The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-19
DEMOCRACY AND SILVER.

1t is now conceded that the Demo-
cratic convention will be controlled by
those processing to be for free coinage
of silver. And in view of this fact
it is meet that one should recall some
of the past of Democratic professions
in order TO make sure Of the meaning
and sincerity of such professions. In
1892 the west was assured that the
platform of that year meant free coin
age. Cleveland was elected by an
overwhelming majority. Made over
whelming by western majoriues. MI
Cleveland was elected by free coinage
votes. What was the outcome Of this
election? How has silver been treated
by this exponent of Democracy?
The Sherman purchase law of 1890
has been repealed and silver discredit-
ed in every possible manner by the
administration. Carlisle and the whole
administration have been the most in
yeterate enemies of silver the country
has ever seen. They have gone out
of their way, been officious and Of
fensive in local politics in the interest
of goldbugism. This administration
has contracted the currency of the ma
ton, dried I'D the hfe-blood OF COM
merce. withered and blghted the vigor
Of trade, shriyeled the prices of west
ern products, like crops IN the march
of a hot wind In dealing with the
tariff, in striking at the principle OF
protection, in foisting debt upon the
country for only TO pay the incapac-
ity of the Democracy stands out dark
and prominent In the presence OF all
this what spectacle!
The Democracy is again TO be the
party of repentance and promise. Con-
Tossing the failure of the administra-
ton, deprecaing its policy Of failure,
the moss-grown Democracy is TO re-
verse IT'S policy, to reform its actions
and pluck victory out of defeat by
turning a back-action summersault in
the presence of the enemy. History
will seldom witness such a spectacle
Contrast the Democracy in, with the
Democracy out So long was the Dem
ocracy the party of opposition that it
lost what little courage and capacity
il may have had. Does anybody be-
heve the Democracy intends TO carry
out any promise it may make on the
silver question? 1t has neither the
courage, capacity nor Intuition of do
ing anything Of the kind.
IL intends to fool the west by pro-
fesSions. After throwing away all
hope of success by inexcuSable blum
ders elsewhere it clutches at the for
lorn hope Of catching the free silver Re
publicans of the west and of gather
ing into its fold the impracticable Pop
uliSts. BY professions it expects 10
accomplish these great things. But
they cannot happen These promises
will not be believed. The present and
PAST will belle the future. The promise
Of 1892 and the practice Of this ad-
miniStration viii stalk like a deadly
nightmare through this campaign The
Democracy Is not for silver,-it has
discredited and outlawed it. Its Chi
cago profession cannot stand before the
awful condemnation of the past Dem
ocracy Is doomed 1t is the sinking
ship. 1t will not fool the Populists. 1t
will nominate some Bourbon who for
the sake OF the vain hope Of getting
an election viii make promises OF
friendship for silver. But defeat viii
be swift and certain. Its record is
dreary and its new faith and inSin-
oerity mockery. Doom awaits il, but
upon its ruins we may hope 10 see
something better, more patriotic