St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-28
WORTHY OF DEMOCRACY.

The declaration Of Mr.. William e.
Russell with reference to his suggested
candidacy for the presidential nomina-
tlon Is worthy Of the man and Of the
party that he represents. The ground
taken by Mr.. Russell is almost identi-
cal with that occupied by Mr.. Car
Isle. Both assert that all personal con-
siderations ought to give way this year
to the imperative necessity of placing
the Democratic party in the right posi-
ton on the financial question. The
first desideratum is not the nomina-
ton of this or that man, but such a
financial plank in the Chicago plat
form as will prevent the Democratic
party from becoming a prey to dis
organization and ruin.
AS the Clio b e has said before,
and as Mr.. Carlisle and Mr. Rus
sell emphasize and affirm, this is
not question Of victory or de-
feat, but Of life or death. The cur
rency question Is absolutely, totally
and forever settled at this moment, as
far as the free coinage Of silver is con-
cerned. The American people have
studied this question, read about it,
and listened to debates upon 1t for the
last five years and more. and have
made up their minds. Public opinion
has found expression everywhere in
such definite and unmistakable shape
that he who runs may read. What
ever may be a mans views about the
wisdom of the free coinage Of silver, he
cannot fail to admit, if he be both
honest and careful in his observation.
that the issue has been taken out Of
politics, practically, because the minds
of the people have been made up. There
Is no more chance Of the success of
any party on the free silver platform
In this country today and from this
time on than there is for one adopting
as it's cardinal principles the restora-
ton Of negro slavery, or the recogni-
ton of the right Of a state to secede
from the Union.
This being the case, the defeat of
the free silver advocates becomes vital
from two points Of view. It is neces.
sary in the first place because their
success would give no hope Of a DEM
ocratic victory at the polls. It is nee
essary in the second place because
the perpetuation Of this issue in pol
ftics means simply the dissolution of
the Democratic party into it's elements
and their reorganization through years
Of painful modification, and those
dismal solaces that are a last resort
Of minority. Therefore, clear-sighted
and far-sighted Democrats see that
the financial issue ought to be put out
Of the way and behind us first of all.
The selection Of a candidate can come
later. This is the spirit of true De-
mocracy in which we have heard from
two men, either Of whom Is worthy Of
any honor that the Democratic party
has to bestow. The nomination Of
either John G. Carlisle or William E.
Russell would put the Democratic par
ty before the voters Of this country in
its most commanding and honorable
aspect. They themselves place their
personal ambitions second to the ex-
istence Of their party which they feel
to be at stake. While there are such
Democrats as these to lead and to point
the way, men may we'll be proud Of
their relation to Democracy There is
no higher or firmer allegiance to prin-
ciple than that which these men rep
resent. All honor to them, and may
the party not show itself insensib1e to
their self-sacrifice and devotion to
principle.