New-York tribune., 1896-11-21
THE FUTURE.

,r, hearty welcome which sincere RepuD-
lcaps extend TO the Sound Money Democrats, ny
no one more eoquently expressed than oS 'o'
ernor Mckinley himself. is not for To-Day aiohe'
Thov have made themselves politically house
,oss .pd homeless. The tendency Of their party
toward reputation and Anarchy VIII no' I've
overcome by 1900 and may not ne uh'h li"cn
inter. They are level-headed men in the main,
md know that the Democratic machinery VIII
no remorselessly used to crowd them out OF all
share In the party, or In It's next convention.
Nany of them argue that the Democratic Con-
vention of 1900 may be anxious to retain their
participation and even to ask their control
Rut the brightest and ablest OF them 90 not
look for any such state Of things. Accurately
stated. the prospect for them is maintenance OF
an independent party for more than four years.
or an alliance with the Republicans until the
repudIators and Anarchists have been finally
overthrown. II is not question OF sentiment
which they have to meet, but one OF practical
politics.
The Democrats included in this number are
among the brightest and most intelligent men,
and the most competent and experienced mana
rers. of the Democratic party. Ii Is literally a
question whether the party can live with the
brains gone out Of it. Many strong men who
were compelled by the exigencies Of the recent
contest TO stay with the ship are well known
TO be and will certainly be found in hostile
ranks whenever the same issues are presented
again. Yet nothing seems more probable than
that the same issues will be forced upon the
party In 1900 and that the men who believe in
sound money and loyal enforcement OF Ma
tioual laws will be driven to choose between
nj far
A separate organization of National Demo-
Gratis. holding fast the principles of their an
cient party and refusing at any cost to favor a
candidate opposed to them, would not have be-
fore II a brilliant prospect. 1t could not expect
10 control legislation. Its members would be
forced to choose between the free silver and
unlimited paper inhatIonists and the Repub-
lcans. and on almost every practical issue
would be compelled to act with the Republicans.
As Mr.. Cochran stated. it would be to them in
tolerable that President should be compelled
TO win the votes Of free-silver men in order TO
preserve the Treasury from bankruptcy. Men
who are thus compelled to regard a great Ma
tlonal organization as the only salvation for
the principles which they hold dearest. II is
safe to say. will ind 1t their duty to help that
organization to their utmost ability, and not by
votes in the air or by abstention from voting.
Yet they differ from the Republicans on the
tariff. II seems 10 them hard thing to defend
and vote for a revenue policy which they think
mistaken. Yet General Palmer, and many other
war Democrats whom history will ever honor
as noble and patriotic, did heartily sustain the
Republican party thirty years ago or more be.
cause II was TO them the only practical agency
By which the Union could be maintained. His
,ofy repeats itself. The disioyalty of to-day Is
al the more dangerous because 1t is not openly
SECTIONAL and does not In arms resist the laws.