The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-10

lican candidate must carry. whoever no
may be. In the next place. the party Is
going 90 put forward to the country n
plea thar We should return TO the plan
. ~ high protective duties when the pco-
pic have folt the benefits Of cheap goods
which The Democratic lowering OF the
tariff has secured TO them. There Is no
part OF tho country that asks for re-
turn 90 the system of high protective
duties except the manufacturers Of the
East. and tho whole country turns from
The suggestion with the most decided re-
pugnancc. The Republican party viii en-
tcg upon this presidential canvass worse
handicapped than any party ever ala 80
into amy campaign. and. yet fl secias TO
us certain that they win elect the Pres-
dent unless tho Democratic Convention
does what we hardly dare hope II viii
do II the Democratic Convention would
morcilessly suppress its frcc-siycr Gle
mcnt and declare for che single gold
standard. with as much coinage Of silver
I'm subsidiary coins as the country would
take, nothing could prevent its elccting
either whitney Russell. or Pattison.
Bu, we have hardly hope that It will
do this. The most that We hope for from
it is some miserable facing-two-ways
platform that may be read one way by "a
lrec-coinor ana another way by Il sound
money man, on a meaningless declaration
apout international bimetalllsm that salts
rcs 40 one and only excilcs dlstrust in
an.
II is quite likely that this will be the
money plank OF both parties. II is en-
-irciy possible both viii declare for in
tcHatonal b.mo.allism. THAT will answer
lor tho Republicans, but Il viii be FAR
from answering lor the Democrats. Tho
reason i5 tls: Tie Republican party has
more Of the confidence Of The country I'm
REGARD 10 finance. while the Democratic
party is undcf enc couauys suspicion.
Tho people az large believe that the Re
publican party intends TO keep the coun-
tiy upon O. soarl-moacy basis never mind
what its parry platforms may say. They
fear Je Democratic party has &c in mind
20 bring GA Us q dehased money system.
and nothing but ,hc most exemplary con-
duct upon SIS part will allay popular
apprehension in this regard. II the Re
publican platform declares for iutcrna-
tionsl bimetallism 60 viii Doc generally be-
licvod that this IS nothing but a case
OF souud-money zen coquetting with the
free-colnera Hut 81 the Democratic plat
form declares for international bimetallism
b. VIII be believed to be q ease Of free
c1iuefs coquetune with sound-money
mon. Such is the influence of character
ana reputation. The Republican party as
party has invariably stood out for sound
finances ana no tamporng with the stand
ard Of value Whatever declarations it
may have made the Democratic party has
managed 10 impress the country with the
belief that IL is for cheap money and
debasing the standard Of value. That is
the actual case as it stands to-day before
the people OF tho United States. For the
Democratic party therefore, to gain the
confidence of the people of this country, it
must speak out in mequiyocal terms
and declare thar 81 is for the single gold
standard. and that So is out and ont OPP
posed 10 any tampcrng with the stand
asd of value and TO an forms of cheap
money whatever. il it does this il will
secure the confidence of the country, and
81 would stand a good chance TO elect
tho President. If it, palters or uses Ian
guage capable of more than one con-
strucuon. it is lost beyond the hope Of
redemption.
VIII it have the sagacity 10 seize its
ODDortunitv2