Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-24
WILLIAM G. WHITNEY
h Is IntervleEed on the Subject Of
the Hours Issues.
The New Yorker Think. Events and
the Course of the Republicans
Make II NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of
Free-siiver Movement.

NEW YORK, July 2s.-Mr. william c.
Whitney, IN an interview with a reporter
scs he southern Associated Press to-day.
was asked n In his Judgment there would
ps 8 third ticket nominated by the sound
aaostx Democrats. He replied; Il think
events and the course OF the Republicans
are making II inevitable"
The general situation" he continued,
'is far worse to-day. in my opinion. than
II was ten days ago. The Republican
managers and candidates have shown no
realization Of the real situation. They
have failed Of e great opportunity OF bene-
ftins the country. II the present condi-
ticn Of affairs continues for any length
OF time. sound-money Democrats are
bound to organize. and It cannot be pre-
vented The truth Is. there does not seem
10 be In the East a realizing sense of
the seriousness and extent Of the free-sIl-
Yer movement. 1t is the result of reading
and agitation. l think IL may be accepted
as fact that the vast majority Of free
silver believers at this time are not open
10 conviction.
II was satisfied before we went to Chi
cago that nothing could be accomplished
81 the direction OF changing or modifying
the free-silver idea, and l said so. Never
fheless, II was our duty to go there ana
emphasize the strength OF the conviction
of the Eastern Democrats, and, further
10 AFFORD the country an object4esson
showing so plainly that II could not be
misunderstood the nn-Democratic ana
revolutionary spirit which dominated the
movement In this we were successful
The Democratic mask was pretty ef-
fectuaily removed from the face OF the
Populism. which had forced itself Tor the
time being into position OF controi.
ssyyhat should have been the next step
in the fight for the preservation OF ma
tional honor and sound finance? we nad
suddenly come upon new and very
great crisis: one that called for the think
Ing Of parsisanship. and the union OF
sound-money men 10 rescue this country
from disaster. Hundreds OF thousands OF
Democrats stood ready TO declare tnem-
selves upon that issue. and were reaoy 10
subordinate everything. even 20 Young ior
the Republican candidate.
DUTY OF THE HOUR.
"what was the duty of the hourT
Clearly, II was one that devoived upon
the Republican party and It's candioa,es.
srhere should have been an immediate
Republicans should have been the nrst
10 welcome sound-money Democrats 10
a non-partisan union. subordinating all
other things TO this question or nationai
honor. va-
.yvhat has been the course OF the Ike
publican leaders and the hepuoncan
press? They have insisted upon pueuns
the free-silver enthusiasts and the SCUM
money Democrats into one class ana ue-
,orrcing ALI together under the name OF
the national Democracy. They Jeer az
democracy. and yet admit that the DOUBT
fui States are those where Repnpncanistu
has been dominant for thirty years. II
they continue In this line the sound
money Democrats will nominate tn'ru
ticket 70 save the vote from drifting oach
to the Chicago ticket $500.
saThe Repub,icans will need liz NoVeW-
her ALI the aid they can obtain from
sound-r,oney Democrats. II they thlnk
thew can hold their natural strength
through the Middle, West. or even III
some part of the East. by the single
tendency TO party allegiance they are mis-
taken IT Is evident that the free-shVer
vote Is TO be united IL should De OPP
posed by solid and united sounu,moi'.s
vote. II never can be II. In addition TO
Mckinley. Democrats must vote for NC
rin,eyism and all that II represents me
issues of the past should be buried untli
the country has been rescued by patrlotc
action from it's present peril
ut ought to be plain 10 all thoughtiu'
and patriotic Republicans that the time
has come when II is absolutely necessary
for all good citizens TO drop for the time
being partisanship and work together
earnestly and intellgently for the COM
mon good. To triie with crisis so Sc
rious as this. or 70 attempt 10 ignore or
belittls n. would be both bluncer ana
n crime But one fact is certain-the
present responsibility for meeting this
situation rests upon the Republican can
didates and leaders. and II they are 70
act intelligently and periodically there is
no time TO lose"