Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-01-31
PRESS COMMENT.
Political COwardicc.

Within six months both Republican
and Democratic parties will be called
upon to name their candidates for presi-
dent, yet neither party has any definite
policy. The assumed leaders of the Re
publican party announce no policy. In
congress, Messrs. Reed and Allison have
assumed roll of inaotion; outside of
congress Messrs. Mckinley and Harrison
give no expression of their views and
shrink the responsibility of leadership.
As to the position of the aspirants for
the Republican presidential nomination
on the great question before the Ameri-
can people, the question to which all
others are subordinate, the country is in
the dark. Those who are making the
greatest efforts to secure what they seem
to regard in the light of prize only, ig-
more the question, avoid, when possible,
giving any expression of their views, if
indeed they have any, when confronted
with the question take an equivocal po-
sition or give meaningless answer
capable of any Interpretation which in
the future they may think wise to give it,,
and in all things, subordinate principle
to what they consider to be political ex-
pediency. To lead they make no effort
The responsibility entailed with leader
ship, of proposing or advocating a def
mite policy such as will lead to restora-
tion of prosperity they shun. Their one
aim seems to be to do nothing that can
alleviate any section of voters in the
party. Looked on purely as a game of
politics they are pursuing mistaken
policy. Inaction, vacillation, cowardice,
does not win popularity and gives any
thing but strength to candidate. The
candidate who takes an equivocal posi-
tion on any great question, runs the risk
of alternating his friends, and he can not
hope to win thereby the support of his
enemies. Such candidate may thereby,
and by promise of political preferment
in the event of success, win the nomina-
ton from a convention of politicians,
but such candidate can not have strength
before the people.
When the opportunity was presented to
the Republicans in congress by the presi.
dents financial message to announce a
definite financial policy, policy around
which the suffering masses of the PEG ole
would have rallied, and made Republican
victory in the coming campaign assured,
Republicans in the house, under the lead
of Mr.. Reed, failed to take advantage of
the opportunity. On the contrary, they
avoided the issue, they stunned the re-
sponsibility, they announced no policy
and took an .equivocal position. They
expressed their opposition to contrac-
ton of the currency by the retirement of
the greenbacks and treasury notes, yet
they gave their approval to legislation
that contemplates their virtual retirement
by boarding in the treasury. They avoid
ed any expression in favor of the gold
standard, thsy insisted or making the
bonds, the issue of which they unwisely
payable in coin, but they gave
no indication of taking, as party, posi-
tive and independent action looking to
the restoration of silver. Finally they
passed a tariff measure by which they
pledges given before election,
and, under the guise of expediency tenn
porarily abandoned the principle of pro-
lection and gave their support to rev.
enue measure. 1t is true the house but
carried out the program of Mr.. Reed, but
the house must bear with him the re-
sponsibility. As evidenced by Repub-
Leans in congress. the party lacks a policy,
lacks principle, lacks the courage neces-
sary to lead. The cowardice of the as
sumed leaders, leadership that the ma
jority of Republicans have not the cour-
age, if they have the inclination, to repu-
aiate, is disrupting the Republican party.
American.