San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-07-17
COL. WATERSON TALKS.
DISSATISFACTION OF THE DEM0C-
RACY PERILOUs.
Thinks a Gold Standard Democrat Might
Win = Bryan's Election Might
Bring on Civil War,

ing with his family at Geneva,
was interviewed today by CORES
pendent touching the democratic
crisis in the United States. Col.
Watterson has sought the seclu-
sion Of the Swiss mountains, not
merely for recreation and rest, but
for the purpose of completing the
life of Abraham Lincoln on which
he has been engaged for some
time.
"For more that a year," said Col.
Waterson, ~ have been out of &C.
tive politics, and on account have
declined to be drawn into the dis.
cussion of public matters, and into
exposing myself to criticism and
responsibilities which could not be
met. You see / am not used to
taking blows without giving them
in controversial combat, and l am
loath to put myself at a dis
advantage In this subject.
But the state Of affairs at
home lie too serious to justify the
silence of any man whose opinion
may be desired. What is 1t you
particularly wish me to speak Of?
"First, the ticket nominated at
Chicago"
personally, it is an unexcep-
tional, strong ticket. Mr.. Bryan
is a most worthy and we'll educated
young man, with talent for what
passes for oratory. He is fervid,
sincere, poor and conscientious.
Mr.. Sewall is a democrat of long
standing. He is millionaire of
Maine"
"And the PLATFORM"
"Monstrous. 1t not only means
national reputation and spoila-
ton, but is an open door to revolu-
ton. II the leaders of this meve-
ment could come into power, those
of them who have any sense of
accountability, any conception Of
orderly government, would be
quickly set aside by the wild
elements behind. In this way civil
war could be precipttated upon the
people. Then the strong hand Of
the Federal power would be inter-
posed, but II this was withheld,
the reign Of the mob would be easy
enough"
"What of the proposal to put
another democratic ticket in the
field"
"You will observe" said Col.
Watterson, slowly weighing and
what he said, "that
those who are so quick TO urge
of all sound money
men upon Mckinley are either
republicans who naturally seek to
swell their party ranks by such an
unexpected accession, or those
democrats who from q sense Of
sheer outrage and disgust,
leap at conclusion, not caring
to take two bites at a cherry.
"Mr. Mckinley cannot compro-
mise on the issue which he has
made the corner stoneof his politi-
cal belief. 1t Is true the money issue
and not the tariff issue is in the
now, but there must
be logical consistency in all things
and neither Mr.. Mckinley nor his
party can ignore the tariff issues.
Hence another democratic conven-
ton with another democratic
ticket and directed by wise coun-
sells, is the sole hope of the demo-
cratic future and would be the one
refuge for those democrats who
have nowhere else to go. A mix
ture, to respect the conventions
and exigencies of these democrats
would in the highest degree be un-
safe. AS between Mr.. McKinly |
Mr.. Mckinley in the final out
come Mr.. Bryan would get as
many Of these votes as Bryan
And many would stay at home. A
sound money ticket would get |
hem all. Thus, after the election |
;he opposisition may be on
sound basis and not relegated to |
The wild horses of populism for |
,hree years more of ruinoip agita-
ion, with another life or death
struggle at the end of it.
"It is not certain that q ticket |
headed by Messrs. Carlisle, Wit
ley or Russell and placed upon a
ocular democratic platform would
Tot get more votes than ticket
headed by Mr.. Bryan. Such a
ticket would not disturb rect, but
assure it. The complete disinte-
ration of the damocratic marty ia