The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-29
THE ISSUE OUGHT TO he CLEAR
CUT.

st do not know that ] am for s1lFef'
said a prominent Democrat yesterday
sbut L am deeply interested in havin'
the Democratic National Convention
nominate a silver man for Presiden
80 that the people can vote sttaigh'
Ion the question"
There is much wisdom in this posi-
tion. The people are anxious TO have
a test vote on the proposition, and ~
d government where Ehe people are
masters it ought to be SO that the de-
sired opportunity could not be denied
them. In Switzerland, under the OPP
era4ions of the referendum, this qnes'
ton could be submitted to the people
direct. In this country we have gov
eminent by parties, and there IS no
way Of putting the issue squarely be-
fore the people unless the two great
parties take opposite sides. There are
a few silver men and many gold men
in the Republican party. The ma
iority will control in that party, and
declare substantially for the gold
standard. though there will be plati-
tudes enough about "bi-metallism. ="
The logic Of the situation compels this
course. 1t was the Republican party
that demonetized silver, aud that has
enacted all the legislation inimical to
a true bi-metallism. 1t is but natural
that it should defend and uphold its
own policy. On the other hand, the
Democratic party, at every stage, has
opposed the policy Of the Republican
party; denounced it as class legislation
and ruinous to the many; and sought
to restore old conditions. il is true
yhat a handful Of New York and New
England Democrats have always sided
with the Republicans, but the votes in
Congress show that the Overwhelming
majority Of the party favors and has
favored free coinage. 1t is just as
natural that the Democratic party
should oppose gold monometallism and
she issue Of bonds ISSUED as the logi-
cal result Of the Republican gold bug
system) as that the Republicans should
favor and defend both. And yet we
have the spectacle of a Democratic adj
lninistration trying to graft Republi-
can policies on the Democratic party,
and seeking to make both parties go
before the country upon the same mon
~ ,,1a4 form
The people are opposed to straddling.
The gold men in both parties are say
ing that the money question Is
secondary, that there IS nothing in
free coinage, and That this or that
Is The real issue III the campaign
1t Is the people and not the politicians
who make the issues. They have de-
creed that in this campaign the quee.
ton whether the financial system, like
the protective tariff, shall forever be
used to enrich the wealthy few, ana
the products Of their toll be measured
in a constantly approaching dollar is
the overshadowing issue.
IN 1892, the people decreed that the
tariff should be cut down to revenue
only. A few straddlers, calling them-
selves Democrats, united with the solid
Republican party, and prevented a full
carrying els # the peoples will,
though they could not prevent all S.
duction of tariff ta1es.
In 1896, the people are resolved hat
the men who have manipulated TIC
currency to their in1poyerishment and
to the enrichment Of the bond-holders
and gold spectators shall no longer
control the affairs of this gov runnnt.
They desire, and mine tenths nf its
members also desire The Democratic
party to be he agency for bringing
about better conditions. The Demo
cratic party stands at a great crisis. If
it is untrue in it's hostility to control
By the money power, if III permits its
ancient name he used as cloak for
the gold-olaters, if it proves recreant
to its principles and its pledges help
and deliYerance will come from am
other quarter, but the Democratic
party viii lose the opportunity Of its
career TO serve a righteous cause and
do justice to the people.
HELP FOR CUBA.
IT is almost criminal for the people
of this country to sit still while Spain
butchers the Cubans with a deyilish
malignance that has hardly any par
aIlel III history