New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-17
H1TLTNG DOWN THE SILVER FLAG

More than local significance attaches to the
refusal of the Democratic State Committee TO
revive the free silver coinage issue for use in
the approaching State campaign. Despite the
air of ingcnuousness given TO the committees
discovery that it was clearly without authority
TO write a party PLATFORM its failure TO express
last Wednesday even the smallest opinion on
public questions bears all the earmarks of de-
lberate and studied policy. Moreover. the
plausible excuses for lodging a reaffirmaton Of
the Chicago platform so obligingly furnished to
Senator Murphy by Chairman Jones of the Dem
Ocratic National Committee fail wholly to OBJ
scure the main fact that the Democratic or
ganiza1On in the foremost State of the Union
practically hauled down the silver flag when by
policy of inaction and silence. il committed
itself TO conducting a State campaign on lines
which virtually ignore the declarations accepted
year ago as Democratic faith by the National
Convention at Chicago.
Mr. Jones is an accommodating letter-wrcr
and has more than once shown disposition to
condone in certain Eastern Democratic leaders
respondent lukewarmness in the cause of sill
yer. But personal good feeling must have led
him sadly astray when he gave his official sane
ton to the non-commIal programme which the
managers of the Democratic State machine sue
cefuen III loftllg IdSt NtuHtSu1! tHIUuRH 'He
State Committee For though to Mr. Jones's
mind partial surring over in this and other
Eastern States of the issues on which the Dem
ocratic National campaign of 1896 was lost may
have commended itself as both prudent and
polite. IL nevertheless seems strange 10 find the
acknowledged head of the Democratic National
organization lending his countenance to a pro-
gramme whose obvious purpose is to minimize
the importance of the free-coinage issue in Dem
ocratic politics. and TO eliminate, If possible
from the approaching canvass all reference TO
the proiitess and dangerous questions which
under the Roy Orator of Nebraska'S reckless
leadership had year ago been forced TO the
front with such disastrous consequences
The negative and hedging policy adopted by
the State Committee seems to have been agreed
on mutually by Senator Edward Murphy. repre-
sentng the element in the party which freely
supported Mr.. Bryan in last years canvass and
by ex-senator David B. Hill. representing the
element which held aloOf 10 the very end from
the Nebraskan's candidacy. That the latter
leader still smartng under the sting of his de-
feat at Chicago and his subsequen, enforced
retirement from the National campaign looks
on the successful shuntng of the Chicago plat
form in the approaching canvass as first step
toward its ultimate reputation and a return TO
Sounder democratic PiIHcipies u more IMAM
probable To him the silver streamer of 1896
has never been a genuine emblem Of Democ-
racy. and his arm has long been poised to strike
the blow which should send 1t futtering from
the standard
Senator Murphy's assent to the negative pro-
gramme put through the State Committee was
doubtless influenced by his desire TO secure a
maximum Of harmony in the Democratic ranks
and thus smooth the path Of his almost hopeless
candidacy for reelection to the United States
Senate Something, too, Of his changed attitude
toward the silver cause may be credited TO the
example and influence of Senator German, of
Maryland who Of all the Eastern Democratic
leaders has most successfully and consistently
maintained an attitude Of mingled frmness and
cancellation toward the radical Western and
Southern elements In the party which so VIC