The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-24
w. c. WHITNEY SPEAKS.
He Says Republicans Are Forcing n
Second Democratic Ticket.

He Says Republicans Are Forcing n
Second Democratic Ticket.
NEW YORK. July 23.-Mr. W. c. Whit
ney was asked to-day if, in his Judgment
there would be third ticket nominated
by sound-money Democrats. He replied: Il
think events and the course of the Repub-
lican leaders are making it inevitable. The
general situation is far worse to-day in
my opinion. than ii was ten days ago. The
Republican managers and candidates have
shown no realizing sense of the situation.
They have failed to avail themselves of
great opportunity for benefting the coun-
try. If the present condition OF affairs con-
tinues for any length of time sound-money
Democrats are bound TO organize and ii
cannot be prevented. The truth is. there
does not seem TO be in the East a realiz-
ing sense of the seriousness and sincerity
Of the free-silver movement. You may call
it a craze, but it has captured the imagin-
ations of the great mass of people through
out the entire West and South, and il has
a much stronger following in some por-
tions of the East. not closely allied to
large commercial centers, than is generally
supposed. 1t is the result of reading and
agitation. 1t has become a fixed opinion
and an unreasonng one. think it may
jority of free silver believers at this time
are not open to conviction. Their minds
are made up and they are quite as little
inclined TO reason upon the subject as were
the delegation whom they sent TO Chicago.
Il was satisfied before we went to Chi
cago that nothing could be accomplished
in the direction of changing or modifying
the free-siiver idea, and / said so. Never
theless, ii was our duty TO go there and
emphasize the strength of the convictions
of the Eastern Democrats and further 10
afford the country an object lesson showing
so plainly that it could not be msun-
derstood the undemocratic and revolution
ary spirit which dominated the movement
In this we were successful. The Demo-
cratic mask was pretty effectually removed
from the face of the Populism which had
forced itself for the time being into a po-
sition Of control That was all the sound
money Democrats could hope TO accom-
plish. and that they did effecrally and
unselfishly. There never has been in any
party convention such vigorous declara-
ton of independence as was exhibited at
Chicago when 254 delegates refused TO par
ticipate in the selection of candidates.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
What should have been the next step in
the fight for the preservation of national
honor and sound finance? We had sudden
ly. come upon new and very great crisis.
one that called for the sinking OF partisan
ship and the union of soundmoney men TO
rescue the country from disaster. Hun
dreds of thousands Of Democrats stood
ready TO subordinate everything. even to
voting for the Republican candidate What
was the duty of the hour? Clearly IL was
one that devolved upon the Republican
party AID its candidates There should
Rave been an immediate recognition of
new situation. and the Republicans should
Lave been the first to welcome sound
money Democrats to a ro1partisan union.
subordinating all other things TO this ques-
1t dwarfed all others. An opportunity was
offered to fight for the established institu-
sions OF the country; the fundamental
things that underiie party diferences-law
ssty the integrity OF the courts-aI such
thspgs without which We do not exist al
a Nation at all. A single glimpse at the
Chicago platform and at the spectacle OF
revolt should have been enough 10 have
snown them instantly the necessity OF
rsw alignment of parties upon nonpar-
usan lines. No greater opportunity for
! Ind il has all been thrown away.
What has been the course of the Repub-
! lican leaders and the Republican press?
silver enthusiasts and the solnd-money
Democrats in one class and denouncing all
together under the name Of national
Democracy. Nj Mckinley continues 70
an actual issue in this campaign as COM
pleteiy as slavery; and the Republican
press and leaders persist IN derid.ng all
racy and yet admit that the doubtful
States are those where Republicanism has
been dominant for thirty years Such =
(Concluoea from Second Pagel