Evening star., 1896-10-01
CARLISLE AND BLACKBURN
Not Likely That There Will Be Joint De-
bate Between Them.
Mr.. Carlisle's Friends Would he Sur
prised If He Accepts the
Proposition.

1t will surprise some of the warmeSt OF
Mr.. Carlisle's admirers If he accepts the
proposition to divide time with Mr.. Black
turn at the engagements he is soon to fill
in Kentucky. The challenge is regarded as
one of those bold plays of the silver men
inaugurated by Mr.. Tillman in his mes
sage to Gen. Harrison, and followed by the
effort of certain men in Chicago to bring
about a joint debate between Mr.. Bryan
and Mr.. Mckinley. Mr.. Blackburn and Mr..
Carlisle are wholly unlike in their equip
Eent as political leaders The one is a
popular stump orator. with a resonant
voice, picturesque vocabulary and turn
for pleasing phrases. The other is classed
by his frierds as an intellectual giant, with
lucid and convincing style of statement,
and as a real leader of thought in the
country.
Could He No Joint Debate.
AS the friends Of Mr.. Carlisle look at the
matter. there could be no such thing as a
joint debate between these two men on the
financial question. Their appearance to-
gether on the stump would, of course, at
tract enormous crowds, but in the present
state Of politics in Kentucky more acri-
mony than anything else would likely be
aroused. Already at one or two places
sound money democrats have been denied
hearing, on the ground that, being bolt
This spirit does not as yet extend very far,
but if it could he famed into flame at all
it would be by the hot cross-countering on
the stump of the two men In the state who
divide democrats so sharply on the current
issue.
Blnckburn's Position.
Besides standing for free silver, Mr..
Blackburn stands for what is called ''regu-
larity' in politics. Ardently as he supports
nd ho hal 2
to be for the salvation Of the country, he
would yet today be standing on a gold
standard platform had the Chicago conven-
Con so decreed. He appraises partisan duty
as Mr.. Hoke Smith, Mr.. George Fred Will
lia ms, Mr.. German, Mr.. Faulkner Mr.. Shee-
han and other democrats of that school CO.
Mr.. Carlisle is of the Bryan type when it
comes to submitting ones convic .ions to
party behests. He refuses to follow party
IN matter involving, as he considers, the
credit and welfare Of the country.
The report that Mr.. Carlisle is likely to
meet with personal lndignity upon his ap-
pearance in the canvass at home is not
credited here. Such a proceeding might be
possible in some small community where
partisan feeling runs high, but in the cities
where Mr.. Carlisle is to speak not only
would such a thing be- entirely out of The
calculations, but il could be prevented by
tie Secre.ary's friends and followers Sound
money democrats are numerous and inf1u-
entail in the cities, and the assurance is
that they will see to 1t that the leading n:s n
in the state, coming home to define his po
sition and justify it before his people, in
speech free from the personalities of joint
debate, shall have suitable hearing.
Only In His Own State.
While the demand for MIR. Carlisle from
other states is strong and pressing, there
is said to be no likelihood Of his partici-
pating in the campaign outside of his own
state. Other members of the cabinet take
this same view of their duty. They will in
their own way exercise their rights as cit
izens at home. but away from home they
might be charged with bringing the H.
tluence Of their respective offices to bear on
the situation. The President agrees with
them in this. and what they may do within
the lines they have prescribed for them
selves will be with his entire approval