New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-22
THE POLICY OF SILVER MEN.

The disposition of certain silver Senators not
20 obstruct the financial policy of the Repub-
Ncan party is evidence of patriotic good sense
or Of uncommon practical prudence. From the
patriotic point of view, every silver Senator, as
well as any other good citizen, must desire to
see the prosperity Of the people restored as
fully as possible. During the coming years, In
which no change Of National policy in favor Of
their opinions is within the range of possibility,
no good but much harm to public interests
could be accomplished by obstructing the free
working Of the policy upon which the people
decided last November. 1t does not matter how
erroneous that decision may seem to some
Senators. The issue was submitted at their
desire to the people, and II Is no longer patri-
otic to act as II popular verdict was entitled
TO no respect, or TO resist and strive to thwart
It at a time when no good but only harm can
be done by further agitation. When another
opportunity comes Of changing the policy Of the
Nation. a rehearing Of the case will be In order,
II It is then desired, but since no change Is
possible until another Presidential election II
Is right to give a free field and fair trial to
the policy which was chosen last year.
As matter Of practical shrewdness this is
the only course which offers to the silver men
cannot hope to succeed without the agricultu-
raj States Of the West This year those States
are rejoicing in a high degree of prosperity.
No appeal to popular discomfort can be made
at present In that section with as much pros
pcct Of success as there was last year. Any
attempt to renew agitation, and with that end
IN view to block the wheels Of government or
disorder the National finances, would meet this
tt,A Of mar fl,nuSa de
who zealousy supported free coinage a year
ago. 1t would be said, If these Republicans
ARE right and prosperity can come In their
''way, let II come. We want 1t, whatever the
'cause. There is no sense In hindering or i'm
pairing It, II the Republican policy proves
good only when big crops here and bad crops
abroad create abnormal conditions. then the
people will know how to decide" To that
reasoning there can be no answer worth max
ing, and 1t is obvious that the Republican pol
icy cannot be fairly tried II It Is baked and
blocked by interruption when no good but
only harm can be accomplished
1t IL not yet to be inferred by anybody TINT
the advocates Of free silver have changed their
opinions or permanently abandoned the field.
How many have been or will be changed in
opinion by years Of prosperity cannot be said,
but in any case many viii remain. They will
surely seize upon the first reaction in business,
the first failure Of crops at the West or general
embarrassment Of industries to push forward
their panacea for all financial Ills As surely
will they again be Joined by the Disconnected
and restless. OF every sort, the dsloyaI and the
revolutionary. 1t would be weakness to SIM
pose that this country has seen the last of such
attempts to destroy the Nations credit irnpair
the value Of proDerty, break down orfer ond
give the upper hand to the baser clements.
the Nations honor has not been defended for
the last time against appeals to personal greed.
But. this happens to be particularly bad year
for any such endeayor, and, even II the crops