The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-05
Mr. Crisp's Atlanta speech.


Mr. Crisp's speech AT Atlanta. in the
joint discussion between himself and Mr..
Smith. does not appear to have satisfied
the very large audience that was present
II did not meet expectations. Owing TO
the very prominent positions which he has
held It was thought that Mr.. Crisp would
present the free coinage side Of the silver
question so strongly that the friends Of sill
yer would be strengthened in their silver
views and that many Of those who have
not yet made up their minds on that ques-
tion would be Influenced to take the side OF
silver. Those who expected something Of
this sort were disappointed-greatly dis
appointed. II reports are to be credited
Mr.. Crisp did not seem to be very well
acquainted with the silver question-at
least he did not let It appear that he was.
He was more anxious. apparently. 10 show
that Mr.. Smith al one time held views on
the silver question different from those he
holds now. He devoted much Of his time
TO a letter that Mr.. Smith had written in
favor Of free silver coinage and to
speech he had made against the gold stan
dard. He seemed to think that if he prov
ed that Mr.. Smith had been years ago in
favor of silver, it would be generally ad-
mitted that free silver coinage would be
a good thing for the country.
Mr.. Hooper Alexander, in a communi-
cation published in the Atlanta Journal re-
viewing Mr.. Crisp's speech. says: Mr..
Smith contended that free coinage would
bring about disparity between the coins
and that disparity meant ruin. In Angus
ia Mr.. Crisp had admitted that disparity
meant ruin. Naturally we expected him
to show some probable reason for believ-
ing that under free coinage, the parity
could be maintained. Did he do it? Did
he make effort enough in that direction to
justify us in crediting his own sincerity?
I submit 1t in fairness to every man who
was present that Mr.. Crisp did not even
try to show a simple reason for believing
that he believes it. submit to every man
there If he was not evidently foundering
for something to say in order to consume
his time. 1t was ptiful A man who has
held the second most powerful Office in
America, regarded as a statesman, stand
ing before 10000 earnest people anxious to
hear the reasons for the faith that he pro-
fessed. could not to save his life find
enough even of buncombe to consume his
time"
In this joint debate is Mr.. Crisp outclass-
ed? No doubt this question has occurred
to others than Mr.. Alexander who have
heard either the Augusta or the Atlanta
speech or have read either Of them. on
most public questions Mr.. Crisp is a well
equipped debater. His failure thus far to
make a good impression in this joint dis
cussion may be due to the fact that a strict
adherence to the truth leaves very little
to say in behalf of silver, or It may be that
Mr.. Crisp is not satisfied in his own mind
that free silver coinage would bring more
prosperous times. But whatever the
trouble is It is evident that he is not sat
isfying the expectations of the silverites.
He will have to do much better than he
has yet done or he will have fewer sup
porters for the Senate when his debate
with Mr.. Smith ends than when it began.