New-York tribune., 1896-06-23
FOR \ COMPROMISE.


Washington. June 22-Democratic troubles thick
en-. When President Cleveland returns from his
fishing excursion he Will probably discover that
William c. Whitney's appeal TO his party in be-
half of sound money has been received with more
general favor and has produced deeper impress
sion than his own manifesto on the same subject
This will be true because a good many Democrats
Will see in Mr.. Whitneys appeal a elmmer OF hope
that a compromise may be effected al chicago
which will not only avert an open rupture in the
Democratic party such as occurred in 1861 but VIII
also give excuse for sound-money Democrats TO
support the nominee and platform Of the Chicago
Convention
Other Democrats take contrary view. For ex-
ample, there is Representative Terry, Of Arkansas,
who is of the stronger and more Influential
frec-sver Democrats in Congress In conversation
to-day Mr. Terry said: "The idea that Mr. Whit
ney can go to Chicago and do like the wise men
OF the East who went to St. Louis-buy up enough
delegates TO make gold platform-is ridiculously
humorous. and don't believe Mr.. Whitney can
be made cat's-paw of in any such scheme. II one
Is 10 be attempted. l also believe that since Mr.
Whitney has fully and realized the situation
he has weakened in his determination TO go TO
Chicago"
What Mr.. Whitney do at Chicago"
The best thing he can do is to persuade his
Eastern friends 10 fall IN line Ike loyal Democrats
and support the ancient principles of the party
Senator Roach. Of North Dakota. praises the tone
of Mr. Whitney's letter, but does not believe that
It will produce the effect its author desired and
perhaps expected. Among other things he said: Il
very much pleased with the letter of ex-Sec-
Tetary Whitney. While, OF course. disagree with
his premises advocating ) do the free coinage Of
silver the general tone OF his letter gave me Neat
satisfaction 1t was the conciliatory spirit o(i!s
address to the Democrats Of the land that ht-
tracted my attention. II is the frst evidence have
OF anything like consideration shown by the
gold men of the East their free-sver colleagues
(. IL. ,lx-
the harsh and uncomproms.ng attitude Of the
radical anti-silver men OF the East Mr.. Whitneys
letter will not change vote in the West, but it
will do much dissi1ate the harsh feelings
listing between the wings OF the party. and pro-
duce a better feeling among the delegates at Chi
caso. 1t is just such a letter as | would expect
from him. ! think there Is no question TO the
euccess of free silver at the Chicago Convention.
We Will have a magnificent majority of votes for
the insertion OF g. straSht-Out free-sver plank in
the platform. or course at this stage OF the pro-
ceedings it Is not definitely assured that there
would be a two-thirds majority OF silver men, in
suring the nomination of frce-silver candidate for
President. This difficulty, however can be obviated
by the Convention. We will have a majority in the
organization and the Convention VII make It's
own rules. The rule requiring two-thrds TO nomi-
nate could be changed so as to provide that a
jority should nominate"
Political observers IN Washington note the dif-
ferences between the expressions OF Mr.. Whitney
spectivey. All OF them favor sound money and
regard the movement in favor OF free and unlimited
silver coinage under existing conditions as menace
to the prosperity OF the country and "A blow aimed
lat the public credit. Colonel Morrison regards it
with such disfavor that he refuses with his usual
ldirectness and well-known rugged honesty to be
Regarded Presidential candidate on free-silver
platform. Still he comedies that silver will win
at Chicago Mr. Cleveland does not. The Presi-
dent has issued call to battle. lie admits that
the situation is grave. but he does believe that
the day Is lost. He wants the sound money Demo
crats 10 rally for a last charge. Mr. Whitney, for
one. in response to this. buckles his armor. But
Colonel Morrison-a very game mails not In a
Charging mood. And why?
The gossip OF the day-much Of it well authen-
ticated-all goes show that the sound money
Democrats are not united There is good deal
oi criticism of the President. lie IS accused Of
having been from the outset Of this financial con-
ention too hard. too driving: He has rejected all
counsel. He has been too little IN touch with the
party leaders. He has made IL too difficult for
them TO keep him informed OF the changing phases
of affairs. Some OF them, IL Is nOW complained
could have given information TO him as far back
las year ago which leader I'm his position might
have used with excellent effect In the s9lnI-nOney
cause. But they could not get his conndence. He
seemed to be content with his views. The
suit is that this silver wave in his party has burst
upon him a great surprise. His Eastern friends
had been telling him-and may themselves have be
lieved-that the wave was sUbsiiing. But the con-
'urally he offers resistance.
Men OF Colonel Morrison's kind-and there are q
good many Of them IN the party-'ealiZe that it Is
now too late to make successful fight. The sill
,ver men. however much the fact IS 10 be deplored
iare in possession Of delegates enough 10 write