The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-29
What FREE SILVER MEANS.
lis Adoption Will DIsintsgrale lae DEM
OcratIC Party.
GISPASSlONATE DISCUSSION,
itMade tho Issue win Alternate From the
Party That Element (Which Opposes
RepudiatioD and Believes In
NATIONAL Integrity.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. May 2S.-Spe.
ciaL--Ihe Destroying effect upon tho
Democratic, party which the adoption OF
free-sil'er platform at Chicago is Ger.
tain to have is shown by the statement
Of rnember OF the House made TO tho
representative OF The Times to-day The
gentleman in question Is a thorough Demo-
crat. lie occupies prominent position
In the House and Is SO popular with his
constituents that he would only have
TO announce himself as a candidate Tor
reelection IN order TO secure both re
nomination and reelection.
Speaking however, OF the Democratic
situation. he said:
while L would like 10 continue in
Congress FOR at least another term. do
not see how l can possibly be "A candi-
date for reelection II the convention de-
clares for free silver.
A CALAMITY
Il have always opposed the silver craze
becaylse / believe free coinage would
be calamity almost as far-reachins
and disastrous IL. its effects as the civil
wear.
Il could not possibly endorse the plat
form OF the party II the silver men should
ana en- hcrest man, how ! can present
nyseir as a Democratic candidate for
congress II II Is known that | am bitterly
opposed 10 the party platform
Il would be compelled, in the cam
psign. TO join my Republican opponent.
whoever he may be. in denouncing the
cheap money plank OF the platform. and
would probably do more with my speeches
10 elect him than TO elect myself. l shall
r'gret exceedingly being forced TO re-
tire IRON public life by the action of
my own parry. but can see no other
course open 10 me II the silver men con-
troll at Chicago.
ANXIOUS ATTITUDE.
Il am watching the progress Of events
with Considerable anxiety ard 1 am ap-
preheI sye that silver platform will 10
adopted.
Ih ere are a great many other men
VINO VIII hnd themselves situated as /
am, and while many OF them will doubt
isA's stand for reelection, hoping to DO
a.tie in the campaign TO ignore the money
question, 80 as 10 retain their allegiance
10 party and their convictions at tho
same time, they will find themselves
compelled TO abandon one or the other
before the campaign closes"
Il am thorough Democrat" the gem
tleman continued. "and view the situation
WIN ti' Athio II StffOW and regret, Dut
l am convinced that the adoption OF 4
ffee-conage platform will mean the COM
plete disintegration II the Democratic
party, and the substitution Of a silver
party. that VIII command the support
OF the silver men Of the country only
ana VIII nave nothing I'm common with
the principles OF Democracy which | was
taught TO believe In and which have up
held ever since l was old enough to
understand them"
a CALM VIEW.
rms IS dispass0nate discussion OF
the sltpouOn as il exists, and tho posi-
ton f.ssumed by this member OF the
house will be takel by many others
fiee silver II made the issue OF tho
ca.mpaign by the Democratic Convention,
AFiil alienate from the party all that ele-
inent which oppose reputation and be-
lieNe In national integrity
There are many prominent Democrats
like Ex-Governor Campbell, OF Ohio: w.
H. Morrison, Representatives Ellett, and
cthers. who Will support even a silver
Demccictic platform Ia preference 10 =
4 IN protection Republican candidate.
Dut these gentlemen Will not be able To
control their sound-mOney constituents.
nor VIII they be able to render effective
service TO a party whose madness regard
ing currency legislation they heartily
dcplCre.