Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-05

THE PENDING QUESTION HERE.
chairman Harrity, OF the Democratic
National Committee. declares in an in
terview "that there Is no reason why
we should sit down and admit that we
are already whipped eve are still
very long way from that" he thinks.
lie admits that the free-coinage question
will be great question before the peo-
rle at their primaries and In their state
conventions. and at Chicago. but he is
Of the opinion that 'the majority Of the
Democrats are opposed 10 the free-silver
doctrine" while he says that there Is
"a very compact and very able and very
energetic minority in favor OF that propo-
eiton."
Yes: IL will not do TO ignore the fact
that free silver is very strong I'm the
south and I'm the West We do not be-
l,eye that &c Is as strong now as It was
n year ago. but nobody can deny that 1t
is popular with many people.
since The mints OF India were closed
10 the free coinage of silver the Dispatch
has never seen the day that II believed
that the United States could venture
alone upon the free coinage of silver
Inn, We have never felt called upon to
speak harshly of those who are OF
different mind.
our hone and wish has been that the
two wings of the party. so to speak,
might act towards each other so that
the victory of the one over the othef
would not leave permanent ili-enect. we
believe that the Democrats of Virginia
win meet In State convention with good
feeling towards one another. Only Few
have been heard to say that they would
boil the party If this. that, or the other
thing were done or not done. The cur
rency question, we cannot but oeiieVe'
will cut great figure in the meetings
10 be held I'm this state to elect delegates
ia our State convention, and II Will DOUBT
less be heard from i'm the state conveh-
,ien. TOO. But while we shall advise our
neople not TO believe that the United
states without international cooperation
can venture upon the free coinage OF
silver, we don't propose TO make
this question the supreme ana concur
siye test of Democracy. We are not oil
those who would prefer goldbug Re
poblican TO a free-silver Democrat.
We cannot see why such good sense
and patriotism as that when Drought
MS out of our ''snarl IN 'he
state convention fo1s years ago
should not serve us in good stead
ar the coming State convention
NJ, saw let each side make the best hght
To
the result. Let the winners be conside-
rate of the feelings of those over whom
they have triumphed; let the ceieateu
accept their situation with good grace
Then certainly we shall be able TO pre-
serve our party in this State, no matter
,vha, disaster comes upon II elsewhere
A. "a what the si'' er Democrats VIII
ia shou,d they be defeated at Chicago,
the Washington correspondent OF the
New York Times writes as iollo"s'
While ex-Speaker Crisp is silver man
and viii be the candidate OF his factioh
An Georgia for senator at the next cleo
,,on. ne IS not such an ardent supporter
Of the white metal as TO put II above
his party.
what shall dog' Why. l expect to
support the nominee of the chicago con-
vention." Judge Crisp said In answer 10
A reporter. Il see no use OF all TINS taik
about what We will or will not 40
Representative Money, the senator
eject from Mississippi. says that gold
platform or goid-standatd candidate
viii wreck the Democratic party, but Tor
the people Of his State he says: I'VE
may, and 1 think Will, be able to Keep
them In the party, although tnere are
many who say they will never vote for
a single-standard man for President. i
an, "A Democrat and expect TO stay in
the party. There are too many other
great issues for the party 10 solve, and
Il Is competent TO do So"
Representative Bailey, OF Texas says:
III l am forced TO choose among the
Republican party. with Its well-known
policies. the Populist party, with its
vagaries aud paternalism. and the Demo-
cratic PARTY, even with a gOld-standard
platform | shall certainly support the
Democratic candidates. but | am per-
fectly free 10 say that. IL the Democratic
party should commit itself 10 the gold
standard. and there was any other party
with which 1 agreed. and which agreed
with me on all other questions. l would
Join 1t without moments hesitation"
"As important as l consider the silver
quvstior. i expect 10 stay In the Demo-
cratic party" said Representative Gins
more. Of Arkansas II believe the only
hope for bimetallism Is In that party.
We cannot afford 10 split, as disintegra-
tion will weaken the cause OF silver
Representative Owens. of Kentucky, Is
not a i6-to-1 silver man. but he believes
mat the silver Democrats OF his State will
support the nominee OF the Chicago con-
l Mention.
Kentucky Is already Disguised with
Repubcanism he said. "and will re-
7 ttfn 70 the faith OF its fathers"
Senator TilIman. South Carolina
said; "Oh. everybody knows my position.
We are still sticking to the party In
SNuth Carolina, and are going TO 90 80
ax long as there IL hope In II for a
change IN the condition OF affairs. We
ore going e. Chicago with a silver dele
cation. II the convention decides that 1t
Utll give the people 0: the country no