The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-05
The New Democratic Issue.

The free-silver sentiment in the Demo-
cratic campaign of 1896 began to fade long
before the day of election; and out OF the
interior disturbances Of that disordered and
defeated movement there has emerged a
firm and aggressive harmony upon the idea
which crowded free silver to the wall. The
new Democratic organization, paradoxical
as its name is in the sight Of Democratic
tradition, has at last found an issue which
its recent discordant clements can accept and
make a fight for with united strength. This
issue can be found almost at random in
the late free silver or Democratic press. For
instance, we take it from the Kansas City
Times, the most prominent journal in the
district surrounding western Missouri:
The principles for which the Democrats and their
allies fought are not the sort to be lost by . tempo
rary defeat. They are at the very foundation of So
ciety. 80 long as the trusts maintain their grip on
the throats OF the people, there will be q Democratic
party lighting for industrial and political freedom
For example, also. in the city of New
York on Wednesday night the Tammany
organization Of the Fifth Assembly dis
trict passed this resolution unanimously:
"ResolveA That We heartily invite the support and
cooperation Of all the citizens of the Fifth Assembly
tsttiSt INV ~ oppoocu W tuhSHs " suo iiohopo
lies which oppress the public. and to the financial
policy Of high taxation and lavish waste of the Re.
pubIcsp party"
The destruction of trusts, of monopolies,
or of any accumulation of capital big enough
to be noticed, is to be the aim of the great
political combination lately gathered to-
gether in the Democratic name on the prop
osition to debase the money standard by
free silver. The forces of disorder and social
rebellion are again called upon to unite for
the qualification of their enmities against
the benefciaries of prosperity, with stronger
determination and clearer understanding of
their own purpose than distinguished their
recent effort under BRYAN. And again, the
most inspiring motto for this socialistic and
destructive assault on private property,
prosperity, social peace, and the constitu-
tional democratic institutions of the United
States is found in the hypocritical cant of
GRoyER CLEVELAND. condemning trusts as
the Communism of Pelf."
Nothing in the sayings of DEBs, BRYAN,
GEORGE, AITGELD, TILLMAN, or any other
crazy or vicious ~demagogue of the pend
ing agitation, can equal in its inflammatory
effect on the spirit Of discomfort and dis
order the CLEVELAND Characterization
OF trusts as the Communism of Pelf."
II it be actually true that this last feature
OF industrial evolution is an instrument of
thievery, then practically the whole in
&ustrial world is thievish, base. and execra-
BILE. Startling opinions to come from a
President of the American republic I!
Upon one other point the new Antitrust
party and Mr.. CLEVELAND, the apollo.
pist Of the murderrrs of Homeataad ara
agreed. Both have carefully omitted to in
clude in their proclamations against trusts
the greatest and most monopolistic of all
trusts, the Labor Trusts or Trade Unions,
organized for the express purpose of sup
pressing competition. This discrimination
may be difficult to explain as the discussion
Of the new issue advances, but the explana-
ton OF it will have to lie given.