New-York tribune., 1896-10-19
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
THE ISSUE OF LAW AND ORDER.
IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT
OFT OF THE HANDS OF ANARCHIsrs

IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT
ouT OF THE HANDS OF ANARCHISTS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: I am protectonist from way back. say iso-
for short and have been a sound money man al
ways; was a delegate TO the Chicago Convention
Of 1860 and took part in the United States senate
in the Crime Of 10" but it seems to me that
greater issue than money or tariff is now pre-
sented 10 the American people
Three grea. issues being considered In the
pending campaign-law and order. the money CUES
ton and the tariff The greatest OF these issues
Is the one of law and order. Major Mckinley well
says: Government by law must first be assured
everything else can wait" Mr.. Hobart says; All
men who believe in law must unite in defence
Of the Nation" Governor Flower says: The real
issue Of this campaign is patriotism. General Har-
rison says There is no issue presented by the chi
cago Convention more important and vital than the
question they have raised of protecting the power
and the duty OF the National courts and National
Executive . Tariff and coinage will be OF
little moment II constitutional government is
Overthrown."
To my mind the great question now before the
American people for decision reXt November, the
one which Overshadows and includes all others. Is;
Whch crowd body OF people shall be put In
possession of the National Government-the people
represented by Bryan or the people represented by
Mckinley and Palmer?
The Chicago platform threatens dangers enough
to alarm every patriot General Harrison truth
fully says THE atmosphere OF the Chicago Con-
vention was surcharged with revolution and char
acteriZed by a frenzy that startled the onloohers
and amazed the country" Major Mckinley speaks
OF the sudden dangerous and revolutionary as
saut upon law and order made by H. Governor
Flower says: The danger lies In the revolutionary
Influences which controlled the Chicago Convention
and animated its platform" Even Senator Hill
/ felr n "A n De .nOcrdt, but not
a revolutionist."
Dangerous and alarming are the definite ana
stated issues raised by the Chicago platform. the
dangers which lie hidden or but half revealed IN
the Influences and forces which lie behind 1t and
formed 1t still more dangerous and alarming
! The Chicago platform * but the beginning OF the
end which no man can foresee.
The issue OF 1851 was a definite proposition 70 d.
vide the country-one part 10 be free and the other
/ slave with little departure from recognized con-
| sttutional methods OF government. That was an
| issue that was understood. squarely met and
settled for all time. trust This is an insidious
/ movement with final purposes. more than half con-
! cealed and less than half revealed TO undermine
! and overthrow Government by Constitution and
! law and courts to violate National faith, and 10
subvert all sound National policies Tne issue mus S
presented is more dangerous than mat OF
1851 bsca this is fight In the oush wniie that
in the open. .
Then looking 70 the future well as the pres
! ont the vital and all-incudlng question Is Nnlcn
crowd shall shape the destines OF the country
/ Chicago. St. Louis and Indianapolis? Can any
Intelligent patriot hesitate how decide this ques-
ton The Republican party was made up IN 500
and 1850 OF the best men OF both the old parties
| II drew from the Wings such men rs Lincoln
| Wade sumner Morrill, Edmunds. Greeley, Ham
lin. Harrison Hayes, Waite and Stevens, ana from
the Democrats such men As Chase. HaIe, irunoult noun
| and Logan and thus represented the greater iorce
OF the conscience the intellect and the virtue OF he
SO now the Republican party in 1895. reinforced
by the flower OF the Democratic party, represents
| .yen a greater preponderance OF the brain. the
| conscience and the patriotism Of the country, while
| tho Chicago Popocrats represent the greater por-
ton Of the dangerous and ignorant elements OF the
! countrvs population. The Republican army, nooy
| led by Mckinley and Hobart and aided ny sreae
fankng force under the heroic Palmer ana BUCK,
| nor moves to the defence Of the Constitution and
| the laws under the Stars and Stripes, with the
steadlness OF veterans OF many nght tner near y
The tariff question Is practically settled In the
public mind In favor OF tariff FOR revenue only,
with Discrimination in the laying OF the necessary
duties in favor OF homo industry. which Is AZ we
| ever asked for The foundation OF the Republican,
position on the tariff may be found In Timothy w
but II any provide for his own and specially
for those OF his house. he hath denied the
faith and Is than an inhdeL' The American
people those " our own house IT,
The Republican farmers who favor free silver
! can best be held their allegiance to their party
nv putting in the forefront this phase OF the cam
pagn. thus appealing to their PATRIOTISM ana nc
class OF people Is more deeply patriotic thar
our farmers. Republicans and Democrats
The consideration OF this the paramount issue
should be pressed on the farmers OF the Middle
Western states and in schoolhouse night meet
ings General Harrison did wise thing IN push
ing this matter OF the revolutionary character o
tho Chicago platform to the front of the campaign
No other consideration will so surely Keep tht
farmer who l. in debt and in favor OF free silver
from voting FOR Bryan. and there never mas beer
the possible detection Of the Republican farmers Of
Chattanooga. Tenn. Sept 2s. 1896