The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-05-02
WHY NOT TAKE cAMERoNy

1t has been intimated from various
sections that II the Democratic nationa
convention shall oe controlled by th'
fres silver freaks. as now seems possible
n may nominate Cameron as its eandi
date for president, as such a nomination
would assure his acceptance by the Pop
ullsts and thus make Fusion between
Democrats and Populists on the most
vital issue Of the contest Several prom
ment Democrats. notably Senator Cor
man, in discussing the situation. declare
II impossible for Cameron to be the
nominee OF the Democratic national con-
venti0n.
II the Democratic national convention
shan be controlled by the cheap money
element, why should not Cameron be
taken as its candidate? He is the
strongest cheap money man in the coun-
try. He is a Democrat by birth and
long cherished convictions, and he has
absolutely severed his relations with the
Republican party. He is the most prom
inent representative Of the free silver
craze TO be found in the country, and
Is one % the few who. outside Of his
cheap money semi-deni-Quavers. has
character. courage and sense.
There Is but one absorbing issue in
Ehe coming national contest, and that
b sound o. Insound money On the
question OF the tariff II is taken for
granted that u the Republicans succeed
they win bring about a return to the
protective policy, and there can he no
issue in. the minds OF the people about
that So the money issue is the promi-
nent issue before the people. and If the
Democratic national convention shall de-
generate into free silver conclave there
would be eminent fitness in nominating
Cameron for president.
A free silver national convention would
be the last of the kind ever to be held
BY the Democratic party as a national
aTganization, and If the Democracy shall
choose to die without nope Of resurrec-
lion by adopting the cheap money craze,
they could do no better than to die in
the embrace OF Cameron. He would
give some measure Of respectability to
the funeral ceremony.
II the Democrats OF the nation mean
to be honest on the money question as
taught by every one Of the great apostles
Of Democracy, they could not entertain
the question OF nominating Cameron.
Jefferson and Jackson, who are Cver
pointed TO as the exsmplars Of Demo-
cratic conviction and action, were reso-
Iute and tireless in their efforts against
cheap money. and If the Chicago con-
Tention shall fall into the hands Of an
organization that has a degraded cur
rency at one end and anar ,hists at the
other. It must be accepted as departure
from the fundamental principles OF the
Democratic faith and the end OF Demo-
cratic effort.
The Democrats can well afford TO be
defeated in 1896 with an honest money
platform and an honest money candi-
date. Even If they did not command a
single electoral vote they would poll
millions of votes and command the re-
spect OF the country and Of the world
and be a hopeful party for the future;
but If the cheap money freaks are TO
dominate the convention it would add a
shade OF respectability to Democratic
degeneracy by nominating Cameron for
president, and he would command more
electoral votes than any other man who
could be nominated on the free silver
platform. If Democracy is to cease TO
be Democracy, Cameron is the logical
candidate for president