New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-06
TILE EIGHT AT CHICAGO.

It IS hOrrid spectre, with red flag ana
blazing torch and wild eyes, which con-
fronts Eastern Democrats at Chicago. But one
might wish them more courage for the COMBAT
Starting with a New-YOrk platform so weak
that the Wise men of the East became known
as "straddle- bugs before they felt the wind OF
Chicago on their faces, these Eastern men have
been startled by the intensity of agraran ana
communistic passion which they find underly-
ing the silver craze. and, if dispatches are cor
rect. have been moved thereby not to sterner
resolution, but to more concilatory and plead
ing tone They no longer follow President
Cleveland in saying that against this out
break OF all tina. Is most base ana dangerous
1t is duty to vote straight for Mckinney, that
the result may be decisive. Instead, the East
ern Democrats are striving to keep control OF
the organization in as many States as they can
and give solemn assurance that they are good
Democrats and will not bolt. Such are the So
called sound money leaders, and 1t Is even sug-
gested on their behalf that If they can pull out
of the fire the nomination of some moderate and
safe man, even though Oh free-sllver pat
form, they will have achieved great victory.
In lust this way, paltering and tempOriZlng
with the basest and mos dangerous elements
of society," Democratic leaders have so fostered
and encouraged them for many years that the
East is now amazed at the tremendous force
which cOnfrOnts it, The sailor In Eastern story.
who uncorked the bottle and let loose an Atrlt'
found it not so easy to cork the demon up again
Mr. Cleveland himself Is not free from blame,
for he took active part in the appeal to lawless
and dangerous forces four years ago. Men VIII
not sooa forget his speech about the Homestead
RIOTS Senator Hill, who shared with MI WHIT
ney the control Of the so called sound-money
convention in this State showed. not four years
ago. less prudence or selfcOmmand than any
other Eastern Democrat IN appealing TO the
free-sjlyer fanatlcsm. How would he like now
to have reprinted his speeches and letters or
those days? 1t was all very nice then to stir up
assions of labor organizations and silver miners
and heavily mOrtgaged farmers against the Re
publican party. That was the short way TO win
votes. But now these votes Rave to be paid for,
and 1t costs.
This week probably brings to head that
| National boil, called Democracy. which has
! been fostering for so many years. The country
| will be more comfortable when 1t breaks. The
| precise form Of the break is OF Importance with
regard to particular States, but 1t does not seem
| at all possible in any case that the Democratic
party, as q whole, can be found supporting any
| ticket II can put up this year. Perhaps the
! secession from the party may be actually
| greater, In number Of votes If the more con-
| spjcuOus leaders save their own standing In the
| organization by refusing to bolt and give the
| ticket a pretended support. That course wouid
| in all probability make the ticket weaker with
| Populists and silver men at the West than any
other. for the thing which Wall Street can ac-
cept even under compulsion and with disgust
is not what the West most desires. The
strongest platform Democrats could frame for
the West. apparently is one that President
! Cleveland and his immediate friends would in
dignantly spit upon. and in like fashion his
preference for candidate would go far to
weaken the unhappy man.