Evening star., 1896-02-22
1t is Likely to Prove Dangerous to
the Democrats.
PLACES POLICY BEFORE PARTY FEALfY
A Conference of Leaders That
Could Not Agree.



thing anticipated by its writer. 1t is ex-
tremely doubtful whether letter from him
advocating party harmony and appealing to
party feeling in the interest of tn. demo-
cratic caucus nominee before the Kentucky
legislature would have greatly benefited
Blackburn, for the democrats who are yot-
Ing against Blackburn are Instructed by
Their constituents to vote for Sound
money candidate. Such a letter might
therefore, have been written by Mr.. Car.
Isle with great safety. had he designed to
take a less bold stand. The letter written,
however, recognizes no party obligation In
obedience to the majority rule, upon any
democrat to support a nominee whose views
on any subject of Importance are not ap-
proved of by the minority This Is probably
the only attitude that can be occupied by
the anti-silver men of the democratic party
IL they intend to remain in that party for
otherwise they would be committed by the
majority in the democratic states to the
support of a policy which they denounce
From a purely partisan point of view, how
ever. it is dangerous doctrine for the ad-
min1strat1on TO proclaim at this time. 1t is
conceded that in the democratic states, as
a Wnole, the majority is against the admin
1strdtIon, and the anticipation that the
democratic national convention will indorse
SOUND money is based almost entirely
upon the strength of those states repre-
sented in the convention which cannot give
an electoral vote for that marty The CON
xenlion IS expected, however, to declare for
SOUND money, and the minority OF the
convention is expected to support the ticket
on the grounds of party loyalty.
dangerous to the Democratic Party.
1t Is here where the doctrine advanced in
Mr Carlisle's letter, though, doubtless, a
very good doctrine, Will become dangerous
TO the democratic party. The most urgent
plea IS now being put forth by the Sound
money democrats for unity Of action and
subortlination of Individual opinions to the
good of the whole party. Every possible
effort is being made to get democrats to
pledge themselves In advance to stand by
The party, no matter what the declaration
OF the national convention may be- This
plea is made in the interest of Sound
money Thus the Carlisle letter, though
probably unimportant as far as 1t con-
cerned the question which it deals with di-
rectiy, is most inopportune. 1t is not to the
Interest of the administration to have that
doctrine adopted at this time. The conse-
Guence of it is already being felt. Men who.
have been waverinS before the appeal to
their party loyalty and have been inclined
to adopt the theory that their duty to their
party would demand loyalty in spite Of
difference Of opinion are bridIin4 I'm and
quoting the administration authority for
the declaration In favor of personal indie
pendence and the consideration of policy
before party.
Futile Conference.
A conference between leaders of the
democratic party has been held within the
pasc forty-eight hours. The conference
was called before the Carlisle letter ap-
peared. The silver men, the gold men, the
administration and the anti-adminis trait
men were represented by one or moro Of
the recognized party leaders. There were
but few present. but they were the recog-
nized leaders, representing the differences
of opinion which divide the party. but men
who have never by any suggestion indi-
Gated a disposition to disregard party disci-
pine. They were all men who regard the
preservation of the party organization as
of the first Importance, and who would
settle all differences within their own
ranks and abide by the decision. The Car
Isle letter had appeared before the con-
IereI ce was held. They met around a
drner table and for 3everal hours dis
cusSed the situation, and when they part
cd they were as far from an agreement
as when they met. The doctrine Of policy
above Iarty obtained. They did not get
beyond tho discussion of the party plat
1orm- There was no encoura cement to dis
euss candidates. Every possible form of
declaration on the financial question was
proposed and there was none that would
be accepted. Anything the gold men would
accept the others would not consider. No
concession that the silver men would offer
was acceptable to the gold men. It final
~ got down to proposition to say moth
ing at all In the platform about finance
and each side then said that would do If
me candidate We're pronounced in favor of
their side of the question. Each would he
willing to forcgo the platform if given the
candidate. This was the nearest to an
agreement they got 1t was useless then
TO discuss candidates.
The Only Hope.
Inc only hope of the party appears 70 be
In hnding man whose views on the fnon
cial question are unknown to any one on
earth, and who will not declare himself
with such a candidate and a platform
silent on that one question: each side might
be willing to make jump in the dark and
stand chances. If the leaders, who are
merely partisans. could have the say they
would probably fix 1t so. They would take
q pig In poke rather than have no pork
BUT. taking Congress as q criterion the
rank and file of both factions insist upon
knowing exactly where the proposed candI-
date Is going to stand, and Carlisle's doc
trine OF individual independence is prompt
ly applied.
An Anti-Morrison Movement.
The sentiment In favor of nominating
Morrison, as a sold man, on a free coinage
PLATFORM, with the pledge that he would
not veto free silver bill, has struck the
stage of reaction. There Is a decidedly
anti-Morrison move now on foot among the
silver democrats. This is due largely to the
1act that 1t has been intimated that Mr..
cleveland Is rather more favorable to the
nomination of the horizontal reformer than
IS eXplainable by the theory that Morrison
would De neutral on the money Question
Inc anti-Morrfson move is not in the inter-
est OF any particular candidate. On the
contrary 1t has no candidate and Is look
ing for one in the dark. The announcement
that Vice President Stevenson intended to
write a letter declaring himself for silver
suggested his name, but 1t is exacted Of
him that he declare himself speedily. and
this he does not seem Inclined to do. As IT
stands now they have nothing but the
declaration of one man, who went to con-
suit with him on the subject, that Mr.
stevenson said he would write such q let
ter before the meeting Of the convention
The statement of this man Is not doubted,
put there is so much time, they complain,
between now and the convention within
which Mr.. Stevenson might change bis
mind.
Good Western Man Wanted.
What the anti-administration, silver and