The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-29
WILLIAM c. WHITNEY
VERY DESPONDENT
Has But Little Hope Of Checking the
Avalanche Of Silver at Chicago.
THE RESULT OF ITS ADOPTION
Recognition Of the White Metal by
the Convention Will Break Up the
Democratic Party..The South and
West Have Apparently Passed the
Point OF Discussion.

New York. June 2S-The hopeless con-
camp has never been more freely shown
than in the dependency of William c.
Whitney, who undertook some time ago
to stem the free silver current that Is
sweeping over the party. The Tribune
today publishes an interview with Mr.
Whitney, in which he talked despond-
emily of the Democratic prospects. al
though he declared he was going to
Chicago To aid in most determined
fight against free silver.
The Tribune reporter talked with Mr.
Whitney In his home, at No. . West
Fifty seventh street.
How is the campaign getting on?"
asked the reporter.
Like 1860. the truth must be told"
Mr.. Whitney replied.
What are the chances of sound
money in Chicago"
UNLESS the situation changes, and
our southern and western friends are
! disposed to reason with US, no chance
whatever"
and west?"
Judging by the letters receive,
there is no apparent disposition to dis
cuss The matter at issue.I fear it has
gone beyond that point"
COULD DO NOTHING.
"Have you asked Senator's German
and Brice to attend the convention as a
| party duty?'
mo. They have no reason to believe
that they could accomplish anything.
| None of us have"
IF a free-coinage candidate is nom-
mated ON a free-coinage platform, what
will be the result"
''Practically 1t will disrupt the Demo-
| cratic party. No power on earth can
| either coerce or persuade sound-mOney
| Democrats to fOrSake the fundamental
principle of Democracy. They do not
regard this question as either factional
sectional or political. The mainten-
ance of national credit is matter of
national honor. The Saratoga plat
form emphasizes this fact. 1t says that
the rigid maintenance of the present
gold standard at the present time is
essential to the preservation of our
national credit, the redemption of our
! public pledges and the keeping invio-
late of our country's honor That is
New York's position. 1t is as positive
as words can express. And 1t cannot
| be changed
COMPROMISE IMPOSSIBLE.
"Then you do not look for a COM
pronise?'
Compromise Is impossible. Debase-
ment Of the currency would be more
| than mOnstrous in effect. 1t would be
abandonment of principle. 1t would
| disgrace every citizen. 1t would not
be merely dishonest. it would be dis
honorable. And you cannot compro-
mise a question of honor"
What do you expect to do in Chi
cago?"
"DO everything in our power to save
the party and protect the country. That
is the plain duty of every Democrat
who goes to Chicago; ard it is none the
less the duty Of those who stay at home
not to hamper the efforts of those who
go. And by those who stay at home
mean not merely Democrats; mean tC
include every good citizen, regardless
of politics or prejudices. The crisis
which has come upon us is the most
serious menace to national prosperity
and the welfare Of the people since 1860
This is the time when all men who love
their country must stand together t.
avert. If possible, public disgrace ant
the wreck Of hundreds of thousands o.
homes throughout the entire country.
You do not despair of success. then?'
mo. We cannot yet tell whether th'
knowledge of the attitude of eastern
Democrats will affect the determine
ton of the southern and western Dem
Ocrats, who have not known until with
in the last week how strong the feeln,
here is. The vigorous expression of ou
position may cause hesitation. especial
ly among the rank and file of the Dem
ocracy, who. | cannot believe, want t.
drive all eastern Democrats out of tn
party. | know some OF the leaders o
the movement assume that attitude. bli
l am not yet convinced that the peopl
are behind them. And. If not, they viii
make their wishes known and felt.'
Md THIIDM AN,c nDlAInN