New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-22
SILVER DEMOCRACY.

The trouble in the Democratic camp does not
lessen Conventions in several States have made
il probable that the silver men Will nave Gear
majority in the National Convention, ana VIII
dictate its policy. Their chance of success Is IN
creased by the prospect which they are now aDle
10 hold out with much apparent reason, that
the Populists and the Silver party will sim
nly accent the Democratic candidate nom
mated at Chicago if free-silver man on
a silver platform. This would put the Demo
Gratis Of other States in a most humiliating posi-
tion for if they bolt there is scarcely State
that they could carry. because the Republicans
would have the better chance Of success in every
sound money State. and would therefore draw
the votes of sound-mOney Democrats. But II
they tamely submit. their power within the Dem
ocratic organization Is gone forever.
The shrewdness of the silver leaders must be
recognized. They intend TO capture the Demo
cratic party. bag and baggage because its des-
perate condition will incline all its Western rep
resentatiyes to do anything to prevent the drift
of its voters to the Populist or the free-silver
CAMP BY asserting TO the demands of free
silver men these local leaders, Senators ana
Representatives may hope to retain their posi-
lions and thciI power in State affairs. Any other
course would bury them But II they once sur
render TO the free silver party they pass out OF
all relation with Eastern Democrats for the
future. and have to rely upon Western ana
Southern votes for the election OF any candidate
1t Is only recognition OF facts to say that they
have no better chance. 1t Is not good chance
this year. No combination Of Democrats ana
free-silver men and Popusts can elect Pres
dent hostile to Protection. Yet that combination
| can probably get more electoral votes than any
| other in opposition to the Republican policy
| Without argument, it may be assumed that 1t
| could not carry any Northern State east of the
| Mississippi nor Delaware Maryland. nor West
Virginia The shrewdcst Republicans are conf
dent that it could not carry Missouri against
Protective policy. 1t certainly could not carry
Iowa or Minnesota nor the Dakotas. and II l.
significant that the Democratic Convention in
South Dakota has turned down the silver men
as emphatcally as the Republican Convention
did Kansas and Nebraska might be called fight
ing ground, but in the Pacific States Protection
would probably win against any combination
because Of the growing competition with Asatic
industry The Republican policy would assured
" prevail, and yet the combination might catch
some electoral votes which could not be secured
in any other way.
1t is the dream Of silver men that this com
blnaton will draw from the Republicans multi
tude of voters in Indiana. Illinois. Missouri
Kansas Nebraska the Dakotas and the Pacific
States. and thus make success possible by union
Of everything west Of the Mississippi and south
of the Potomac and Ohio. with some States of
the North But the trend OF events is against IT,
Far more powerful. beyond all comparison the
most powerful force now tending to defeat any
Democratic combination, Is the utter disgust Of
the whole Nation at the results Of the Demo
cratic tariff policy. Except for that the issue
might be in some doubt BIT the silver men
have challenged Protection TO battle for life
| and DEATH and that is the one thing which makes
| their defeat certain. They cannot make even
| respectable struggle for Northern States on the
| basis Of the Democratic tariff. They cannot
| manufacture an alliance Of Democrats and silver
men without taking in the Democratic Free
| Trader as the chief partner in the concern, con
| trolling most Of the votes and deciding upon the
| policy of the alliance. But they cannot carry
some OF the silver States for any candidate or
| on any platform fayOrng free trade in wool. or
admission of Chinese and japanese products at
| low rates of duty