The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-13
LESSONS OF AN ELECTION.
Democratic Success Depends on Dis
cardins the Frec-SilVer Issue.
TARIFF PRESENTS THE OPPORTUNITY.
Win the Free silver Question Out Of the
Way the Democrats Won in Kcpubli-
can stronghold., and with tho larin
as the Is.ue Victory Would
Come IN Democracy.

WASHINGTON, April Special. IT,
While IL has been contondcd by silver men
IN Washington and elsewhere that the
recent elections showing remarkable Dem
ocrauc gains indicates the continued
growth Of the silver sentiment throughout
the country. other Democrats. who real
lied that silver had nothing whatever TO
do with the results ia Chicago ana IN ONO
cities nevertheless, believe the vote was
significant Of the sohdity OF the SILVER
Democratic vote. and the cohesive chsr-
acter OF the Democratic organization.
There Is every reason 10 believe th"9
this view Of the SITUATION is "A correct one
and that IL should be followed 10 IT'S
logical conclusion boy the Dcmocrauc
leaders VINO viii nave more OF less iiii'"-
encc upon the ocstlnlcs OF the part! our
ing the next four years.
There Is very little doubt mat the hu-
clcus OF the democratic vote IN the i"H'
election was formed by the silver vote cast
Tor Bryan last NoNombcr hut IL was
strengthened by accessiOns from the SOUND
money wing of the Democratic party ana
from that large class Of ind = ndent Amer
icau citizens who cannot bee held by party
dies when questions Of right and wrong
are TO be- determined.
SOME or THE CAUSES.
The pendmg tariff bill. the corruption IA
local politics. where Republicans nave con-
trol. and other causes, entirely dS'lilcl
from feelings Of sympathy with the plat
form, adoptcd bv the Democrats at Cni-
cago. Influenced sufficient number OF
men 10 result i'm striking and forceiui
rebuke Of Republican green ana hepuD-
lican misrulc.
The question which naturally presents
itself 10 the few thinking Democrats VINO
are content 10 view things as they rcaIy
are. and not as their fancy pictures theh'
* how the accessions 10 the Democratic
ranks may be held and utilized 20 effect "a
general Democratic victory in 1900.
HOW NOT TO DO 1T.
II is unhestaunglv admitted by these
gentlemen that the advocacy OF free SILVER
will not do IT, Nor will the manifestation
Of a desire on the part Of the leaders TO
ioin issues with the Populists ana go
chasing i'm this company after merry will
o'-the-wisps over the bOttomless bog
lands of foolish legislative proposition.
Nor will attacks upon the Supreme Court
or the civil service or useful corporations
or any Of the institutions which have con-
tributed 10 the wealth and prosperous dc-
velopment of the American people. rms
was demonstrated last November. ana
emphasized I'm the last elections when
was shown that with silver entirely out
Of the considerations which caused men TO
vote either the Democratic or the Repuo-
Ucan ticket. the Democrats were victorious
in the very places that served as Repuo-
lcan strongholds hui few months ago.
GIVE Me SILVER
The opinion is therefore beginning 10
find expression even I'm Democratic cir
Giles and 10 gain respectful attention from
men who would formerly have pronounced
The doctrine Infamous herecy, That the
Democrats will stand a better chance of
success OF silver is RELOCATED TO the rear
and the tariff issue the Republicans have
themselves presented be acceptable as the
Immediate question 10 be determined by
the American people i'm electing their next
President
II there was any special significance
and importance in the speech delivered.
by Representative Bailey i'm the House
on Saturday. aside from the we'll dis
cussed rebuke to the members of his own
party which il contained II was his bold
and forceful declaration Of his willingness
10 accept the Republican challenge and 10
20 TO the country. with the proposed tariff
law and its consequences. as the issue TO
DE decided TO let the people judge be-
tween the wisdom which frames such
bin and the wisdom which opposes b.
MR.. BAILEY.
Mr. Bailey was an ardent believer I'm
free silver but he has seen that the silver
question has been forced from the minds
OF the people by the more important Ques-
ton Of unequal taxation and legislation
for SPECIAL interests lie has announced
that this is the question which must be
determined by the people Of the country.
tor
what policy the Democratic mcinbtrs Of
Congress may pursue. But while Mr..
Bailey and the other leaders OF Democrat
&C. sentiment In the House and Senate do
not say az much. they doubtless realize
that no verdict upon the tarin question
can be obtained. as long as an effort is
made 10 obscure that question by coup
ling II with proposition which the peo-
pie have already rejected.
SILVER IL THE MAJORITY.
II IS cOntended and much perplexity
and embarrassment is being caused there
by. that the silver forces form the ma
jority Of the Democratic organization:
that these forces as shown I'm the past
election are better organized. and more
potent. than IN last November and that
they must be regarded. as the faction
that will control the next convention.
This is unquestonably true. unless the
Democratic leaders themselves stem the
tide and prove their influence for good,
by trying 10 rectify some of the mistakes
OF the past. The country has been forced
10 take an apparent stand I'm favor Of
tariff robbery and class legislation. in or
der 10 avoid the dangers and disasters Of
deprecated money.
THE PEOPLE IN REVOLT
But the people are already I'm revolt
against the policy Of their chosen rulers.
The Democrats have only TO accept the
opportunity offered 10 secure success.
Tho time IS ripe for real Democratic
leaders and not for cheap politicians. and
the party and the country Is anXiOusly
awaiting their appearance. The move
ment must come from within the silver
forces. which will result in the adoption
Of a platform which the country can
accept Mr.. Bailey az has been seen,
has taken several strides in the right
direction. IL remains 10 be seen whe-
Their he will continue. and whether he can
prove himself a leader. instead of "a mere
member OF what is now a much-befogged