The Indianapolis journal., 1896-07-03
THE sOUND-MONEY SENTIMENT In
THE SOUTH.

The solid South has been considerably
weakened in recent years by the establish
ment of protection and honest election
clubs, and 1t looks as if the free-silver agi-
tation might contribute still further to its
breaking up. Although the South ern
States have sent solid free-siver delega-
tions to the Chicago convention. there is a
strong sound-money sentiment in that Sec
tion of the country. lit was outvoted in the
Democratic State conventions, but it is
there all the same. When the Southern
people learn the effect the free-silver craze
is having in money circles Of the East there
will be reaction there in favor of sound
money. The Washington correspondent OF
the Baltimore Sun says that party of
prominent Southerners who called at the
White House recently told the President
that while in New York they found gen.
eral disposition among the capitalists to
withdraw loans and investments from the
South, and they sfeared. as the result of
the silver agitation, that many millions
would be Withdrawn. Undoubtedly there
will be, and when they see the damaging
effect the free-silver agitation is having on
Southern interests thousands of Southern
Democrats will abandon il, and will vote
the Republican ticket or not vote at all.
One of the White House visitors referred
to informed the President that out OF five
of the most prominent Southerners now liv-
ing in New York four had informed him
that If the Chicago convention nominated
free-silver candidate on free-silver plat
form they would vote the Republican
ticket. Thomas f. Ryan. a prominent
Southern railroad man. is now living In
New York. The chairman of the finance
committee of the Democratic party in Ala
bama recently wrote to him asking for a
contribution of 5000 to the campaign fund
in that State. He declined on the ground
that the party organization was committed
10 free silver. In his letter he said:
1 am, as you know. Southerner Ly an
cestry and birth. My connection with
Southern railroads, which has become
somewhat extensive OF recent years. Also
L think. Justifes the assertion that 1 am a
Southeriier in a material sense. / am fully
aware of the trials and discouragemenrs
which now beset the Southern people. but
/ also recognize their patriotism and intelli-
gence. II, therefore. they are. as we have
been led TO believe. advocates of free COIN
age OF SILVER Dy this country alone. but one
conclusion is possible, and that is that they
are laboring under the greatest misappre-
hension that has found a place in their
minds since they were induced to engage
in warfare for the dissolution of the Union
The impossibiity of my participate
ing in any movement which would in my
judgments result so disastrously TO the
Southern people is manifest. / should be
very glad 10 contribute. as L have con-
tributed in the past TO Democratic cam
paign funds for use in the Southern States.
But for the reasons which have given. no
less than for the certainty that in the
event of the success of free-coinage party
/ shall need every dollar i possess to
weather the storm / find myself unable To
acce1e to your request.
For many years past the Democratic par
ty in the South has drawn its campaign
funds principally from New York and the
East. This year il will get nothing. The
result will be a weak and nerveless Demo-
cratic campaign, while the Republicans will
make an unusually vigorous one. Many
sound-money Democrats will vote the Re-
publican ticket. and their anxiety for the
success of sound money will make them do
all in their power to insure the success os
the Republican party. This means new
influence in favor OF a fair election and
honest count. A great many. Southern
Democrats who heretofore have never
cared whether Republican votes were
counted or not will insist on having them
counted this year. sound-money votes will
be in demand. whether deposited by white