New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-25
MR. VHITvEY'S MISTAKE.

une speaking for the Republican party prof
fered to Democrats. who by the action OF their
party at Chicago were left without principle
TO stand upon, candidate to vote for, or
home to go to, n cordial and even effu-
sive welcome if they should come to the sup
port Of Mckinley promising that the way
should be made smooth for them by abstentlon
so far as possible from narrowing and offensive
illusions to past differences, it meant just that
and no more. 1t did not mean that the Repub
lican party was so hard pushed for votes that
it was ready to abandon, or even hold in abey-
ance its distinctive principles, simply to gain
the support of Democrats, even though they
came in large numbers, who had no candidate
and no political home To Mr. Theodore Bacon,
Of Rochester, who somewhat ungraciously ana
quite unnecessarily connected with the puDllca-
ion of his purpose TO vote for Mckinney inc
natement that he did so with repuGnance ana
Adding his nose, The Tribune suggested, while
welcoming his vote. that since he was delb
eratey insulting hundreds of thousands OF hon
est and reputable citizens by his sheer he would
have done better 10 hold his tongue than his
nose The Republican party does not need
votes so badly as TO reach out for them at the
sacrifice Of the self-respect and personal pride
OF the great body Of citizens who compose It,
And now Mr.. Whitney comes forward with
a statement implying that he and other Sound
Money Democrats are prevented from support
ing the only Sound Money candidate In the field,
and the only one who under any circumstances
has the slightest chance Of success, by the
action of "Republlcan managers and candi-
dates" who "have shown no realizing sense OF
the situation" He sets forth at great length
the dangers Of the free-silver craze, and dwclls
UPON the Indications of its spread and its preva-
lence throughout the country. Then he COM
plains that the Republican leaders and the Re
publican press "have insisted upon putting the
"free-silver enthusiasts and the Sound Money
Democrats into one class and dcnounclng all
together under the name of National Dem0c-
"racy" AS matter Of fact. Mr.. Whitney must
know that they have done no such thing lie
is seeking for excuses He complains further
that "Afr Mckinley continues to discuss the
tariff which has ceased to be nm actual issue
"ln this campaign as completely as slavery.
And there, presume. Is where the pinch
comes Not that Mckinley does continue TO
discuss the tariff" for he certainly has avoided
giving offence on that point but that he con-
tnues to believe in the principle Of Protection.
and what Mr. Whitney and those for whom he
speaks desire is that as n consideration for the
votes they are willing to give him on the Sound
Money question he should yield his convictions
upon the tariff as Of minor and inconsiderable
importance. The Tribune cOnfesses to fond
ness for Mr. Whitney. He is far above the
average of Democratic politicians or statesmen.
But he has his limitations. And one Of them
Is his Notwithstanding to bigOtry-tO the
name and the traditions Of the Democratic
party. Finding himself without party or
platform or a candidate. he feels drawn to the
support of the candidate who most nearly
represents his political convictions, but hest
tates and makes excuses.
He should remember that Mr. Mckinley Is
the Republican candidate for President for the
reason chiefly, if not solely, that in the view Of
the vast majority of Republican voters he stood
distinctvely and Enthusiastically for the tariff
idea-the doctrine of Protection. He should re-
member well that. so far as the financial and
business conditions Of the country and the Fed
era revenues are concerned, il has been the
main contention Of the party which nominated
Mckinley that the tariff was really the most
important factor And also that the Demo
cratic party, torn and distracted as ii has been.
has as strenuously contendod that the business
tariff but to uncertainty on the money ques-
ton. That has been the line Of division Does
Mr.. Whitney really think that the Republican
party, its candidates and its managers should
surrender their position on this question in
der to make it pleasant and agreeable for Dem
Ocrats who, having nowhere else to go. desire
to act with them? The mistake these gentle
men make certainly seems TO be In assuming
ioIft
welcomed to the support of Mckinley that the
Republican party has surrendered 10 them. 1t
has not by any means. The Republican party
stands now, as It always has stood. for both
Protection and Sound Money. 1t welcomes no
less the financial hereto who believes in Pro
lection than the Free Trader who believes in
Sound Money. But IT has a clearly defined and
positive creed on both questions, and makes no
surrender compromise on either
Another thing-and suggest 1t with dis
claimer of anything intended TO give offence
has Mr.. Whitney stopped to consider that his
tory is repeating itself once more? That he and
other leaders Of the Democratic party are doing
now precisely what some Democrats did at the
beginning Of the War, when they excused them
selves for not coming out in support of the Gov
eminent because the Republicans had exas-
perated Southern Democrats by their unwilling
ness to make the simple concession that slavery
should be permitted In the Territories? All that
Mr.. Whitney's party asked in 1861 was that
Republicans should abandon distinctive prin-
ciple That IS all they ask now. Republicans
did not do 1t then. They Will not now. The
Mckinley army welcomes recruits. but 1t Is not
turning its back upon itself to enlist brlgadler.
generals