The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-28
EX-SE(RETARY WHITNEY'S Views
HE SAYS THE SITUATION IS LIKE
IT WAS IN 1860.
Sound Money Has No Chance MT
Chicago---The Question Has Passed
Beyond Discussion in the West and
South-A Free Coinage Platform
and Ticket Would, He Says, Dis
rupt the Democratic Party.

New York, June 27.-William C. Whit
ney. at his home to-day, gave out the fol-
lowing formal interview:
now Is the campaign progressingfn
! Like lS60, if the truth must be told ~
in Chicago?'' ''' money
Unless the situation changes and our
southern and Western friends are dis
poseu 10 reason with us no chance what
ever ""''
Vest VI gnu
Judging by the letters receive there
is no apparent disposition to discuss the
matter at issue. | fear it has gone he
You'd that point
Have you asked Senators German and
lSrice to attend the convention as !, nnr-v
duty" '' - g par y
No; they have no reason to believe
that they could accomplish ANYTHING.
None of us have
III free coinage candidate is nomi-
mated on free coinage platform, what
VIII be the results''
practically, it will disrupt the Demo-
cratic party No power on earth can CO.
cree or persuade sound money Democrats
% lorsaNe the fundamental principle of
democracy They do not regard this
question as either factional, sectional, or
political The maintenance of the ma.
tional credit is matter of National
honor The Saratoga platform empha.
sized 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 lnviOlate of our country's
hohor; that is New York's position. II is
as positive as words can express. And it
cannot be changed
,Ihen you do not look for a compro-
mises''
Compromise is impossible. Debase-
ment OF the currency would be more than
monstrous in effect. 1t would he aban-
oonment OF principle. 1t would disgrace
every citizen, 1t would be not merely
dishonest, it would be dishonorable And
you cannot compromise IA question of
honor
fNhat do you expect to do in Chicago,
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, and il is none the less
the duty of those who stay at home not
to hamper the efforts of those who 90
And by those who stay at home mean
not merely Democrats mean to include
every good citizen regardless of politics
The crisis, which has come upon us, is
The most serious menace to national pros
perity and the welfare of the people since
1860. This is IL time when all men who
love their country must stand together To
avert public disgrace, and the wreck of
hundreds OF thousands of homes. -
Then you not despair of successyn
NO. We cannot yet tell whether the
knowledge of the attitude of Eastern
Democrats will effect the determination
of the Southern and Western Democrats
VINO have not known until the past week
now strong the feeling is here. The Wig
orouS expression of our position NAV
cause hesitation, especially among the
rank and file of the Democracy who
cannot believe want to drive all Eastern
Democrats out of the party. | know
some OF the leaders take that attitude,
but am not convinced the people are be-
hind them. And if not they will make
their wishes known and felt