Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-13
A Plain DutY.

The paramount question of the hour re-
lates to the future action of the sound
money democrats who have rejected the
work OF the Chicago convention. They are
men of purpose and conviction, and they
hope TO see Mr.. Bryan defeated at the polls.
They are now discussing the best means
of contributing to that end. Shall they put
up a ticket of their own and poll as many
votes as possible for it? Or shall they go
over promptly and openly to the support
of Mr.. Mckinley and help swell the
stra1ghtout support OF the republican
ticket?
Many of these men are advocates of a
low tariff They are on record both by
Vote and speech against protection and
especially as illustrated by Mr.. Mckinley's
Interpretation of that policy. This is caus-
ing them to hesitate now about their duty
Mr. McKinley's money views as expressed
In his Canton speeches in the fullest
measure satisfactory to them. They can
hope to put up no man of their own sound
or on that score than he is. But they COM
plain that ne will persist in Juggling in
the tariff He insists on keeping that ques-
ton a COOL deal to the fore. They want
him 10 drop the tariff for the time being:
and some of them believe that If he will,
and lay stress alone on the money ques-
ton, he Will clear the way for the ultimate
concentration of the whole sound-money
contingent in his favor.
This condition does not bear the test of
a thorough examination. Mr. Mckinley. if
he were disposed, could not win this
hght b. any foxy shifts, or silences or
eva,ions- He shows no signs of desire
or intention to adopt any such expedientS
The issues are fairly Joined, and he is meet
il g them fairly and squarely. He is for
sound money. and says so. He has not
changed his views about protection, and
says so. He does not attempt to outline a
new tariff bill. the platform specifically dis
Claims committaI to any particular sched-
uies. as, for instance. those of the Mckin-
ley act, but he believes that a new tariff
law should be drawn. to take the place of
the deficiency and distress creating Wilson
act. and if elected President he will, of
course, assist in the enactment of such a
measure. The necessary revenue will be
secured through a Ieverue-producing and
protective tariff and not through an income
tax
Sound money democrats will perceive
that Mr.. Mckinley could not afford to
abandon his tariff views If he would, and
the character of the man is full assurance
that he would rot if he could. AT the same
time ne is the only hope of the sound
money cause. If free silver is to be defeat
J at the polls 1t must be by the election
Of the republican ticket. Men who refuse
to vote for him for any reason or who vote
for a third candidate, will contribute indi-
rectly to the cause of silver. If they should
be numerous they might be indirectly the
me ans of bringing about the success of sill
YER at the polls.
Will the souEd-moRey democrats meet the
situation the free-silver republicans are
doing? Fir. Teller is protectionst, while
Mr.. Bryan is a low-tariff man. But the
Colorado Senator makes no mention of the
fact in his expressions about the Chicago
nominee. He considers alone the fact that
AIr Bryan is for free silver. and this morn
inS's dispatches from Denver convey the
Intelligence that he will support the Chi
cago ticket. Shall the tariff. which shows
no dividing power in the silver camp, prove
the source of division and weakness in the
sound-mo1ey camp? The sound-money men
must get together If they are to win this
fight.