New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-11

loyalty stood proof even under the stress Oh
Federal military occupation IN 1SG4, Wheh us
electoral vote against Lincoln and for Me-
Clellan. SO unpaatabe and unsympathetic a
Democratic candidate az Greeley won It's sup
port in 1872, while from 1876 to 1892 Presi-
Dental elections in this state have had the
mere semblance of a genuine political contest
A Democratic organization had been built UP.
compact. harmonious and effective. rarely weak
ened by internal dissensions. never broken by
disputes among It's leaders political spolls.
Uadcr the shrewd all inspiring guidance Of
Beck. Henry Watterson. Carlisle and Proctor
Knott the Kentucky Democracy grew In power
and Importance ard steadily spread It's innu-
ence beyond the borders Of the State. Its
leadership In National politics was gladly ac-
cepted by the Southern and Southwestern
States. and II has played a part In Democratic
National councils equal,ed by few rivals and
eclipsed by none. Especially champlonng the
extreme theory OF non-protective taxation the
Kentucky Democracy saw It's pet programme
finally forced upon the National party and It's
favorite doctrines reduced TO practice under the
first Administration Of Mr.. Cleveland and what
ever may have been the effect of the ill-fated
Mills bill on other States. It Increased the Demo-
cratic Presidential majority here from - $50 In
1884 to 80 G6G In 1883. notwithstanding the fact
that elsewhere the tide Of popular sentiment
ran almost uniformly in the contrary direction.
In 1855 the Democratic party in Kentucky
had apparently reached the apex Of it's power
Mr.. Clevelands reelection to the Presidency
In 1872 was the opening wedge to party rupture
in this State. 1t broke definitely the unity OF
policy which had held Kentucky to Bourbonis,n
for generation The great majority OF both
leaders and voters here had held with Beck
inHa
the Democratic creed. Carlisle Blackburn.
Breckenridge. McCreary and all the other repre-
sentatives of the State a, Washington had
voted and spoken in favor of free silver coinage.
Mr. Carlisle's acceptance of the Secretaryship
Of the Treasury, virtu ally pledged as he was. TO
the Administrators policy of maintaining the
existing standard of monetary values raised
at once disturbing issue in State politics
Lindsay. the junior Senator. who had only re-
Gently gone to Washington. Joined the Sec
retary in support of the Administrators anti
silver policy. Breckenridge, McCreary, Berry
Asher G. Caruth and others in the House of Rep
resentatives likewise threw Beck overheard and
hurried to comply with the Presidents demand
that they should vote for the repeal of the sill
ver-purchasing clauses Of the so-called Sher-
man act. Blackburn alone held out against the
solicitations of the Administration. ard. after a
months hesitation. decided to stand by the
imitation traditions handed down from Beck
Carlisle end the Administration won. The vote
for Congressman in 1894 showed the State about
evenly balanced between the two parties on
this latter issue.
HARDINS CANVASS IN 1926
The quarrel between the free coinage and
Administration factions having broken out
afresh at the short session of the LID Con-
gress, Kentucky selected in 1895 by Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle as the
crucial Democratic State in which 10 win n
much-needed Endorsement for the Admnistra-
4 dat
ernor was TO be nominated. and the fight 10 con-
troll the State Convention practically involved
the control also OF the Kentucky delegation TO
the approaching Democratic National Conven-
ton. The forces which followed Mr.. Carlisle.
the Federal ofiiceholders in the State and tn,
great mass Of the professional politicians
turned in to work primarily FOR an indorsc-
ment Of the Administrations financial pro-
gramme. and, seCondarily for the nomination
Of sound-money candidate for the Governor
ship. After a hot struggle they carried the
State Convention. and forced the adoption Of a
vote OF confidence in Nr. Cleveland and Mr..
Carlisle: but they weakly allowed the fruits Of
victory to slip through their hands by con
senting to the nomination for Governor OF
one OF the leaders of the defeated f4e-conagc
faction.
+. Wat Hardin. a lieutenant of Blackburn.
chosen to head the State ticket, under no
pledge but that Of natural good taste and gen
eral decorum TO accept az binding the financial
declarations Of the col VcntiOn Blackburn. his
political chieftain, chaiing under an unexpected
defeat. was not long in announcing that he
a
local canvass for reelection to the United States
Senate Hardin waited two months and then. in
his first public speech. made in this city, pro-
claimed grandiloquently that he was still an adj
vocate of free silver coinage. and would not
surrender his convictions for a crown" =.
Wat Hardin Is also an orator. and has long
been familiar with the rhetorical uses Of crosses
and crowns
The Democratic State Committee held a meet
ing TO consider the proprety Of forcing Hardin
off the ticket. But the necessary courage TO
push the issue lacking and the amazing
spectacle was soon presented OF a candidate
for Governor making his canvass for election
on a platform Numerically opposed to that
chosen by the State Convention for him to
stand
A bolt from Hardin on the part OF the more
radical Sound Money Democrats necessarily
followed. Headed by John NJ. Anterior. and
Boyd Winchester, OF this city. Judge j. q.
Ward. Of Paris. and a number Of other leaders
OF eminent standing and responsibility. the
anti-Hardn Democrats organized openly In sup
port Of General William O. Bradley. the Re
publican nominee. THE Louisville Post" a
Democratic evening newspaper here. bitterly at
tackled Hardin. while The COurier-Journar
gave his canvass only half-hearted and per-
functory recognition. Carlisle Lindsay. Buck
ner and the other sound-money managers con-
tinued to support the Democratic nominee; but
so bitter the sentiment aroused within the
party ranks by his effrontery and treachery that
his defeat became inevitable He was beaten by
General Bradley-cn the fullest poll the State
has known-by S912 votes
Hardin's defeat split the party wide open
throughout the State Legislature had been
chosen which stood tie between The Republ-
cans and Democrats, two Populist members
holding the balance OF power. Blackburn got
the nomination for Senator in party caucus,
but the Sound Money Democrats in the Legis
laturc would not vote for him. and although he
finally got the aid OF the Popusts. he could
never quite secure the prize The session ended
I'm deadlock after several members had died
and others had been unseated in both branches
by a system OF party reprisals. THE Courier
Journal had come out openly against Black
burn and had defended the course of the Sound
Money Democrats, who bolted the legislative
caucus which renominated the free silver cham
pion.
Natural bitterness al the defeat Of Hardin
and Blackburn, coupled with the growing I'M
popularity of the Cleveland Administration put
a nnmQcrafg a lraar l1.d Il c-