The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-07
AS TO MIR. Teller.

forward in connection with the noml-
nation for the Presidency.
Free silver Democracy has all the
while been so consumed with the et-,
fort that has wrought out the present
victory, that the name of every man
who has proved himself to be tried
friend of silver has been received in
friendly fashion.
So Jealous and sincere have been the
silver forces, that few have stopped
to ask whether one were Republl-
can or Democrat. The vital question
has been always sis he a genuine con-
vert or believer, or apostle?" as the
case might be.
Teller has. as far as silver was con-
cerned, more than measured up to the
full limit of all that was required,
either, by Populist, silver Republican
or silver Democrat.
Thus his name has been allowed to
be used as a possibility, SO far with
out much criticism, certainly, at least,
with If1enuiy CTIIIClSu.
All this has happened during the
ordering of the forces that have, as
above stated, apparently focused to-
ward climactic result.
But now that, in cooler mood, the
realization comes to the surface that
the silver movement is voiced by a
Democratic convention, it is reasonably
asked one of the other, were it wise
to 90 outside of the organization to
get representative of that organiza-
ton?
Whether or not the argument fit the
present instance, it has nevertheless
been many times suggested specially
among Southern Democrats that the
nomination of Teller by the Demo
Gratis would be another Greedy VEN
ture. Many have rested content with
this criticism. without going further
to inquire into the perfect analogy be-
tween the two men and the two situa-
tions respectively represented by them.
Doubtless were a critical analysis made
of the claims to Democratic approval
underlying Greedy and Teller respec-
lively, the advantage would be in Tel
ler's favor. But that is too long
story.
The question would even then further
present itself as to whether the great
Democratic party should select as it's
standard bearer one who has but just
donned the neutrality-suspicious. of De-
mocracy. Moreover, the question then
comes, even with Mr.. Teller's agree
ment with the Democratic majority
upon the silver question would not
his Republican views on the tariff
stamp him from the beginning as
hereto. There be some who say in reply
to this that Mr.. Teller has publicly
high as that advocated by Mckinley,
and then the further reply comes that
after all there is not enough difference
between the Democratic tariff and the
Mckinley tariff to prevent Teller's
adopting the former,one leyying AZ per
cent duty and the other As per cent,
though on different principles.
Thus the expediency school of poll
ticians would find Teller all-satisfy-
ing against the so-called harmoniz1ng
needs of the times that seem so out
of joint. And they would find him
thus satisfying chiefly for this reason:
that it is claimed that he will CONSOLE
date the silver Democrats, the silver
Republicans and the Populists. Teller
would, as the Democratic nominee.
undoubtedly be the active leader of
the silver Republicans, being, however,
only passively received by the Popu-
lists and Democrats.
Now, the question turns itself about
in this phase. May it not be wiser,
and of a courage that awakens en-
thusiasm, for the Democrats to put
up a Democrat to fit the time, and have
Teller to exercise the power that is
his to secure the cooperation of both
Populists and silver Republicans, and
success, than for the party to endanger
its integrity by nerveless genufiec-
ton to man, who, after all, repre-
rens but one aim of the Democratic
party?
Such thoughts have, without doubt,
been drifting through the minds
of Democrats these last few days, in
way to have much diminished any
chances Mr.. Teller may have had for
| the nomination.
Not having been taken in perfect
seriousness hitherto, he is being taken
with perfect seriousness now.
And in the line of such seriousness,
the chief thought is the pride and
integrity of the Democratic party. For