The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-14


the people of the west, upon the para
mount issue of the coming political
campaign:
CHICAGO, Feb 9, 1896.
My Dear Mr..
Tt has been some time since 1 wrote
you This has been owing to g. variety
of reasons, the principal ones being
that I was hoping until the last mo-
ment that you would attend the confer
ence, when we could discuss matters
at length. and press of work In or
der to get away had to prepare con-
siderable matter in advance.
You, of course, know all about the
work Of the conference. 1t is not the
actual formation of new party, but
it certainly means one If both of the
old parties fail us. My judgment is
that there is absolutely no hope from
the Republican party this year. There
is some hope from the Democratic. The
silver sentiment in the latter is strong
err than in the former. 1t is possible
that it may control the convention.
This, however, is not likely with the
administration, and the money power
united against silver. Success in the
regular organizations is very doubtful,
but the independent sentiment is
strengthening fast. Hatch's speech
was very significant. Bryan was here
Friday. We had a long conference.
He does not want to break away before
the convention; but he says the restor-
alton Of silver overshadows in inpor-
lance every other question. That BIZ
metallism is Democratic gospel, and if
the party is dragged from its mornings
by the administration and Wall street,
he owes it no allegiance. 1 think the
prevailing sentiment in the south is
to work within the party lines until
the convention is held. Then if the
principles of Jefferson and Jackson are
abandoned. there will be a strong re
volt. All of the better elements of the
Populist party are in favor of stand
ing on the money issue alone. There
fore the chance for a strong combina-
ton of silver forces is exceedingly good.
Just how it will take place it is too
early to predict. Possibly the silver
Democrats may name a satisfactory
ticket, and the others endorse it. Or
each body may hold a convention, de-
clare its principles and all unite in
naming the candidates. The sugges-
ton has been made that the silver
Democrats might name the president,
and the silver men proper and Popu-
lists name the vice president My
Judgment is that if the silver wing of
the Democracy name ticket. silver
men all over the country should and
will stand in and support it. :
H. f. BARTINE.
Reference in the foregoing letter to the
attitude of the two great political par
ties on the question of silver. justif1es
reference to the position The Herald
has hitherto assumed on that issues of
issues which from now on until it is
settled right will continue to confront
the American people. As stated by Mr.
Bartine, as his judgment, we have held
there is absolutely no hope for silver
in the Republican party We
have insisted that there is
more hope for favorable legislation
for silver in the Democratic party, in
fact about the only hope for favorable
legislative action for silver in our judg-
ment lies with that party Mr.. Bartine
admits that there is some hope of ac-
ton from the Democratic party; and
admits that it is possible that the sill
yer sentiment may control the Dem
ocratic convention, though he regards
it as a thing not likely to happen. with
the administration and the money pow
er united against silver
Bryan is not in favor of breaking
away from the Democratic party before
the convention. We are glad to hear
that statement, and hope by the time
that the convention meets he will have
so far modified his views that he will
not break with Democracy even though
that convention in Chicago splits in
two over the silver issue, ''Bimetal-
ism is Democratic gospel" truer words
were never spoken. Let Democrats then
cling to that truth, and with
equal tenacity to every other ten
ct of the Democratic faith: no
more conserving to give UP other prin-
ciples of Democracy than we would
give up bimetallism. but keeping the
faith whole and entire.
Let but Democrats turn away from
the siren songs of those who would
WOO them into third parties, and fix
their resolution firm enough and it is
our fixed conviction that such is the
sentiment for silver in the Democratic