The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-10

pretty well united. which the other,
also. is not.
We grant to those who are foremost
in the advocacy of free silver credit
for honesty. Believing them honest,
we would ask them two questions:
first, whether such treatment does not
require that they admit equal honesty
them; and, second, whether they think
that, to obtain another poll of the vot-
ers of st. Paul in the spring of 1898 on
a question having nothing to do with
the municipality, and one on which
they expressed their views in the fall
of 1896, is so great boon that it is
worth while, in order to secure it, to
throw away the offered control of the
government and local policy of this
city. AS we have already said, there
is no escape from these conditions, If
the blunder of raising an issue that di-
vides the Democratic forces is insisted
upon. Grant that the silver Democrats
tons on that point. Nobody at pres
ent has asked them to. 1t must be
granted, on the other side, that the
Democrats who believe in the gold
standard are equally fixed in their
opinions and position. They will not
change nor face about.
If there were any principles at stake,
the G o b e, which has dared much
and invited sacrifice for principles
sake, would not advise an honest man
to shun the conflict. But there is none.
The coming municipal election is as
completely divorced from national pol
tiles and national issues as if it oc-
CURED in a foreign country. To drag
in an issue on which Democrats
disagree is to serve the purpose of the
Republicans, who are hoping and
praying and secretly scheming for this
event, which they already understand
is their sole hope of salvation If this
issue is raised, if the Democratic party
is to go into local campaign, not on
the platform which the folly and wick
edness of the Republicans have fur
niahed it, and on which it must win
without an effort, but on one which
starts Immediately old feuds into life,
and to ask men to choose a mayor and
council for the city of St. Paul ac-
national policy once passed upon and
not to come before the people again
until another national election, then
we say plainly that a great victory is
thrown away. Mutual good feeling,
liberation and harmony, the only treat
ment which an honorable man will en-
dure, and the only treatment that he
has right to offer to another, are
needed today.
I'm essentials unity, in non essentials
charity" is a motto that could never
be applied more fifty than to the Dem
ocratic party and it's share in local
politics. The only questions that di-
vide Democrats are, as far as our city
government is concerned, wholly, alb
solutely, conspicuously and even ridicu-
lousy non-essential. When the time
comes to take up those questions, Dem
ocrats will meet each other as thew
may; in a spirit of harmony and cor,
promise, or in a spirit of stern defiance
that will fight out their differences to
the bitter end. Be this as it may. But
until that time does come, when the
assurance of success is placed inviting
~ before us and we are asked only to
cooperate for rescuing our own local
affairs from the incompetent and dis
graceful hands that hold them. to fall
to squabbling among ourselves over
things that have no relation to the is
sue is politically both a blunder and
a crime.
The facts in a few words, then. are
these. The people of st. Paul are ready
and anxious of their own volition to
turn over the control of the city to the
Democratic party. The only thing that
can prevent this is dissension among
the Democrats such as will divide their
forces and drive away the hundreds of
Republicans eager to cooperate with
them. There is no ground for disagree
ment on local issues; and none posi-
bic on any issues unless, in obedience
to the sly suggestions of Republican
wire pullers, Democrats should insist
upon making a local campaign in 1898
on the platform of national campaign
in 1896. If that is DONE then the worst
candidate whom the Republicans can
nominate will be elected, and Demo-
cratic success made impossible, not
only for next year, but for many a
year to come. If the ranks are closed
up and we fight shoulder to shoulder
for what there is at stake, agreeing to
settle other questions when they shall
arise, the battle is already won.