River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-07-02
FEARS PARTY DISRUPTION.
Gold Democrats Admit Probable Defeat
by silver Men

Gold Democrats Admit "a PIobaDae Dcieat
by silver Men
New York, June 29.-Wlliam G. Whit
ney has served notice1bn the silver
democrats that the sound money men
would not support free coinage ma
tional platform or silver nominees for
president and vice president. lie prac-
tically has said farewell TO tie party
for the time being. He acknowledges
that the reins of power in the coming
convention at Chicago will be held by
the advocates of free coinage, and in so
doing says their victory will mean the
practical disruption of the party.
This declaration, taken in connection
with Mr.. Whitney's signed statement
issued Sunday, June 81, makes interest
ing reading. In his pronunciamento,
while practically admitting defeat for
sound money at Chicago, he strongly
urged compromise on the financial
question. He declares now in so many
words that compromise is impossible"
In making this latter statement he tells
the silver democrats from the south
and west that IL they would preserve
party organization surrender is open to
them. but unless they yield the time for
the parting of the ways has come.
This declaration is viewed by poll
ticians as the undoubted result of the
conference held Friday night by Mr..
Whitney with Senator Hill and other
democratic leaders of the eastern sound
money faction. The situation, it is
known, was thoroughly reviewed then.
Ii was acknowledged by all that silver
would rule at Chicago. The possibility
of the unseating of enough sound
money delegates to give the requisite
two-thirds majority for free coinage
was considered. The apparent certainty
that if this is not done the two-thirds
rule would be revoked and republican
procedure on nomination followed was
conceded. The upshot of all this, ii is
held, was that Mr.. Whitney, who for
months past has been recognized as the
spokesman for the gold standard ring
of the party, was authorized TO issue
words of both warning and defiance.
An interview Saturday with Mr.
Whitney resulted as follows:
What are the chances of sound money
in Chicago?"
Unless the situation changes and our
southern and western friends are disposed
to reason with us no chance whatever"
what do you hear from the south and
west?"
"Judging by the letters receive there is
no apparent disposition to discuss the mat
ter at issue. ! fear It has gone beyond that
point"
"Have you asked Senators German and
Brice to attend the convention as party
duty?"
NO: they have no reason to believe they
could accomplish anything. None of us
has"
"lf free coinage candidate is nomi-
mated on free coinage platform what will
he the result?"
Practically II will disrupt the democratic
party. No power on earth can coerce or
persuade sound money democrats to for
sake the fundamental principle of democ-
racy. They do not regard this question as
either fractional, sectional or political The
maintenance of the national credit is
matter of national honor. The Saratoga
platform emphasizes this fact. Ii says that
the rigid maintenance OF the present gold
standard at the present time Is essential
to the preservation OF our national credit,
the redemption of our public pledges and
the keeping inviolate of country's
honor That is New Yorks position. 1t
is as positive as words can express. and
II cannot be changed"
Then you do not look for a compro-
mse?"
Compromise is impossible. Debasement
of the currency would b. more than mon
strous In effect. 1t would he abandonment
of principle. II would disgrace every citi-
zen. II would be not merely dishonest, IL
would be dishonorable. And you cannot
compromise a question of honor
what do you expect TO do in Chicago7"
do everything I'm our power to save the
party and protect the country. That Is the
plain duty of every democrat who goes to
Chicago and II is none the less the duty of
those who stay at home not to hamper the
efforts of those who go. BY those who stay
at home / mean not merely democrats, /
mean to include every good citven regard
less of party or prejudices The crisis which
has come upon us Is the most serious mem
ace to national prosperity and the well
fare Of the people since 1860. This is time
when all men who love their country must
stand together TO avert, II possible, pub
lie disgrace and the wreck of hundreds
of thousands of homes throughout the en-
tire country"
'You do not despair of success. them"
mo. We cannot tell whether the knowl
edge of the attitude OF eastern democrats
will affect The determination of the south
ern and western democrats who have not
known until the past week how strong the
feeling here Is The vigorous expression of
our position may cause hesitation. especial
IN among the rank and file OF the democ-
racy who / cannot believe want to drive
all eastern democrats out of the party. /
know some of the leaders of the movement
assume that attitude, and l am not yet
convinced that the people are behind them.
And If not they Will make their wishes
IglN