New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-21
SENATOR CHANDLER AND THE PARTY.

SENATOR CHANDLER AND THE PARTY.
| Senator Chandler. Of NewHampshire often
derives Measure from his disposition and ability
70 express the views of a minority of his party
An manner calculated to excite the indignation
Of the majority. But his indulgence IN this
pnstlme does little or no harm, for the indig-
nation Is always short-lived. The country has
learned that the minority is not increased by
the process ne employs, whereas some add
tional light is likely to be thrown upon tenden-
cles which It is well to understand IN order that
they may be counteracted. In his latest letter
to THE Washington Post" which shows no loss
Of tartness, the Senator not only attacks the
Secretary Of the Treasury with bis customary
vlgor, but plainly ntimatcs that be Is prepared
TO take fall out OF the President Of the United
States The Senator Is convinced that If moth
ing is said or done at this session with refer
euce to the currency Congress Will behave IT.
self and peacefully adjourn In May. But If the
Secretary continues to press his bill. thereby
throwing doubts upon the Presidents sincerity,
there will be an uproar, business Will go 10 the
dogs, the Republican party will lose the Con
gress!onal elections next year and the Bryan
Democracy Will win hands down in 1900. There
are times for all things" says Senator Chand-
Ter: there IS a time to move and time to
keep still, and now is the time to so keep"
If the Senator had kept still he would have
been more consistent. but we are not sorry that
this did not occur to him. His neglect TO follow
his own advice affords an opportunity for re-
minding him that the Republican party never
gained anything worth having by refusing, or
even emitting. TO declare its principles and
strive for their enforcement. 1t Enthusiastically
stands now, as It stood last year, for the gold
standard, and It rejoices to see the President
whom 1t then elected endeavoring 10 procure
from Congress the passage Of a simple and
practical measure to maintain against all foes.
personal and crcumstanual the equal value Of
all the countrys money. So much at least as
that the platform on which he was elected de
mands, and so much there ought to be no diff
Guilty in obtaining from a patriotic Congress
The merits of Secretary Cages more elaborate
scheme Of currency revision are not universally
conceded by those who firmly approve his pur
pose and there Is admittedly little prospect Of
its passage. But there is no reason why ra-
tional men, In Congress and out. should not dis
cuss It's provisions in an impartial spirit with
desire to get at the truth instead Of smotherlng
their opinions on one side or the other through
fear or an "uproar now ana party disasters
hereafter.
The Republican party was strong last year,
and drew strength from other sources. because
1t had not been afraid to speak It's mind at It's
National Convention and set up a standard
which could be seen, rallied to and defended In
the open. In our opinion, the surest way 10
leopard what 1t then gained and invite worse
fate than It then escaped is to incur the reputa-
ton Of cowardice by evadlng an obligation
which may or may not include an opportunity.
Congress will not pass currency bill, It is
said. and there Will be nothing to show for an
agitation Of the subject. That is mistake
There Will be something to show for 1t II it Is
the record of an honest effort 10 keep faith with
the people.