Birmingham state herald., 1897-06-23
AN UNwIsE SUGGESTION.

We regret very much to see that the Anniston Hot Blast. one of the most loyal silver papers in the state, has suggested eliminating the financial question from the next state contest. It would never do It would be working right into the hands of the enemies of silver Their plan. as outlined by the Montgomery Ad- vertiser few months ago, is first to get the next state convention to make some declaration that might be construed as weakening on the Chicago platform. rThey couldn't hope to get any open declaration against ito
 If they fail in this then the next effort would be to get the convention to make no declaration whatever on the financial question, ''so as to use the language of the Advertiser, "to influence the result in 1sO0.' TO ignore the financial question, therefore. would be exactly what the n-- mics of silver want. and would be used against the cause all over the nation, ana would bring sure defeat to the party in this state. The Montgomery Journal very ably points out the many reas.ns against the unwise suggestion of the Hot Blast in the following editorial
 There is no newspaper in the state more anxious for the party to get together ihdh Journal. IL WtnlS d lNuAlANNo p-Nf v but there is but one honorable and seN- respecting way for the party to get to- gether. and that Is for the minority to agree to submit to the majority and stand by the result, no matter what that result is If the~e are any who think that It world be a. sacrifice of principle to sup port a silver pla form if the majority or inc paJ-ty declars for it, then there Is but oue thing for such person to do, and that is to keep out of the democratic primaries
 ,,l t.. cerned it is thoroughly satisfied that the party will reaffirm the principles and nolieies of the party adopted al Chiclgo in 1896 It has no enrthly doubt on this question: but person who goes into the democratic primaries whether he be for gold or silver must he prepared for pa triotic acceptance of the result
 The Journal is unwilling, however, to gu as far as the Annistop Hot Blast pro- poses in order that the party may be aar- monized. The Hol Blast proposes to lg- nor-e ths financial question entirely in the next state campaign. The Journal does no; believe the Hot Blast speaks for amy body hut itself. The parry cannot afr ford to ignore this question. It Is fixed policy of th- party. The party has de- rlared through it's highest law making power for the free and unlimi' ed coina ge of both gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, and to ignore that fact would be eowa raly and making a concession to the a1l5 mics Ot Vne parry that WOulu use thousands of votes to the party. In fact, the white counties which have been re- deemed io democracy would go back to populism. and they ough' to go if such a policy. weak and imbecile, should be adopted by th@ party
 The Journal Is surprised that the Hot lasi would make such proposition. and does n,t believe II has duly considered what ig proposes.
 If the democratic party in Ala abamn wishes to r=tain control of the tate with our resornng 1o dishonest and disreput- able methods methods that have been a shame and disgrace to Ala ba ma in the past ii viii never put Itself on the de- fensiva by the display of such offensive weakness as proposed by the Hot Blast, but will fight with the boldness and az gressi iveness that have ever characterized an honest coura geous party and people In fighting for that which they believe to be right.
 The democracy of the country is for free silver Two1thirds of the peophs of Alabama are for free silver, and there need be on fear of clear cut fight on this oues ion before the people Not even ah- Montgomery moaning paper, as fool iSh and arrogant as t Is. would doubt the result for one moment on this ques- tlon.