Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-23
Republicans ana Sound Money Demo-
Gratis should Act Together.

New York Sun tdem.)
The speech of the Hon. Bourke Cock
ran at the dinner of the Chamber of
Commerce on Tuesday evening expressed
in eloquent language the tone and tenn
per of the democrats of whom he is so
distinguished a representative. They are the
democrats who supported Mr.. Mckinley at
the last election as the only means of resist
ing the malign forces which had obtained
control of the democratic organization, and
which still continues to hold 1t.
As Mr.. Cochran said those forces of dis
order are still in the field, being marshaled
by their defeated leader for new assault
upon credit and Industry and hence, asked
the speaker, how "can we afford to disband
in the late campaign?
Now that the election Is over and the
danger averted for the time being there re-
main, accordingly, as Mr.. Cochran remarked
on Tuesday evening, only two organized
political forces the forces of disorder in
control of the democratic organization, and
the forces OF order held together by the re-
publican organization. from which came
their main strength In the late canvass. That
IS the fact, and there Is no use trying TO es-
cape from 1t. Bryansm has control OF the
democratic organization. 1t represents the
only democratic policy with reference to
questions actually in practical politics
which is capable of definition and formula
liOH AS ytI tHtTe mas DCtn no formulation
Of distinctively opposing democratic doctrine,
and there is not i'm sight the prospect of
such a specialization. The tariff we have
now is democratic. but it is also thoroughly
protective in principle, and, therefore har-
monious with republican doctrine and pur-
poses on the subject The Cleveland admin
istration opposes siverism, with its utterly
impracticable and wholly rotten scheme for
the retirement of the greenbacks by vast
increase in the bonded debt. The mere
AZ a atan nf fc stgrh {,lto
sure condemnation by every party with
shadow of political substance II can never
become a serious issue of politics. and was
only contriyed as a means of diverting at
tention from the disastrous failure of the
present administration.
Hence, there is at present no real question
of principle or of policy which stands in the
way OF the continued combination OF the
forces OF order in behalf of which Mr. Cock
ran made his eloquent exhortation. To use
his words: Can we afford the luxury OF
political divisions as to the administration
of the government when the existence of
the government is imperiled? Can we af-
ford to quarrel about systems of laws while
the moral law itself remains in dispute in
American politics."
The only difference between the repub-
licans and the honest democrats concerns
moreover, mere matter OF detail as to the
application OF a common policy, the policy
OF protection. Without the assistance OF
the issue of protection the great bulk of the
republican party could not have been held
together. Mr.. Mckinley elected and the
catastrophe OF Bryan's success prevented
Mr.. Mckinley cannot go back on the pro-
lection principles of which he has been so
long the foremost exponent without dis
graceful disqualification and without
treachery to the great majority OF voters
who made possible the victory OF the forces
OF order Those principles, however. can be
carried out in legislation without offending
against any actual democratic policy for
the present democratic tarin being itself
standing as to precise schedules Is entirely
possible. and 1t is obligatory. There is no
vital economic difference between the two
nothing essential for them to fight over
That being the case. the prospect OF set
tlement of the traiff question which will fur
ther cement the union Mr. Cochran deems
so essential to the safety OF the republic
ought to be assured.