New-York tribune., 1896-07-24
BLAMING THE REPUBLICANS.
MR.. WHITNEY SAYS THEY MUST BE MORE
CONCILIATORY
he DECLARES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING
TARIFF TOO MUCH AND CALLING ALL DEMO-
Gratis HARD NAMES AND THAT THIS

TARIFF TOO MUCH AND CALLING ALI. DEMO-
Gratis HARD NAMES. AND THAT THIS
MUST CEASE OR ELSE THERE WILL
BE THIRD TICKET SURE.
William c. Whitney. in an interview yesterday.
was asked II. in his judgment. there would be a
third ticket nominated by the sound-money Dem
ocrats. He replied:
Il think events and the course OF the Repub-
lican leaders are making it inevitable The gen.
eral situation" he continued. lis far worse to-
day. In my opinion. than 1t was ten days ago.
The Republican managers and candidates have
shown no realizing sense OF the situation. They
have failed to avail themselves OF a great oppor-
tunity for benefitng the country. II the present
condition Of affairs continues for any length Of
time sound-money Democrats are bound to or
ganize, and it cannot BE- prevented The truth
is there does not seem to ne In the East a
realizing sense Of the seriousness and sincerity
Of the free-silver movement. You may call 1t
craze. but 1t has captured the imaginations
OF the great mass Of people throughout the en-
tire West and South. and IT has a much stronger
following in some portions Of the Eas. not
closely allied to large commercial centres than
is generally supposed 1t is the result Of reading
and agitation. II has become fixed opinion
and an unreasoning one. I think 1t may he ac-
cepted a fact that the vast majority Of free
silver believers at this time are not open con-
vction. Their minds made up and they are
quite as little inclined to reason upon the sub
Ject the delegates whom they sent to
Chicago.
WHY THEY WENT TO CHICAGO.
Il was satisfied before we went TO Chicago
that nothing could be accomplished in the drec-
tion of changing or modifying the free-siver
idea. and ! said Nevertheless it our
duty 10 go there and emphasize the strength Of
the convictions Of the Eastern Democrats. and
further. to afford the country ar object lesson
showing so plainly that it could not be msun-
derstOod the undemocratic revolutionary spirit
which dominated the movement. In this we
successful The Democratic mask
pretty effectually removed from the face Of the
Popusm which had forced itself for the time
icing into a position Of control That all
that the sound-money Democrats could hope
to accomplish and that they id effectually and
unsefshly.
There never has been in any party conven-
ton such a vigorous declaration Of independence
as was exhibited at Chicago when 254 dele
gates refused TO participate in the selection of
candidates.
What should have been the next step in the
light for the preservation OF National honor and
sound finance? We had suddenly come upon
new and very great crisis. that called for
the sinking Of partisanship and the union Of
sound-money to rescue the country from
disaster. Hundreds OF thousands OF Democrats
stood ready to declare themselves upon that
issue and were ready to subordinate everything.
even to voting for the Republican candidate.
What the duty oe the hour7 Clearly It
one that devoived upon the Republican party
and it's candidates There should have been
immediate recognition Of new situation. and
the Republicans should have been the first to
welcome sound-money Democrats TO a non-parti-
san union. subordinating all other things to this
question of National honor.
SUPREME ISSUE
ut was a new issue. 1t dwarfed all others
An opportunity was offered to fight for the es-
tabshed Institutions Of the country. the funda-
mental things that undere party differences
law and order National honor. common hon.
esty the integrity of the courts-all such things.
without which DO not exist a Nation at
all. single glimpse at the Chicago platform
and at the spectacle OF one-thrd OF the Demo-
cratic party in open revolt should have been
enough 10 have shown them instantly the ne
ceSSty
partisan lines No greater opportunity for pa
triOtic action was ever offered party. and II
has all been thrown away.
What has been the course OF the Republican
leaders and the Republican press? They have
insisted upon putting the free-silver enthusiasts
and the sound-money Democrats into class
and denouncng all together under the name Of
National Democracy. Mr.. Mckinley continues
IN he yyh ed 10 he N
actual ssu= in this campaign completely as
slavery and the Republican press and leaders
persist in deriding all Democrats en- masse.
They teer at Democracy. and yet admit that the
doubtful States are those where Repubcanism
has been dominant Tor thirty years. Such
policy persisted in have but one effect. II
will the innate party loyalty Of patriotic
Democrats; it will make them angry and will
result IN drawing sharp party lines. 1t is dif
fcult enough for a Democrat TO contemplate the
possibility OF voting for Mckinley. or to look |
upon him as the leader Of Try great cause, and
he present cours- Of the Republicans is tend |
ng 10 make IT impossible. II they continue In |
his line thing will certainly happen-the |
sound-money Democrats will nominate a third |
ticket and thus divide the sOund-money vote |
N the great battle-ground Of the middle West J
10 save the vote from drifting back to the Chi |
,ago ticket.
THE Republicans will need in November all |
he aid they can obtain from sound-money |
Democrats II they think they can hold their |
natural strength through the middle West or
wen in some parts or lne East Dl tne slHeie |
endency to party allegiance. they are mistaken. /
4 free-silver enthusiasm has obtained a hold |
mon Penublicans throughout the West and /
arning communities Of the East quite strong |
&c upon Democrats. and they cannot he diverted |
rom their purpose by either appeals to party
oyalty or discussion Of dead issue.
STRENGTH IN UNION
"It is evident that the free-sver vote Is to
,e united They are only differing at St Louis
&c 10 whether they shall unite candidates
.ow. or with different candidates divide up the
electors by States In either case the vote will
% united on election day. 1t should be opposed
-, solid and united sound-mOney vote. II
,ever can be IT, in addition to Mckinley. Demo-
rats must vote for Mckinleyism and all that
represents. The Issue OF the past should be
,urisd until the country has been rescued by