New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-15
FLING OUT THE FLAG.

Let us get back to first principles-to the prln-
ciple of National honor, essential no less to
the preservation Of the citizens individual self
respect and patriotic pride than to the main
tenance of historic precedents and the high
standard Of political morality which has given
us our place in the family Of nations-to the
principle Of common honesty, any deviation
from which entails disgrace upon the citizen
and lasting shame to the country. The events
of the last fortnight have come almost as near.
If not quite, to the Obliteraton Of party lines
as did the firing OH Sumter, thlrty-fye years
ago.
Then none for party,
Then all were for the State.
Democrats threw craftsmanship aside. and for
got old differences-fOr a time, at least-in the
overwhelming pressure Of crisis upon which
they were not slow to see that the fate Of the
Nation turned. The present situation does not
greatly differ from that of 1861. Nor are hon
est Democrats who put patriotism above party
any slower to perceive 1t now than then.
Throughout the country Democratic news
papers by the score are repudiating the Popu-
listic and Anarchstc platform adopted at Chi
cago and refusing TO give countenance or sup
port to the candidates placed In domination
upon 1t. Influential leaders IN the party, men
who have followed its fortunes through thick
and thin. Boosting that they never bolted a
nomination or scratched a ticket. have not hest
tated to proclaim publicly their purpose to do
all in their power to defeat the Populist pro-
gramme and ticket, and to that end to vote and
work for the election Of Mckinley and Hobart.
They have but one reservation, and that most
natural one. They do not count themselves
Republicans. They simply say that there Is no
Democratic ticket in the field; that even II there
should be one put in nomination now, it would
not alter the situation or change the issue
which is between Populism and Patriotism
and that when it comes to that, they desire to
be counted with the Patriots.
The emblem Of Patriotism In 1861 was the
Flag 1. was not partisan. War Democrats
could display 1t without sacrificing what they
believed to be the fundamental principles and
doctrines of their party and yet signify thereby
that they were In cordial sympathy with He-
publican Administration In its efforts to put
down rebellion and maintain the Union of the
States. 1t meant that in the struggle for the
Nations life there should be no doubt as to
their attitude that, laying aside all consldera-
lions Of party, they stood by the Flag. The
conditions to-day are not dissimilar 1t Is not
the perpetuity Of the Union, but the honor or
the Nation that Is attacked. Patriotic Demo-
Gratis stand related to this assault as the War
Democrats did to that Of 1861. They for
Mckinley, but are not Republicans. They can
not wear Mckinley buttons, but they can
adopt an emblem Of wider significance by
which they will be known, not as Mckinley
partisans. but as Democratic Patriots, who
count the honor Of the country and the main
tenance of It's financial integrity as above all
considerations Of party harmony or political
success. Let there be- then, new button pro-
duced-a button bearing no candidates name
or likeness but just "Old Glory" with some
such legend as Honest Money" or mo Re
pudiation" Democrats and Republicans alike
could wear 1t. and by 1t be identified as Sound
Money men and Ant-POpusts, and no harm
would be done II It should supersede the Nc
Kinley button now so much in evidence, and
become universal. Give us new button with
the old emblem, and let everybody wear 1t who
believes In National honor and common hon.