Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-24

A DESPERATE CAUSE.
That the free silver cause has reached
the point OF desperation Is manifest
The course Of It's radical supporters al
most everywhere shows that realizing
the certainty of their overwhelming de-
feat, they arc prepared to justify every
charge Of revolutionary and anarchistic
intent that has been made against them
In their fnnatical devotion to the silver
hcresy they long ago refused TO listen
to reason or TO regard facts. All argu-
ment and all experience they rejected as
worthless. But they have got beyond
this and are cndeavoring to throttle free
speech, thus exhibiting to the Ameri-
can people their true character as a
violent, reckless and disturbing element
The treatment Of Secretary Carlisle at
Covington Ky, is but one of numerous
instances showing the intolerant spirit
of the free silver supporters. John G.
Carlisle is one of the ablest men In pub
lie life. He takes rank among the most
distinguished statesmen Kentucky has
produced. He occupies an eminent posi-
tion in the national administration. The
opinions of such man on great public
question are entitled to respectful con
sideration anywhere and everywhere.
1t was to have been expected that they
would certainly receive such considcra-
ton In Kentucky. which has been hon
orcd by his public services. But Mr..
Carlisle was subjected to the most dis
graceful insults at Covngton. Not con-
tent with disturbing the meeting he was
addressing by boistcrous dcmonstra-
tions, the silverites hurled eggs about the
hall and on the platform. Whether any
Of these missiles were thrown at the
distinguished speaker does not appear,
but none the less the outrage was a
dastardly one. Apprehending personal
assault on Secretary Carlisle, his friends
deemed 1t cXpedient to provide an escort
for him to his stopping place. If free
silver was not already doomed in Ken
lucky this incident has killed 1t, for 1t
cannot be doubted that there are thou
sands OF reputable democrats in the
state who will resent this insult to its
most eminent citizen.
Other evidences of the intolerance
and the desperation of the advocates
of currency debasement and repudla-
ton have recently been furnished in
Ohio. Indiana. Illinois and elsewhere,
all showing that they realize the hope
| lessness of their cause. Beaten at
every point in the argument, the falla-
cies of free silver exposed, even the
| markets demonstrating the absurdity
of the silverite claims, 1t would seem
| that the party of reputation had de-
| termincd to give little attention to dis,
cussion in the closing days of the cam
| paign and employ itself with such
reckless and violent tactics rs may in
timidate sound money voters and at
tract TO itself that element which Is
susceptible to buster and brT. But
the cause will not be helped by such
demonstrations. Rather will it drive
from its support men who believe in
free speech and fair play.
Contemplation of the possibility of
such an element as Is the chief sup
port of the Chicago ticket obtaining
control of the government is well cal
culated to foster distrust and appre-
| hension. 1t is freely admitted that
there are many intelligent men and
good citizens in favor of free silver,
! but large numbers who are supporting
that cause have little regard for law
and order and the leaders do not dis
courage their violent spirit. Free sill
yer, however, will he defeated. That
Is assured. The present ebullitions of
passion and hatred on the part of its
| supporters can. therefore, be regarded
with complacency, especially as the
| effect will be to make its defeat more
| decisive and overwhelming.