The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-02
v. c. WHITNEY INTERVIEWED
THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER
TAKES A GLOOMY VIEW OF
DEMOCRACY'S FUTURE.
TIE PARTY WILL Be DISRUPTED.
If Free Coinage Be Adopted at Chicago,
and Cchances Are That it Will-East-
tern Democrats Will Make a
, Very Strong Fight.

New York, June 27.-William c. Whit
ney at his home today, gave out the fol
lowing interview:
"How is the campaign progressing!
"Like 1860, if the truth must be told.
"What are the chances of sound
money in Chicago?"
"Unless the situation changes and our
southern and western friends are dis
posed to reason with us, no chance what
ever"
"What do you hear from the south and
the west?'
Judging by the letters l receive, there
is no apparent disposition to discuss the
matter at issue. | fear it has gone be-
yond that point"
"Have you asked Senators German
and Brice to attend the convention as Il
party duty?
mo. They have no reason to believe
that they could do anything. None of
us have"
''If free coinage candidate is nomi-
mated on free coinage platform what
will be the result?'
practically it will disrupt the Demo-
cratic party. No power on earth con
coerce or persuade sound money Demo
Gratis to forsake the fundamental princi-
pies of Democracy. They do not regard
this question as either factional sec
tional or political. The maintenance of
the national credit is matter of nation
al honor.
''The Saratoga platform emphasizes
the fact. 1t says that the rigid main
tcnance of the present gold standard at
the present time is essential to the pres
ervation of our national credit, the re-
demption of our public pledges and the
keeping inviolate of our country's
honor.
"That is New Yorks position. 1t is as
positive as words can express it, And
it can not be changed"
"Then you do not look for compro-
mise?"
Compromise is impossible. Debase-
ment of the currency would be more
than monstrous in effect. 1t would be
abandonment of principle. 1t would dis
grace every citizen. 1t would be not
merely dishonest; it would be dishonor
able. And you can not compromise II
question of honor"
what do you expect to do in Chi
cago?"
do everything in our power to save
is the plain duty of every Democrat who
goes to Chicago and it is none the less
the duty of those who stay at home not
to hamper the efforts of those who go.
And by those who stay at home, | mean
not merely Democrats; | mean to in
clude every good citizen regardless of
politics or prejudces. The crisis which
has come upon us is the most serious
menace to national prosperity and the
welfare of the people since 1860. This
is a time when all men who love their
country must stand together to avert, if
possible. public disgrace and the wreck
of hundreds of thousands of homes
throughout the entire country"
You do not despair of success them
"No. We can not yet tell whether the
knowledge of the attitude of eastern
Democrats will assist the determination
of the southern and western Democrats
who have not known until within the
past week how strong the feeling here
is. The vigorous expression of our po-
siton may cause hesitation, especially
among the rank and file of the Demo-
cracy, who, | can not believe, want to
drive all eastern Democrats out of the
party. | know some of the leaders of
the movement assume that attitude, but
| am not convinced that the people are
behind them, and if not they will make
their wishes known and felt