The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-12
NO DANGER IN TT.

success of the free silver crusade and
threaten the election of Mr. Bryan
1t is natural alarm, and yet the sup
position that underlies 1t is seen by
the slightest examination to be super
fetal and false. Will any Democrat
who holds sound views on the money
question be deferred or hesitate for
one second to join in whatever action
may be necessary to restore Democ-
racy to it's ancient strongholds by the
idea that he may be playing into the
hands of the fiat money people or as
sisting a Populist victory? On the
contrary, we are firmly convinced that
only by such Independent action can
the possibility Of such a disaster be
averted.
1t must always be borne in mind
that there are today, wavering III
the balance, several million voters
in this country who have not deter
mined upon their action next Novem-
Der. A number of these are free silver
Republicans, who will doubtless, be-
fore November comes, topple over into
element there is no salvation. AS far
as the effect of further political action
upon it is concerned 1t may be dis
missed The important item is the great
mass Of Democratic voters who, on
general principles, are utterly opposed
to the free coinage of silver, and who
are yet as unalterably opposed to
high protective tariff, and who regard
McKinleyism as one of the works of
the devil. Suppose, now, that these
men are left in the predicament in
which they now find themselves; that
is, shut in to a choice between two evils.
What is it reasonable to suppose that
a majority Of them will decide to do
between this and next November? They
are and always have been Democrats.
They have been taught to believe that
protectionism stands high upon the
list Of crimes, and that to encourage
or assist it is not only to forfeit their
political heritage, but to assist in the
corruption of the state. They can,
as things now stand, voice their SEN
timents in favor Of honest money only
by voting for an apostle of the1 hated
principle Of favoritism in legislation;
and a man, at that, whose financial
views. have been, and there is reason
to fear still may be, thoroughly I'M
sound On the other hand, if they vote
for Mr.. Bryan they know that they are
helping along the cause of free trade
at the sacrifice only of their convic-
tions on finance.
We do not think that it admits of
the slightest question that a majority
of these voters, if left to their own de-
vices, without leadership and without
a party to which they can attach
themselves fervently and permanently,
will drift, before election, into the free
silver camp. We shall have no word
of censure for them if this should hap
pen. In the choice between two evils,
each so threatening as those that
overhang the republic, every individual
must reckon only with his conscience;
and we can understand readily why
a sincere and patriotic man might
conclude that it was better to take his
chances with Mr.. Bryan and free sill
yer, than with Mr.. Mckinley and pro-
tectionism run mad. Therefore, if the
situation remains as it is now, the
result will be the accession of small
number of sound money Democrats
to the Republican side, because they
could go nowhere else without doing
what they believe to be worse; while
large number Of them will make the
best Of a bad bargain and vote for
Bryan and Populism.
The placing in the fell Of truly
Democratic ticket, heading an organi
cation of the old-line Democracy of TIE
country, will hold all this vote stead
fast for original Democratic principles.
We do not say that such a party could
carry the country this year. We hardly
expect that much. We do believe that
it would carry a considerable humber
I
of states, that it would have fat least
second place in the electoral college,
thus holding the balance of power, and
that 1t would sweep the nation four
years from now with the irresistible
force of principle and enthusiasm. Its
effect upon the chances Of the other two
parties would be to diminish materi-
ally the possibility of free silver sue
cess, and to draw to itself more votes
likely to be cast for cheap money next
November than votes that would be
ranged on the sound money side. AS a
matter of principle, as a vital necessity
to the continued existence of a Demo-
cratic party. as rescue of the senti-
ment and order that we love from the
jaws of Populism, we believe, in any
event, in casting prudence to the winds
and recognizing genuine Democracy
out of the rout that has come upon it,
ing regard to expediency only, and
seeing how best we may advance the
cause of the people and the interests
of national honor, safety and prosper
ity. we believe that nothing can con-
| duce SO much to this as to offer an ac-
| ceptable platform and nominees to the
three or four million Democratic voters
in this country who find themselves
| to-day served with writ Of .ejectment
froTnStheir fathers house. and VITO will
Z -ns1f enter the tent of the fiYir1P 1fff1lnn