Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-08
What the Republican Leaders Say
About Its Force.
THE SENTIMENT HAS NOT INCREASED
Other Questions Besides Currency
to Be Considered.
Blu SIN ESS ARTY

The republican leaders are by no means
blind to the marked change that has come
over the situation within the past few
weeks. There is no talk now Of a walk
over in November They are beginning to
believe, as Mr.. Bailey of Texas assures
them, that they are going to have q run
for their money" They are thinking 1t all
over with the greatest care and concern
They must have sound platform and a
sound ticket to begin with, and then a
union of sound money sentiment to end
with. The platform is the rub. The ticket
is as good as made.
The Silver Sentiment.
While concedng that the silver sentl-
ment is rising, and that it appears just now
to be threatening, the republicans do not
believe that the tide can sweep the demo-
cratic party to victory. They hold that the
party is handicapped by series of failures
so complete and disastrous that, however
pleasing its campaign promises may be,
the country Will not again intruSt 1t with
power. 1t has shown itself, the republicans
say, incapable of redeeming its promises,
or or grasping national situation In a
national spirit. The tariff agitation is
cited. That went On for years. Great
things We're promised to business men and
to the farmers II only whack at the high
protection policy could be secured. Finally
it was proposed to wipe out protection al
together; and upon that issue in 1892 the
democracy won.
DemOcracy's Record.
With what result? the republicans ask
Answering their own question, they point
to the delay in taking up the tariff ques-
ton, to the bill the democrats introduced
and passed-Lneven and illogical in every
important feature, they declare, and un-
n h.a ~ Of bn
and to the depressed conditions of affairs
ever since.
Proceeding, the republicans ask If, in the
light of this history, fresh in the minds
OF all. the country can be expected to COM
NIT the settlement OF the currency QueS-
ton to the democratic party. Suppose
there are republicans here AMI there who
believe in free silver, and would like 70
see the government inaugurate a free sill
Yer policy. Are they likely to join hands
with the democrats for that purpose sim
ply because the democrats in & national
platform declare themselves in favor OF
1t, too? What assurance will the demo-
Gratis be able to give such men of the abil-
lty to carry out the scheme in case of
coming into power? Where will be their
'papers'-their recommended ations? The per
formances of the Fifty-thlrd Congress on
the tariff and other questions?
No Strong Growth of Silver Feeling.
The republicans hold another opinion that
assures them. They doubt If. strong and
sweeping as it now appears to be, this sill
ver sentiment is stronger than it has
been for some years. 1t has dominated the
south and portions of the west and portions
of the middle states for long time But
it has never won a national victory. 1t
has never made men forget other issues
Free silver democrats who are also free
traders have never been willing to abandon
their economic views, and free silver re-
publicans have never been willing to aban-
don protection. This has prevented union
at the polls, and the republican leaders be-
lleVe that 1t will again prevent q union
there strong enough to carry the day There
Will be business of Importance to attend
10 after the currency quest stion has been dis
posed OF; and the republican contention in
the campaign Will be that history shows
that the republican party is conspicuously
tie party of business