DO. ,
ltlcal faith as a thing to be Stunned I
md despised. OF course, to the philo. !
iophieal student of political history I
who has followed the ups and downs II
births and deaths, convergences and !
neanderings of political parties, there :
nothing serious in the prospect. Tbe I
temporary disruption or utter annibila. .
ion Of a political party is to him but a $
Natural. dieting eYeAt-ths rnIssavent- :
'resOf the moment, the destruction of Z
n atom. He pins his faith and hoDe =
0 fundamental. immutable principlea n
nd contemplates the Incidents snr. +
onnding their progress with profound a
tranquility. Whether in the approach. H
lg crisis the Republican party OF n
aaho be defeated or victorious, Crys. \