The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-05
ANOTHER DUTY,


Chicago to fight there for the issue Of
honest money, the perpetuation Of
Democratic traditions, and, as we be-
lieve, the salvation Of the party itself
from disruption and disappearance,
owe a duty to the masses Of that party
who feel as they do which they have
not yet signified their readiness to per-
form. They recognize that a crisis is
upon us. That could hardly have been
stated in more positive or menacing
language than was used by Mr. Whit
ney when he compared the present sit
uation to that of 1850; an analogy
whose force has been recognized in it's
instant adoption by the members in all
parts of the country. If this crisis can
not be avoided, if the time for conces-
sion and compromise has passed, if the
Democratic party is to be divided into
two camps, holding opinions so di-
vergent as to be irreconcilable,
then it is right that for each of
them there should be standard
gather for the last valiant assault and
defense. Thus far the advocates of
the existing monetary standard have
certainly lacked boldness and determi-
nation. The thing about the free silver
army which commands our admiratio
is its absolute fearlessness. The men
who lead it have staked all gladly upon
the cast of a die. They did not walt
to see how matters would turn out at
Chicago. They were just as earnest,
just as active, just as ready to sur
render everything for their convictions
when they believed they were going to
end in hopeless minority as they are
today, when the control of the situa-
ton is surely in their hands. They an
nounced at that time that the faith
which they held was stronger than
party ties and that they proposed to
abide by it, if necessary, at the cost
of separate organization and political
action.
What thus far, have the gold Demo-
Gratis done? Very little, apparently,
except to deplore possibility that has
grown almost to a certainty, solely by
their neglect Had they, in all the
states, shown anything like the activ-
ity and willingness to organize and to
work that has characterized the free
silver movement, the situation at Chi
cago today would be exactly reversed.
Even now, when the crisis is at hand,
their voice comes to the country with
an uncertain sound. What do they
which they shall render to millions of
Democrats the country over who de-
mand Only a chance to abide, in victory
or defeat,by sound, old-fashioned Demo-
cratic principles? So far, their answer
is an ominous silence. Col. Fellows,
indeed, has spoken, but only as an in
{iiyiduai whose convictions are too
deep for remuneration. He is one mar
on that side who does not fear to sac
rifice.3 a possible political future for con-
science sake. From the others we have
so. FAR had no sign. A few of them
have gone so far as to say that they
Will submit to whatever may happen,
and trust to the overwhelming defeat
back wisdom and restore Democracy
to its ancient faith:
What kind of policy is this? Where
does it leave the great body of the
party, outside of a few states in the
farther West and South. at this cleo
ion? Mr.. ]. Sterling Morton has stated
the dilemma exactly. Suppose that the
free silver men carry out their pro.
gramme at Chicago, as they undoubt-
edly will, though ten thousand devils
stood In the path. and suppose the
other faction of the party, claiming tt
hold it's convictions by an equally
strong tenure, does nothing. What
then, is the choice offered to the SOUND
money Democrats of this country, whc
are,Me believe, not less than two-third:
OF its total membership? They can sup
port 1dr. Mckinley, VINO stands for ev
erything that Democrats have learned
to abher, and have fought against evel
since they were old enough to TAX,
part in politics. and who is himself O
more than doubtful soundnesE OBJ tn,
nn&ncials question. Or they can, sup
pert tho ominee OF Denaocratic-Pop
ulist tfrat ton. whose views on tar
If arefSf1l aud every other great prin
TatzzsSsa So
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